Becoming Pregnant

Study after study regarding fertility indicates that non-smokers striving to become pregnant will have a better chance to conceive than smokers.   While most couples are aware that cigarettes should be avoided during pregnancy , fertility experts say fewer seem to realize the negative impact that smoking has on fertility or the chance of conception.

The male partner needs be aware that smoking affects sperm count as well.  The Fertility and Sterility journal published a study that showed that sperm counts averaged 17% lower in smokers.  The fact that smoking has been known to reduce sperm count in men, should encourage the male partner to cease smoking; at least during the time that the couple is striving to become pregnant.

Other Factors to be considered by both men and women:

1. Some fertility clinics have found that smokers undergoing fertility treatments usually require much higher doses of fertility medication than nonsmokers.
2. In a study recently published in Human Reproduction doctors showed that secondhand smoke also reduced the pregnancy rates in women undergoing high-tech infertility procedures.
3. The good news: Reduce your exposure to cigarette smoke and you may get pregnant faster and easier! In one study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, doctors found that men who stopped smoking experienced a rise in sperm count of up to 800%!
4. Although the links between stress and fertility are slightly less clear, increasingly doctors say it exists.
5. While few folks connect diet to fertility, new research shows that very often those who are infertile are also lacking important nutrients in their diet.  The finding takes on even greater importance in light of previous research showing that both vitamins C and E may play roles in male fertility.
6. Although the links between stress and fertility are slightly less clear, increasingly doctors say it exists.