It isn't just you that needs to get your body ready. Share these tips with your partner to help the process along...

Dear Future Daddy

Now that we're planning our family, it is important to get our bodies in ship-shape condition to improve our chances of conceiving a child.. The way that you and I eat, and live our lives in the months leading up to conception will affect the future health of our baby.

I have to make lots of lifestyle changes, and I need you to make a few changes too. These tips will help you and I create a healthy new life.

I need you to cut back or cut out alcohol. Some fertility experts feel as much as 40% of male fertility problems are linked to excessive alcohol consumption.

Stop smoking. Smoking affects your sperm count. Also, children born into smoking households are likely to suffer from health problems and be smaller in birth weight.

We need to eat organic food as much as possible. It will be more expensive, but it's worth it for our baby. Organic foods do not have pesticides and other poisons that can affect our immune system and general well-being.

We need to drink from glass bottles. Chemicals in plastics have been linked to reduced reproductive function!

We should eat foods with plenty of zinc and folate! Oysters are packed with zinc. Foods such as red meat, wholemeal bread, fish, shellfish, dairy foods, bran cereals, and beans also contain good levels of these minerals. We could also try taking supplements.

We need to rearrange your underwear drawer! Y-Fronts are not the best type of undergarments if you want to start a family. You'll need to wear full cotton boxer shorts and avoid hot places such as saunas, spa baths, hot baths and long periods of sitting still.

I'd like you to try to keep electronic devices away from your lap. Mobile phones should not go into your trouser pockets and laptops are best placed on a table top rather than your lap. Radiation can affect sperm quality and the warmth from the laptop can raise your temperature significantly.

Starting a family is a big decision. Our future children are worth these sacrifices. Our child  will be such a precious gift - a few changes in the short term that will positively affect his or her future can only be good.

Can't wait to get practising!

Love Future Mummy

By Rachel Goodchild

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