Even if you haven't hit any fertility roadblocks, a basic pre-conception physical is a good idea. Some pre-existing health conditions can be aggravated or significantly worsened by pregnancy. Your doctor will probably conduct a pelvic exam and order some basic blood tests. Some disorders you'll want to catch before pregnancy include: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can interfere with ovulation. Endometriosis, which can generally inhibit fertility. Diabetes: If you can catch and manage diabetes before conceiving, you'll be able to avoid birth defects commonly associated with the disease. Thyroid disease: Like diabetes, thyroid disease is relatively non-threatening to your pregnancy as long as it's diagnosed and well-managed. Studies demonstrate that clinically obese women have a harder time conceiving and they may also have more problems during pregnancy. However, being underweight can also negatively affect your ability to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about what would be a healthy weight for you and work on losing or gaining weight before you try to become pregnant. Women who are clinically underweight (with a BMI under 18.5) might stop menstruating altogether, which can make it even harder to conceive. Starting before you get pregnant will build up the necessary nutrients in your system for a developing embryo. For example, taking folic acid supplements before trying to conceive may reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Choose a prenatal vitamin or ask your doctor to prescribe one. Taking folic acid supplements has also been shown to have a positive impact on fertility, so start taking folic acid supplement daily before you plan to become pregnant. A healthy diet can help to boost your fertility and improve your chances of conception. Eat a diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some good choices include: Lean proteins: skinless chicken breast, lean ground beef, tofu, and beans Whole grains: brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, and oatmeal Fruits: apples, oranges, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and melon Vegetables: broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, cabbage, and kale Men should take a multi-vitamin that contains vitamin E and vitamin C, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, fat, and sugar intake. Men should also make sure they get plenty of selenium (55mcg per day), as selenium is suspected to increase fertility particularly in men. . Not only is lighting up while you're pregnant a bad idea, it can hinder your chances of conceiving in the first place. Giving up an addiction while you're pregnant can be extra stressful, so save yourself some suffering by quitting beforehand. Keep in mind that second-hand smoke can also affect your odds of conceiving. Avoid spending time around smokers to reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke. Even having 1 drink per day can decrease your fertility. To ensure that you have the best possible chance of conceiving, do not drink alcohol at all. If you do have a drink in moderation while you are trying to conceive, make sure that you do not exceed one drink. Having more than two drinks significantly decreases a woman's fertility. Your partner should also limit their alcohol intake since alcohol can decrease sperm counts and it may also affect the quality of the sperm. This includes caffeine from food, such as chocolate, and drinks, such as coffee, tea, and cola. Women who drink more than 3 cups of a caffeinated beverage daily are significantly less likely to get pregnant compared to women who consume 2 cups or less. 1 cup (240 mL) of coffee has about 100mg of caffeine, so do not drink more than 2 cups (580 mL) of coffee daily. Tea and cola have less caffeine, but this can still add up if you drink too much. Limit yourself to no more than 2 caffeinated beverages daily to ensure that you are not exceeding your daily limit. Once your body is prepared for conception, stop using your birth control. If you are taking hormonal birth control it may take 2 to 3 months before you start ovulating normally again and you are able to become pregnant. However, if you are only using a barrier method of birth control, then you may become pregnant right away. If you have an intra-uterine device (IUD), then you will need to see your gynecologist to have it removed before you can get pregnant again. If it's a struggle for either you or your partner to get interested in sex, you might find it difficult to conceive. A qualified reproductive medicine professional or sex therapist can help you overcome these issues as a couple. Try not to let infertility to strain your relationship. The pressure to conceive, as well as invasive and emotionally stressful fertility treatments, can actually lead to sexual dysfunction and make getting pregnant even harder.

Summary:
Get a pre-natal checkup. Get to your target weight before you get pregnant. Take pre-natal vitamins. Follow a whole foods diet to increase fertility. Encourage your partner to eat foods that promote sperm health. Quit smoking Stop drinking to maximize your chances of conceiving. Limit your caffeine to no more than 200 mg per day. Stop using birth control. See a reproductive medicine professional or sex therapist if needed.