Getting pregnant can be challenging enough at the best of times. 

And, given what’s going on across the planet right now, it’s arguably never been trickier. The prevailing sense of anxiety and dread doesn’t exactly make for the sort of relaxed environs that can help with conception.

It’s why BALANCE picked the brains of several experts to help in any way possible. Because, the truth is, getting pregnant isn’t easy. Yet there are steps you can take to hopefully help you along the way. 

“Although trying for a baby should be fun, if you’ve found yourself trying for longer than expected, it may start to take a toll on your relationship,” explains Dr Phil Boyle from Neo Fertility. “Try to actively invest in your relationship, by taking the time to do the things you both enjoy and make sure you talk to each other about how you feel.”

The importance of nutrition is a recurring theme, as Dr Boyle adds: “Nutrition is essential to conception, so even if you have a healthy, balanced diet, invest in a good quality vitamin for you and your partner. 

“I would always recommend taking a supplement with a comprehensive formulation; women should make sure that they take something that includes B vitamins and magnesium as well as folic acid, whilst men should ensure they are boosting the quality of their sperm with selenium and arginine.”

When it comes to nutrition, Laura Dowling – better known as Fabulous Pharmacist, says: “You want your body to be in the best in the best possible condition ready for conception so it’s advisable to start preparations by both you and your partner taking a comprehensive conception multivitamin a few months before you start trying to help correct any nutritional deficiencies. This is especially important for Folic Acid.”

And improving nutrition is possible with easy, quick wins. Given we’ve been on lockdown, many of us have chugged on coffee first thing to wake ourselves up, before knocking back alcohol as a means of unwinding later on. And Laura says one step to curb this is to act as if you’re pregnant: “This might sound odd but by following some of the lifestyle rules you’ll adopt once are pregnant like cutting back on caffeine and alcohol you’ll actually help your chances of getting pregnant.  Eat well, sleep well and party a little less.”

And, finally, nutritionist Gaye Godkin adds: “As a nutritionist working in the area of fertility, I recognise the need to use a nutritional supplement to support conception. 

“Formulations containing vital nutrients that are important to support a healthy conception are available now. 

“I highly recommend to any man or woman who is considering having a baby to take a good fertility supplement.”

And one such supplement is Proceive, which provides the right nutrients at the appropriate levels, using clinical data from more than 600 scientific studies on key nutrients that support the processes involved in fertility. Each ingredient is delivered at the optimal strength in highly absorbable forms. These formulas have also been created with modern living in mind – and that means stress, a lack of sleep, poor diet and having children later in life. 

Available from Boots and Holland and Barrett, in-store and online. Find out more at proceive.co.uk