A TEAM of experts at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital are teaching women how to get pregnant.

The Women's Centre staff are holding the five-week course to help would-be mums and their partners understand the biology behind making babies, as well as the myths and facts.

Caroline Owens, matron for gynaecology, said: "Couples do need a course about how to get pregnant. What we've discovered is that women know very little about their menstrual cycle and the biological mechanics of conception.

"The majority think it's going to be easy. There's not many couples who don't assume they're going to have a baby, and they think it's going to just fall into their lap.

"When they realise this isn't true, women get very shocked and stressed, which reduces the likelihood of pregnancy even further.

"Trying to get pregnant can take over your life and suddenly everyone you see is pregnant. We want to emphasise the fact that conception is about making love, not making a baby."

Staff helping on the pre-conceptual care course include a doctor, fertility nurse, dietician, complementary therapists and counsellors.

They will discuss the menstrual cycle and natural fertility, explore healthy diets and exercise plans in preparation for conception and pregnancy, complementary therapies, and how to deal with stress.

A fifth hour-long class will explore fertility problems and medication, and participants will be able to "dip in and out" of classes according to their needs.

It is the second time the course has been held at the hospital, and three couples took part in April.

Mrs Owens said: "We're aiming it at women or couples who have reached a time in their lives when they want to try for a baby, as well as women with particular conditions influencing their fertility, like endometriosis or polycystic ovaries.

"The feedback we got from our first course was that the couples found it immensely useful, and actually felt they gained an enormous amount of information that they didn't get elsewhere."

The course, which starts at the hospital at 6pm today, is free, although each participant will be urged to make a donation of £5-10 to help develop the service in the future.

Anyone who would like to take part should contact Mrs Owens by calling 01865 222091 or you can email caroline.owens@orh.nhs.uk

Considering the course

GIGI Yebra has been trying to start a family with her husband Felix since they married six years ago.

Now the couple, pictured, are considering the JR's pre-conceptual care course as they get ready to embark on fertility treatment.

Mrs Yebra, 33, of Cranley Road, Barton, Oxford, said: "We went back to the Philippines to get married and stayed for a month. When we returned, I really thought I was pregnant already - that's how easy I though it would be.

"I'd lost weight for my wedding and knew that made a difference when you're trying to conceive."

By 2004, the couple agreed to take a more relaxed approach to getting pregnant, but nurse Mrs Yebra said babies are still on her mind.

She added: "I have two friends who have also been trying and have been lucky this year, and I've analysed how I feel about that. I am okay with it, but the big question I ask is when will it be my turn?' "I think the pre-conceptual course could be helpful. I would be willing to do anything that would help me."