Preparing for pregnancy

[idly_enjoys]

What length of time should you take to prepare for pregnancy - by not drinking alcohol etc?

[redcrx]

not drinking or smoking, stop as soon as you start trying to conceive. Both partners too, as it can affect the mans ability to father children.

also take folic acid as you start and until 12th week of pregnancy.

[Ice.Maiden]

I agree, although in today's paper I read that alcohol within reason DOESN'T have any bearing on an unborn child. Whether it hampers conception or not, I don't know, but there are plenty of people walking about who were conceived after a drunken night out! Smoking's a different thing altogether though, as cigarettes contains thousands of toxins.

[redcrx]

of course youre right IM but if seriously considering and preparing for a baby then the 'ideal' would be to cut out alcohol and cigarettes.