They're cute, cuddly and come with a lot of responsibility. Emotionally, Rachel Mundt says she's ready.

Rachel Mundt, "I feel like I'm setting my career and things are set everywhere else, so why not try to have a baby?"

So she's taking the first step by talking with her doctor to see if she's physically prepared.

Dr. Marilyn Lowe says it is the best place to start but there are a lot of things you need to get ready.

First, Dr. Lowe says, "I encourage them to come off their birth control for three months and when they stop the pill to start the prenatal vitamin so that they have the folic acid on board for that important three month time before they become pregnant."

Next, tell your doctor about any medication you're taking.

Dr. Lowe tells us, "There are a lot of medications that women are on that we need to check and see if it is safe for them to continue with the pregnancy. Is there a safer alternative for them to be on during pregnancy?"

And if you smoke, she says you need to kick the habit before you get pregnant.

If you don't have an exercise routine already, now is the perfect time to start. Just make sure it will be easy to follow once you get pregnant. Like walking on a treadmill three of four times a week. It's also a good time to get to your ideal weight.

Dr Lowe says, "They need to start adjusting those eating patterns so that when they enter into the pregnancy, they continue with the healthy eating patterns."

After talking it over, Rachel now knows what she needs to work on.

"'Caffeine," she confessed. "I love my caffeine."

But she's willing to cut back for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby of her own.

Finally, Dr. Lowe says you should allow time to determine your ovulation pattern. That will help you figure out your best time to get pregnant.