Fertility was voted one of your major concerns in Australia’s Biggest Health Check Survey, so Priceline enlisted the expertise of one of the nation’s most eminent fertility experts, Dr. Devora Lieberman.

A principal doctor with Sydney’s IVF Miscarriage Management Program, Dr Devora Lieberman completed her residency at George Washington University and earned a Masters Degree in Public Health from Harvard. She runs a practice focusing on infertility and miscarriage, particularly for women over 40; has been a Visiting Medical Officer at Royal North Shore Hospital’s Menopause Clinic since 1998 and is currently President of Family Planning NSW.

Talking fertility

Dr. Devora Lieberman shares her expert tips on conceiving.

Priceline: Trying to fall pregnant can be stressful. What can women do to improve their chances?

Dr. Devora: Try to relax and don’t get caught up in monitoring your cycle and timing intercourse. If you’re regular, then you’re ovulating 14 days before your period starts.  Sperm will survive for at least 3 days in the tube, well and truly capable of fertilising an egg. An egg only has about a 12-hour window in which it can be fertilised, so you want the sperm to be waiting for the egg. You can’t have too much sex, but it’s best to have intercourse every day or every other day from about day 9 of a 28-day cycle, through to about day 18, just to be sure to cover an unpredictably short or long cycle.

Priceline: There are so many sources of information regarding fertility and pregnancy, what do you recommend?

Dr. Devora: What to Expect Before You’re Expecting has just been published in an Australian version, so that’s a good place to start.  Most IVF clinics have pretty good websites as well.

Priceline: We all know that alcohol should be avoided when you’re trying to fall pregnant, but is there anything else that should be avoided?

Dr. Devora: Definitely cigarettes and illicit drugs. Soft cheeses are pasteurised in Australia, so they are generally OK. More than 3 cups of caffeine a day can also increase the time to conception.

Priceline: How can you prevent stretch marks?

Dr. Devora: It really depends on collagen production, but it’s best to try and avoid rapid gain or loss of weight.

Priceline: What are your top tips for a healthy pregnancy?

Dr. Devora: Eat everything in moderation, and remember you’re not eating for two!

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