Did you know that proper nutrition and the right nutritional supplements can do much to ensure a successful pregnancy after age forty?

If you are one of the many who have put off pregnancy—or are just having difficulties adding to your family at any stage of life—consider the helpful hints below on how to maximize your chance of success no matter what your age to get pregnant.

Taking a folic acid supplement, for instance, is crucial. Folic acid has been shown to protect against birth defects which can trigger miscarriage or result in serious health conditions in pregnancies taken to term. Neural tube defects which can seriously impair your baby’s health, including malformations of the fetal spine, skull and brain as well as congenital heart problems, can all result from folic acid deficiency during pregnancy. Less devastating yet still serious conditions such as preterm delivery, low birth weight and fetal growth retardation are also linked to folic acid deficiencies.

By taking 400 mcg of folic acid a day for at least one month before you conceive, and during your first trimester, you can help lower the chance of neural tube defects by fifty to seventy percent—according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Align your inner environment with your goals by avoiding medications which may be especially dangerous during pregnancy, and give extra thought to any unhealthy habits you may have such as smoking, drinking or the use of recreational drugs. Also consider limiting your caffeine consumption to 200 milligrams per day—about the amount in one cup of coffee, depending on the brew.

A healthily foundation including an optimized diet, controlled bodyweight and a sensible exercise plan—along with a good prenatal omega-complete multivitamin can all help to ensure both your own success and that of the newborn you’ll be bringing into the world.