What can I do to improve my chances?

1. A healthy diet: to achieve and maintain a sensible weight for your height. While trying to become pregnant, we recommend that you take additional folic acid (0.5mg per day), and an iodine supplement, available without prescription at any chemist.

2. Do not smoke: smoking reduces the chance of you having a successful pregnancy and is harmful to your health generally. We encourage you and your partner, if you smoke, to give up before you begin any fertility treatment.

3. Abstain from alcohol: during treatment, it is advisable to abstain from drinking alcohol. Males should be particularly aware that excess alcohol might reduce sperm quality.

4. Educate yourselves about the program by reading and asking as much as possible. We encourage you to join ACCESS (a brochure is available).

Please remember however that each couple's situation is different and it is not always relevant to compare details of your treatment with other patients.