Vitamins

Men and women can both maximise their chances for conception by making sure they’re getting the right combination of vitamins.

For women, folic acid and vitamin D are recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).

Also, make sure you avoid an excess of vitamin A in foods or supplements, as it can cause problems in the developing foetus - high doses are found in liver and liver products such as pâté.

For men, zinc is essential (100-200mg, daily). It’s reported to increase sperm count and motility as well as testosterone levels. Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis and L-carnitine improves sperm quality. Vitamin C is said to stop sperm sticking together, giving them more chance of reaching that egg.