A:Conception is a complex activity involving many systems in your body and in your partner’s body. In order to better prepare your body for conception, there are three areas you need to focus on. They are:

1. Diet: You and your partner should eat regularly, ingesting healthy foods that do not contain preservatives and hormones. Also, you should drink more water. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, and do not drink coffee. Weight is also a problem, especially for men. If this is an issue for your partner, advise him to lose some of the extra weight.

2. Energy: It is essential that your rest and sleeping patterns are coordinated to give you the optimum energy balance. You should get at least 8 hours of sleeping per day, and go to sleeping before 11pm. You should not do strenuous exercises, including aerobics, bicycling, or running. In general, any activity that induces adrenalin may also increase androgenic hormones and create imbalances in your body.

3. Emotions: You need to remain calm and avoid excess emotions of all kinds. Meditate regularly, though I would caution against too strong a stimulation with some of the qigong meditations. These tend to strongly stimulate the energy pathways and may have an adverse effect. Your menstruation is directly related to your liver (according to traditional Chinese medicine), which is also directly tied to your emotional state.

I strongly advise you to consult a licensed practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, who can advise and prescribe dietary and herbal preparations.