I'm sure you're already aware that drinking and smoking are big no-no's when you're trying to get pregnant.  But is just one glass of wine after work a problem?

A recent research study that looked at the effect of lifestyle and fertility found that drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a week significantly lowered a woman's chance of pregnancy, specifically if the woman already is having trouble conceiving.

Also, according to the March of Dimes, no amount of alcohol has been proven to be 100% safe in pregnancy. To be on the safe side, you should avoid drinking while you are trying to get pregnant. 

What about your partner? Drinking has also been linked to lower fertility rates in men, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage. According to one study, which evaluated the effect of alcoholic consumption on IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) success, for every additional drink the man consumed, the risk of conception not leading to a live birth increased by 2 to 8 times. This was true for beer drinking as well.  Not only should you avoid alcoholic drinks, your partner should also abandon alcohol.

If either of you are smokers, be aware that smoking has a strong impact on your fertility. When either partner smokes, you are lowering your fertility, increasing the risk of miscarriage, and putting your unborn baby's health at risk. Before you continue with trying to get pregnant, please try to quit smoking first. 

Freelance Contributor: Crystel Cortez

References:
Smoking and Reproductive Life, by the BMA's board of Science and Tobacco Control Resource Centre
Stephen EH, Chandra A. Updated projections of infertility in the United States: 1995-2025. Fertil Steril. 1998 Jul;70(1):30-4.

There is a decreased chance of getting pregnant as women age.  Fertility naturally starts to decline at age 20, but after age 35, fertility decreases rapidly. 

It is generally believed that women are born with a finite number of eggs.  By puberty this number is expected to be around 250,000!  Even though we likely only have a finite number of eggs, we have more than enough to accommodate our monthly use of a few of them over many many years.  In fact, fewer than 500 oocytes are released in a woman's life time.

How do we use up our eggs?  Each month in preparation for ovulation, the body selects several eggs, called oocytes, to continue their development, until one (and in rare cases, 2) oocyte is chosen to finish maturation.  Ovulation occurs when that chosen oocyte is released from the ovary and made available for fertilization if there are sperm present. 

As we approach menopause, our supply of eggs has diminished and ovulation may not occur on a monthly basis.  Due to irregular ovulation and diminished fertile cervical mucus, conception may be more difficult if you are over 40 years old, but it is not impossible.  Staying closely in tune with your fertility signals can help you time intercourse appropriately.

Freelance Contributor: Crystel Cortez

References:
Tietze C.  Reproductive Span and Rate of Conception Among Hutterite Women.  Fertility and Sterility.  1957; 8: 89-97. 
Marieb E. Human Anatomy and Physiology.  Seventh Edition.  Benjamin Cummings: San Francisco, 2007. 1091-92.