How to get pregnant

Fertility Specialist Kristin Bendikson, MD, explains the best methods for women to prepare their body when they are planning on becoming pregnant
How To Best Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy
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How to get pregnant

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In preparing for pregnancy, there are lots of small things that you can do to get your body ready. You can make sure you take your prenatal vitamins, that you have enough folic acid. That you've talked to your doctor, and if you have any medical issues, that those are taken care of and managed adequately before you can try and get pregnant. There are also some genetic diseases related to ethnicity that you may want to have checked, in your particular family, to make sure that you don't have them, before you decide to have a baby. However, there isn't much you can do to extend the fertility of your ovaries. Your ovaries have a set number of eggs and the lifespan of your ovaries is really set in stone. You can't extend that at all. However, you can improve your chances if you use advance reproductive techniques. If you are significantly underweight or overweight, that can diminish your fertility potential. If you overweight, we've seen a decrease in fertility rates, and an increase in miscarriage. In those settings, it is important to increase your exercise and modify your nutritional intake. For those women who are significantly underweight, they will lose their periods and they will stop ovulating. You won't start ovulating again until you either improve your nutritional intake or you diminish how much exercise you are doing.

Fertility Specialist Kristin Bendikson, MD, explains the best methods for women to prepare their body when they are planning on becoming pregnant

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Kristin Bendikson, MD

Fertility Specialist

Dr. Kristin A. Bendikson joined USC Fertility after finishing her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Harvard Medical School and completing her subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the internationally renowned Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Cornell University Medical College. During that time, she received intensive training in ovulation induction, in vitro fertilization and fertility surgery, as well as the management of other disorders including recurrent pregnancy loss, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Kristin received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and attended the prestigious New York University School of Medicine. Her extensive training and years in practice have prepared her to deal with the most difficult and challenging cases.

Kristin holds the title of Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the USC Keck School of Medicine. She is the currently the principal investigator of several research projects including the study of zygote intrafallopian tube transfer for women of advanced reproductive age, aging of the uterine endometrium and vitamin D and its role in infertility. It is her goal to provide the highest quality care for her patients and to help them fulfill their desire of having a healthy baby. In addition, she strives to guide her patients through what can be a trying and difficult journey by providing them with the support and personal attention they need.

Fertility expert, teacher, and researcher, Kristin is also a married mother of two. She resides in West Los Angeles with her family.

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Transcription: 
In preparing for pregnancy, there are lots of small things that you can do to get your body ready. You can make sure you take your prenatal vitamins, that you have enough folic acid. That you've talked to your doctor, and if you have any medical issues, that those are taken care of and managed adequately before you can try and get pregnant. There are also some genetic diseases related to ethnicity that you may want to have checked, in your particular family, to make sure that you don't have them, before you decide to have a baby. However, there isn't much you can do to extend the fertility of your ovaries. Your ovaries have a set number of eggs and the lifespan of your ovaries is really set in stone. You can't extend that at all. However, you can improve your chances if you use advance reproductive techniques. If you are significantly underweight or overweight, that can diminish your fertility potential. If you overweight, we've seen a decrease in fertility rates, and an increase in miscarriage. In those settings, it is important to increase your exercise and modify your nutritional intake. For those women who are significantly underweight, they will lose their periods and they will stop ovulating. You won't start ovulating again until you either improve your nutritional intake or you diminish how much exercise you are doing.