If you want children, an argument for cleansing

When I look at my precious 10-year-old sons, I marvel at their innocence and beauty. I let my finger trace clusters of freckles near their noses. Then I usually thank God they are finally asleep.

After we got married in our mid-20s, Husband talked about having children. I managed to hold him off for a few years. Then, toward the end of 1998, for the first time in more than 10 years together, I took a good look at the man.

I asked myself if I was OK with our children inheriting his Fred Flintstone feet, and I took a good long look at his family's medical history. We went over my family's medical history, too. Coming from Irish Catholics as far back as the Ice Age, I had my own fair share of dubious traits to pass on.

In the end, we were both fine with what we might pass on, and we decided give parenthood a try in about June 1999.

"That means we should start cleansing six months beforehand," I told him.

"Cleansing?" he asked. "I already took your advice and stopped eating anything with partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. What more do you want?"

"I will prepare a lovely and healthy little space for your baby. That means, way ahead of time, I will stop drinking alcohol and caffeinated products. I will stay away from second-hand smoke. I will stay away from anything that is bad for pregnant women, like feta cheese and reality television. I will start taking prenatal vitamins."

"Sounds reasonable," he said.

"Yes," I replied. "But what about you?"

"What about me?" he asked.

"The man is just as important beforehand, and I'd like you to be as healthy as possible."

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "What do I have to give up now?"

"It's good you don't drink anyway, so that's one less thing to adjust to. Let's see. You will have to stop drinking coffee and stop taking those stomach meds."

We both stared at each other.

"We don't know for sure that cleansing helps us get pregnant, carry a healthy fetus or produce a healthy child," he said.

"Right. But we know for sure it can't hurt."

"And antacid tablets count?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Great. Then we're going to have to do something about your cooking."

In less than three minutes, I had his buy-in. He wanted a healthy child as much as I did. We visited our primary care physicians and were given the green light. After six months of cleansing, we were finally ready.

I got pregnant right away, and five months later we went to the doctor and discovered twins.

Sometimes friends and family will gaze at our brilliant and beautiful children and say, "You were lucky."

Perhaps. But our vetting process, preparations and choices provided our children with the best possible start. Our health made it possible to get pregnant and produce two kids who are able to run, jump, keep up in class and argue with me.

Cleansing might not have helped.

But, at the very least, we know it didn't hurt.