Worried About Conceiving?

Simple Changes Can Increase Your Chances of Conception

By Megan L. Fowler

Moms want the best for their babies. From quality skin care products to a baby-proof home, you're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your child is healthy. But all of this can only begin with you. If you don't take care of yourself initially, your baby may never get the chance to do the things you so desperately hope for. Your body and your physical well-being are critical factors when trying to conceive.

Here is what you need to know about your health and a few things you might not have considered.

There are a number of factors that contribute to infertility, but your everyday physical health is probably the most significant. In fact, the way you treat your body and your health is often a top reason for conception difficulties. For example, smoking, weight (both too much and too little), previous sexually-transmitted diseases, stress and strenuous, frequent exercise all can lower your chances of conception, says fertility specialist Dr. Fady Sharara of the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine in Reston, Va.

"Smoking is detrimental to both eggs and sperm," says Dr. Peter Chang, director of Beth Israel Center for Infertility and Reproductive Health in New York City. "Therefore, people trying to conceive should quit." Also, he adds, anything in extreme (such as weight or stress) can cause irregular periods (or none at all), and that stops you from ovulating.

If you suffer from specific medical conditions, it is best to talk with your doctor and take medications that are safe during pregnancy. "We can alter our [routines] to correct our lifestyle," Dr. Sharara says. Even some medical conditions, such as diabetes, that can increase the chance of miscarriage, he adds, can be controlled if a woman can take control and get properly treated.

"Blood pressure should be well controlled, and women with hypertension should consult their OB/GYN or high-risk obstetrician for preconception counseling," Dr. Chang says. "Obesity is also a risk factor for gestational diabetes during pregnancy."

Want to see more?

• Six Months to Conception: A Practical Five-Step Plan Toward Pregnancy
• Upping the Odds: Doing Your Best to Conceive
• Seeds of Hope: Lubrication for Couples Trying to Conceive
• Trouble Conceiving? Get the Right Medical Care!
• Talk about it!