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Part of our connection to nature is having babies. And part of having babies is being responsible for the health and wellbeing of the child. That responsbility starts before pregancy. By having healthy bodies and a healthy lifestyle for the parents, those genetic and physical gifts will be passed on to the child. Habits established as part of your family values will also continue to provide healthy shelter, food, exercise and community for children as they join the family and become part of its natural sustainability.

With everyone on "celebrity pregnancy watch" these days, it's easy to catch the baby fever. There is one sure fact that doesn't require debate: no matter who you are, certain lifestyle changes can help you get pregnant sooner and also help safeguard the health of your unborn child.

Getting Pregnant

The experts at First Response have advice for all women who are either thinking about getting pregnant or actively trying to conceive. They say you can increase your chances of getting pregnant and delivering a healthy baby by following a few simple and common sense rules of thumb.

Try to Pinpoint Your Most Fertile Time. Now there's an easy and accurate way to determine when you'll be ovulating -- First Response(R) Easy-Read Ovulation Test. It is more than 98 percent accurate in laboratory studies in determining the two days you're most likely to ovulate. This over-the-counter at-home test kit detects your body's luteinizing hormone (LH) surge which indicates that ovulation is going to occur in the next 24 to 36 hours. If you have intercourse within this 24 to 36 hour window, you should maximize your chances of getting pregnant.

Healthy Living for Healthy Babies

You And Your Partner Should Just Say No! Try not to smoke or drink alcohol during your pregnancy. Smoking increases your risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature placental detachment, vaginal bleeding, premature delivery and infant death.

Eat Right, Right Now. If your eating habits are less than healthy, you need to change as soon as possible. A doctor and/or nutritionist can help put you on the right track. Starting healthy eating habits before getting pregnant will help you through your pregnancy -- and throughout your lifetime!

Caffeine: Cut It Back or Cut It Out. While having one or two cups of coffee a day won't hurt your baby, some researchers say too much caffeine may lead to low-birthweight babies. So don't overdo it. Or don't do it at all -- choose decaf beverages instead.

Take Folic Acid. Folic acid can help reduce the risk of serious birth defects that could affect the brain and spinal cord. Such damage can occur to the fetus even before a woman knows she is pregnant. Because of this, the FDA recommends all women of child-bearing age take folic acid.

Meet With Your Doctor For Early Prenatal Care. If you haven't chosen a practitioner yet, it's important to do so now as it can often take some time. Prenatal care is absolutely essential for you and your baby's health. The sooner you go to see a medical professional the better, as you will be screened for certain conditions that could lead to complications.

Relax and Just Do It! Try not to let the hectic pace of modern life stress you out. The more you do to relieve stress, the more your body is apt to ovulate normally. There's a lot to be said for spontaneity -- it's not only more exciting but it takes the pressure off both of you. Let nature take its course.

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