Worried About Conceiving?

Simple Changes Can Increase Your Chances of Conception

By Megan L. Fowler

While it isn't totally clear whether or not caffeine has any correlation with infertility, it is probably best to avoid it. Some studies indicate it can increase chances for early-pregnancy miscarriages, while others have shown it can have benefits by improving semen motility.

Caffeine stimulates your heart, respiratory system and central nervous system and has similar effects on your mind and body as stress. It raises blood pressure, affects your sleep patterns and can become more addictive than you might think. (Plus it causes more frequent trips to the ladies room!) All in all, those extra stimuli are stresses you don't need. You've already got enough on your mind.

Your mother always told you too much of a good thing isn't always good, and yes, exercise can fall under this category. While some of us don't consider exercise to be a "good thing" but rather a "necessary evil," it is still important to understand how your workouts may or may not affect your chances of getting pregnant.

Like caffeine, the research is speculative, but the longer and harder you exercise each day, the less energy your body has for other things (i.e. conceiving). It's best to talk with your doctor to find out what workout schedule is best for you for optimum pregnancy chances.

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!