Deciding to have a baby: how to make the most of the first six months 

Starting a family is a life-changing decision. When you decide, you want to maximise your chance of a healthy pregnancy. In this article we discuss how to make the most of the first six months after deciding to get pregnant, including: paying attention to your health; planning ahead; and considering the best fertility supplements if you need help to get pregnant. 

Deciding when to have a baby 

Many women in the UK start thinking about getting pregnant in their late 20s to early 30s. But the age at which they move from considering pregnancy to actively pursuing it varies widely. On average, women in the UK spend from several months up to a year seriously considering the decision before actively trying. 

Many women who decide to have children are in their mid to late 30s. In fact, in 2020, 44,000 babies were born to first-time mothers over the age of 35, representing 17% of all births among first-time mothers. Including mothers with previous children, 152,000 (25%) births were to women over 35. 

Importance of the first six months after you decide 

Deciding to have a baby is a major milestone. The state of your finances, career, relationship, housing, and support networks are all important factors in determining your readiness to start a family. For some, time is of the essence and so taking well-informed and deliberate action in the first six months is crucial. 

How to make the most of the first six months 

Preparing to start a family is best done in close collaboration with your partner and support networks.  

1. Deciding when to seek help 

• Determine how long to try conceiving naturally before you seek medical help. 
• The NHS says it’s a good idea to see your doctor if you haven’t conceived after a year of trying. It recommends that women over 36, and anyone who knows they have fertility problems, should see their GP sooner. 

2. Preparing medically 

• Schedule a preconception health check with your doctor to assess your overall health, screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and review any medicine you take. 
• Begin prenatal supplements. 
• Make lifestyle changes: quit smoking, reduce alcohol intake, improve diet, manage stress, and start regular exercise. 
• Manage any chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disorders. 
• Consider family history and genetic testing. 

3. Fertility planning 

• Understand your menstrual cycle length, the days when you are fertile windows, and signs you are ovulating. 
• Track ovulation and time intercourse using apps, ovulation tests, or natural family planning methods. This will increase your chances of getting pregnant. 

4. Working with your partner 

• Discuss timing, assisted reproductive technologies, your parenting values, how you will divide the work, and future roles. 
• Have your partner tested for sperm quality and STIs. 
• Discuss your plans for your finances, the birth, childcare, and potential time off work. 

5. Building a support network 

• Talk to family, friends, doulas, therapists, or parenting groups for the emotional and practical support you will need. 

6. Work and financial planning 

• Plan for maternity/paternity leave, childcare, and long-term work-life balance. 
• Review insurance and healthcare access. 
• Organise your finances for the changes ahead. 

Preparing your body 

Preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy is one of your most important jobs, and takes the longest. The importance of preparing early cannot be overstated. 

Key areas to focus on: 

• Become as physically and mentally healthy as you can: quit smoking, avoid alcohol and other substances, maintain a healthy weight, and take steps to support your wellbeing. 
• Diagnose and manage any underlying medical conditions that could impact pregnancy. 
• Follow a healthy, balanced diet and think about whether you need to start supplements.  

Choosing the best natural fertility supplement 

Clinical evidence shows that women trying to conceive benefit from folic acid, antioxidants, and supplements to support their hormone balance. When you are choosing which supplements to take, the following are important things to think about. 

Folic acid: 

• Choose bioactive forms of folic acid such as 5-MTHF, L-methylfolate, or Quatrefolic. 
• Up to half of women in the UK cannot effectively process synthetic folic acid, so bioactive forms are more effective. 

Support to regulate hormones: 

• Hormones regulate all the key areas of pregnancy: ovulation, fertilisation, implantation, and early embryonic development. 
• Risk factors such as stress, obesity, exposure to toxins, and insulin resistance can disrupt our hormone balance, especially as we age. 
• Two natural ingredients with strong evidence for how they increase fertility are: 

Inositols. Myo inositol and D-chiro-inositol are naturally-occurring sugars which regulate hormones essential to fertility. Taken together at a precise dose of 3.6:1 they have been shown to triple pregnancy rates and quadruple live births in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. They do this by improving regular ovulation, the healthy function of the ovaries and the development of eggs. 

 Omega-3 fatty acids. Improve insulin sensitivity (high insulin can harm the body’s ability to ovulate) and reduce inflammation. 

In addition:

Antioxidants: 

Help protect developing eggs in the ovaries (oocytes) from damage. Examples include Vitamins E & C, Coenzyme Q10, Polyphenols (such as Pomanox®, a pomegranate extract), Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Flavonoids. 

Vitamins and Minerals: 

B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12), Vitamin D3, selenium, zinc, and iodine are typically included in prenatal supplements. 

In summary: look for supplements containing:

• bioactive folic acid (5-MTHF, L-methylfolate, Quatrefolic)
• Myo and D-chiro inositols in the precise dose of 3.6:1 and 
• antioxidants. 

Ovosicare® Fertility supplement 

Ovosicare® Fertility is an all-in-one fertility supplement designed to support conception by including all the key ingredients mentioned above. 

• Contains the scientifically proven ‘golden ratio’ of 3.6:1 Myo inositol to D-chiro inositol, which improves pregnancy and live birth rates. 
• Includes Quatrefolic®, a bioactive and easily absorbed form of folic acid. 
• The only fertility supplement containing Pomanox®, a powerful antioxidant extracted from fresh pomegranate. 
• Contains all essential vitamins and minerals for fertility support. 

Where can I get Ovosicare® Fertility supplement? 

You can buy Ovosicare® Fertility through LivBio.co.uk. Since its launch in 2020, Ovosicare® Fertility has helped over 170,000 women internationally and is widely used in France and Spain. It is now available in the UK via LivBio. You can also order it at pharmacies.
 
For optimal results, it is recommended to take Ovosicare® Fertility for approximately three to six months.