Women
Quit smoking. Smoking in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth and low birth weight. It has effects into toddlerhood and childhood, too, mainly by increasing the risk of respiratory illness.
Cut back on your drinking. Heavy drinking is out, but there's evidence that moderate drinking can improve fertility, probably by inducing more sex.
Look at your weight. Not being overweight helps conception and makes pregnancy more comfortable. A carefully monitored weight-loss diet can be safe during pregnancy and is sometimes advised for women who are seriously overweight, but always check with your doctor. Being underweight can make you less fertile, while being overweight puts you at greater risk of complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy.
Take a folic acid supplement. Folic acid - sometimes called folate - is an important B vitamin that's been shown to prevent neural tube defects (NTD) such as spina bifida. It's recommended that you start taking a supplement before you start trying to conceive, as NTDs occur in early pregnancy. The recommended dose is 400 micrograms a day. Folic acid is also found in dark green vegetables, oranges, wholewheat breads and breakfast cereals.
Have sex... and often!
It may sound obvious, but regular sex increases your chance of getting pregnant. Work out your most fertile time and ensure you make love every day around those dates.
Women mostly ovulate once during each cycle, and the most likely time for conception is 14 days before your next menstrual period is due. Also check your vaginal discharge - it will have a gluey consistency when you're at your most fertile.