10 things to avoid when you're trying to get pregnant

When you're trying to get pregnant, some of your habits may need to change. Here are 10 fertility foes to steer clear of when you're actively trying to have a baby:

Lubricants
Certain medications
Large amounts of caffeine
Mercury in fish
Alcohol
Smoking
Certain chemicals
Stress
Hot tubs
Marijuana – maybe

Comments

Does a past abortion affect my chances of getting pregnant?

Probably not. However, in rare cases, multiple dilations and curettages (the cleaning out of the uterus, also known as a D&C) can cause scarring at the top of the cervix or inside the uterus. A procedure called hysteroscopy (when a small camera is placed through your cervix into your uterine cavity) can check for this problem and usually repair the scar tissue at the same time. But even if that's not the case for you, you should know that any procedure that dilates the cervix – a necessary step during most abortions – can weaken it. So if you've had more than one abortion and you get pregnant again later on, you may find that you have what's known as an incompetent cervix, a cervix that starts dilating prematurely. This can sometimes be treated with a stitch to keep the cervix closed, called a cerclage. On the bright side, having conceived before proves that you ovulate and that your fallopian tubes are open.

Common causes of fertility problems in men

About 11 percent of reproductive-age couples in the United States have trouble conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy. About one-third of these cases are due to male fertility problems, about one-third are related to female fertility problems, and the rest are due to factors involving both partners or to unexplained causes. If you've had regular, unprotected sex for more than a year (or six months if you're older than 35) without conceiving, see your doctor. About 65 percent of couples that get treatment for a fertility problem are eventually able to have a successful pregnancy, according to Resolve, the national infertility association. A fertility specialist will usually give you and your partner an initial examination. If a semen analysis isn't normal, or if anything in your medical or reproductive history indicates you need a more thorough evaluation, you may be referred to a urologist or other male reproduction specialist who can recommend treatment and help you...

FERTILITY DESK

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