Diet and lifestyle factors during pregnancy A number of healthy habits are recommended for a successful pregnancy. These habits should start before conception and kept during pregnancy, ideally by both, the mother and the father. Father Prior to conception, healthy habits followed by the father will determine his fertility. Sperm function and production decrease with cigarette smoking, alcohol, illicit drug abuse and obesity. Healthy sperm is supported by adequate intakes of zinc, folate and antioxidants; this is important to reduce genetic or epigenetic problems in the offspring. Continuation of such healthy habits during the pregnancy will help support the efforts by the mother. Avoiding the use of cigarettes is of particular relevance as secondhand smoke can also affect the future mother and baby. Mother To support a healthy pregnancy, lifestyle changes should start before conception. These include ensuring an adequate level of folic acid (to prevent neural tube defects) and achieving a healthy weight. Being overweight or having obesity can increase the difficulties associated with pregnancy, from making it more difficult to conceive to having increased risk of pregnancy complications. A higher weight can also make it more difficult to start and maintain breastfeeding. Being underweight can also make it more difficult to conceive, and if the low weight is associated with nutritional defficiencies, the mother may deliver a low birth weight baby (usually premature), or a small for gestational age babie (at term). Given that many substances can cross the placenta barrier, pregnant woman need to pay speciall attention to their environments. When eating fish, it is important to eat fish low in methylmercury, as this pollutant can negatively affect the development of the nervous system. Women should also moderate their consumption of caffeine and completely avoid cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs. Alcohol, nicotine and illicit drugs can harm the developing fetus and lead to life-long harmful effects to the baby. Practice caution with herbal medicines as the chemical compounds naturally found in plants can be harmful during pregnancy. Based on the readings, match the following recommendations with the most likely reason behind them. Men attempting to conceive should eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy ( Choose ) weight. (Choose ) Men attempting to conceive should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A, Cand E. Underweight woman can have a lighter placenta, which may make it more difficult to deliver nutrients to the baby Overweight or obese woman attempting to get pregnant should aim to loose weight Methylmercury is a harmful compound that can negatively affect the development of the nervous system of the fetus and child before pregnancy to improve chances of a healthier baby Babies born to overweight or obese woman are at higher risk of developing childhood obesity Women with a low BMI need to strive for a healthy weight before pregnancy Obesity is associated with decreased sperm production and function. The embryo starts receiving nutrients and other substances in the mother's blood shortly after conception, before the mother can confirm that she is p Pregnant and breastfeeding woman should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish Antioxidants minimize damage by free radicals of the genetic material in sperm. Woman attempting to get pregnant should not drink alcohol, even if they have not got a confirmation of the pregnancy ( Choose )