By Katrina Doran.

If you're planning to start a family in 2012 then now is the time to start preparing. And we don't mean looking for cots and buggies!

While we all know that we need to start taking things like folic acid when planning to get pregnant if you thought you could give your child the healthiest start in life and really bond with your partner throughout the process – then Maria Rafferty's 12-week pre-conception programme could be for you!

Just like when you were planning your wedding – you might have started growing your hair months in advance so you could wear it up on your big day – you also probably started really thinking about your skincare regime and maybe even having some facials and body treatments so you would glow and look you absolute best. All the preparation for just one day – but such an important day! And I'll guess hubby, as lovely as he is, probably got his hair cut the day before and that was about it! He turned up – did the honours, and that was all that was required.

Starting a family can be very similar – the girl starts watching her diet, taking folic acid and vitamins - and hubby? Oh he has all the fun lol!! Just like on your wedding day – he does what was required and bam, now it's over to you to go through the pregnancy and birth before hubby comes daddy and you can finally share some of the workload!

This is how it's been for generations but ladies? It's time to get serious! Did you know that the health of your baby can depend on how healthy the egg and sperm are at the moment of conception? And you can take control of this element by ensuring you have the healthiest possible egg – and hubby had the healthiest possible sperm.

Maria Rafferty is a preconception specialist and is starting a 12-week programme for couples in January – with the aim of getting the couple to optimum health by addressing the overall physical and mental health of the couple throughout the process should produce a baby of optimum health.

"The 12 week programme is about improving the quality of the eggs and the lining of the uterus in the female, by increasing bloodflow to their reproductive organs and improving the quality of the sperm in the male," says Maria. "It's about giving the baby the best start in life and getting the expectant mum and dad through the process as a tight, united unit with both parties included every step of the way.

This programme is for those planning to conceive naturally and will also assist those planning to use assisted reproductive technology.

Why 12 weeks? "It takes approximately 12 weeks for a female egg to mature and male sperm to mature – so only after the 12 weeks with the super-boosted healthy eggs and sperm start to be released."

"The stress of trying to conceive can also put a huge strain on couples – and in some cases it is this stress and focus of getting pregnant that makes the body go into a state of lockdown where, conception becomes difficult and the stress just builds and builds – with the 12 week programme I treat both male and female with a combination of Maya Abdominal Massage and acupuncture; to improve digestive health stress relief as well as reproductive health. I also provide essential vitamin and mineral supplements and teach self-care techniques so both parties can maintain the treatments at home to maximize the effects.

The various therapies can be adapted and personalized but some aspects of the programme will happen as a group with all members of the programme so there's a social side and a support group element to the programme as well – you're not going through it alone!

If you are interested in finding out more about the programme and booking a space – the 12 week programme kicks of in January so you can enjoy Christmas and New Year and look forward to an exciting 2012.

Maria will meet with potential couples first so they know what's involved and to ensure they are committed to the programme. Numbers are very limited as Maria devotes a significant amount of time to each couple.

If you miss out on the January intake – the next session starts in April.

Contact Maria at the Complimentary Health Clinic on the Lisburn Road, Belfast

Contact Number: 07799345337

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Web link: www.mariarafferty.com