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Lifestyle habits are important too. It is important to avoid or reduce consumption of tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol (moderate wine is okay until conception). Get light exercise, and morning sunshine every day possible. Take alternating hot and cold showers to stimulate circulation and glandular secretions throughout the body. Apply alternating hot and cold compresses to the abdomen or scrotum to increase circulation to the reproductive areas. Herbs and other nutritional supplements are valuable for both men and women trying to conceive a child.

Optimal Eating for Two During Pregnancy. A woman's body changes so dramatically during pregnancy and childbearing that her normal daily needs change. Promise yourself and your baby that at least during the months of pregnancy and nursing, your diet and lifestyle will be as healthy as you can make it. A largely vegetarian diet of whole foods provides optimum nutrition for pregnancy. Many staples of a lactovegetarian, seafood and poultry diet are nutritional powerhouses, such as whole grains, leafy greens, fish, turkey, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, green and yellow vegetables, nutritional yeast, bananas and citrus fruits. You can base your pregnancy diet on these foods with confidence that the baby will be getting the best possible nutrition.

Here are the Keys:

Protein is important. Most experts currently recommend 60 to 80 grams of protein daily during pregnancy, with a 10 gram increase every trimester. Eat a high vegetable protein diet, with whole grains, seeds and sprouts, with fish, seafood or turkey at least twice a week. Take a protein drink several times a week for optimal growth and energy. Even though protein requirements increase during pregnancy, it is the quality of the protein, not the quantity that prevents and cures toxemia.
Have a fresh fruit or salad every day.
Eat plenty of soluble fiber foods like whole grains and vegetables for regularity.
Eat complex carbohydrates foods like broccoli and brown rice for strength.
Drink plenty of healthy fluids-pure water, mineral water and juices throughout the day to keep the system free and flowing. Carrot juice at least twice a week is ideal. Include pineapple and apple juice frequently.
Eat folacin rich foods, such as fresh spinach and asparagus for healthy cell growth.
Eat carotene rich foods such as carrots, squashes, tomatoes, yams and broccoli for disease.
Eat zinc rich foods, such as pumpkin and sesame seeds for good body formation.
Eat vitamin C foods such as broccoli, bell peppers and fruits for connective tissue.
Eat bioflavonoid rich foods, like citrus and berries for capillary integrity.
Eat alkalizing foods, such as miso soup and brown rice to combat and neutralize toxemia.
Eat mineral rich foods such as sea veggies, leafy greens and whole grains for baby building blocks. Especially include silicon rich foods for bone, cartilage and connective tissue growth, and for collagen and elastin formation; brown rice, oats green grasses and green drinks.
Eat small frequent meals instead of large ones.

Article from 'How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist' by Linda Rector Page, N.D., Ph.D.