When to start a family?

My husband and I are planning to start a family next year, when is best to start preparations?

• Gosh the question doesn't leave much room, I suppose that's what this section is for... Okay well my husband is currently deployed and we have been talking about starting a family when he comes home next March. He also has a R&R in December that we plan on spending in Hawaii... Neither of us have any sort of intention of using any birth control during his R&R (with hopes of what may come) and although it's only 2 weeks, I don't want to hurt any potential pregnancy. So I'm wondering when should I start taking precautions and what precautions should I take? What do I need to do to give us the optimal chance of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy and baby? This will be my first time conceiving (hopefully) and we both have active physical lives that involve exercising regularly.

• Answer:

  Start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start 'actively' trying. The greatest need for prenatals is actually before you even realize that you are pregnant. Get as healthy as you can. Keep up the exercise, eat right, avoid alcohol and other toxins. Start tracking your cycles. You are probably most fertile about 10-14 days after the first day of your period. When you ovulate, your cervical mucus will change (lots more of it and kind of 'slippery.') Take notice of when your mucus changes so you know that is your most fertile time. Oh, and start saving as much money as you can to prepare for the things you will need for baby.