ABSTRACT
The time spent either waiting to feel ready to try again or for conception to occur can be difficult and fraught with mixed emotions. If the couple are actively trying to conceive, each month can be a rollercoaster of hope, optimism, anxiety and despair when the woman’s period arrives. There are numerous ideas and theories about what constitutes an ideal preconception diet, and for some women this will be an area in which they want to become proactively involved, and they will benefit from this positive engagement. Up to 30% of pregnant women smoke during their pregnancy, and as smoking is one of the unquestionable risk factors for miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, preterm delivery, fetal growth retardation and stillbirth, it is essential that women stop smoking and using any recreational drugs when trying to conceive. The most effective way of stopping smoking at present appears to be a combination of behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
