The real key for how to conceive a child is for both partners to work together.
This means more than simply having sex.
Yes, it's true, the male role in conception really doesn't start and end with the sexual act.
Your partner has far more to do with it than you or even he probably knows.
Firstly, during this time of need your partner really has to be even more supportive than usual, not just to care for you but genuinely to improve both your scientific chances of conceiving.
Relationship difficulties are the number one cause of stress in modern society - divorce having been cited as THE number one most stressful life event.
And stress has an extremely detrimental effect on both female and male fertility.
You must work on having a healthy and supportive relationship at this time.
If you are stressed at work, your partner should also make an extra effort to sooth you.
This doesn't mean you have to be treated like a queen, but you really must make sure you are relaxed.
Do not underestimate the power of human touch! It is proven to release the hormone oxytocin, known as the love hormone, which strengthens pair bonding and powerfully relaxes us.
It also generates endorphins which make us feel happy and this, in turn, reduces the negative effects of the stress hormone cortisol.
The science of how to conceive a child is an extremely complicated one, but what is known is that when a female is relaxed during the sexual act she her body is more like to be 'welcoming' towards the sperm.
The action of how this works is unclear, but the cervical mucous can change its consistency, and the uterine contractions that 'suck' sperm in can be more or less strong.
Your partner must also make sure his reproductive organs are functioning at their best.
This means major changes in lifestyle for some men.
Alcohol, recreational drugs and smoking should all be avoided as they can have a truly disastrous effect on male fertility.
Up until conception, it is really best if you partner avoids alcohol and smoking entirely.
Even a small amount of alcohol (the equivalent of two drinks a day) can negatively affect his sperm count by as much as 20%, while smoking causes the loss of libido and erectile dysfunction that makes pregnancy impossible! It also proves to be a great incentive for both partners to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you do it together.
Remember, you want to avoid all sources of conflict and stress at this time, and you should remind your partner that having to give up many of the things you enjoy in life is difficult if you are doing it alone.
Both you and your partner should adopt a healthy diet that includes plenty of folic acid, vitamin C and zinc.
Folic acid is essential for fertility in both males and females, and essential for the healthy development of a foetus.
A folic acid deficiency, meanwhile, can result in birth defects.
Vitamin C has been proven to improve a woman's chances of getting pregnant, while zinc has a powerful regulatory effect on a man's hormones that keep his libido functioning at a healthy level, and keep his sperm count high.
Zinc deficiency, meanwhile, can have a serious negative effect on semen volume and sperm count, due to the loss of testosterone it creates.
Low levels of this have also been shown to have a negative effect on the body's ability to absorb folic acid.
You can see that it's not just the woman who has to take care of herself in order to conceive at this important time!