1. lubricants
Does using a lubricant inhibit conception?
It may. There's some conflicting evidence, but a number of studies
have found that vaginal lubricants can both damage sperm and interfere
with their ability to travel to the uterus to fertilize an egg. This is
true for many store-bought lubricants as well as for many homemade
versions, such as olive oil.
While the pH (acidity) of cervical mucus produced just before ovulation is perfect for sperm survival and movement, the pH of most lubricants isn't sperm friendly. In fact, it's acidic enough to kill sperm. In addition, the thickness of lubricants can make it difficult for sperm to travel, and the water content can damage the sperm by causing them to absorb water.
The best lubricant to use when conception is your goal is foreplay. Take your time working up to intercourse. Ask your partner to do more touching, hugging, and kissing. Many women say they need 15 to 20 minutes of stimulation to get in the mood.
If you feel dry despite all attempts at foreplay, try using warm water as a lubricant. Water isn't toxic to sperm and won't interfere with the sperm's ability to reach the cervix.
If you still feel the need to use a lubricant while trying to become pregnant, it's best to choose one that's been shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective for conception. These are usually marketed as "fertility friendly" lubricants and include brands such as Pre-Seed and Conceive Plus.
If
you’re looking for a reason to skip housecleaning, how’s this: The
chemicals in many common cleaners may have toxic effects on fertility.
“The science isn’t black and white, but there’s enough evidence out there for us to be really concerned about the effect these chemicals are having on our reproductive processes,” says Alexandra Gorman Scranton, director of science and research at Women's Voices for the Earth and author of the group's report Household Hazards: Reproductive Harm and Household Cleaning Products (available on the group's website).
Compounding the problem is the lack of labeling standards. “Just because a product says 'all-natural' or 'biodegradable' doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Scranton says.
Here are some tips on what to avoid and what to choose instead:
Part of what makes choosing safe cleaners so difficult is the lack of clear labeling. Check the manufacturer’s website and look up the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to find out what’s in that bottle (even though the MSDS don’t typically list all ingredients—just those the manufacturer deems hazardous). For more information, contact the customer service number on the packaging and ask what’s in the product. “Any company that won’t say anything is a company you should not trust,” Seventh Generation’s Wolf says.
Holy Cow. The gimmick may be candy-colored bottles and a happy cow, but these products are the real deal when it comes to safe, effective cleaning. Holy Cow offers nontoxic glass, all-purpose, and concentrated cleaners that the company claims are strong enough to degrease a car engine, but gentle enough to use on your dishes.
Make-it-yourself cleaners. If you’re feeling industrious, you can mix your own products. Women’s Voices for the Earth has a link to several recipes for different nontoxic cleaners. Try this all-purpose cleaner: Mix two cups of white vinegar and two cups of water. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance if you like. To boost the cleaning power for tough jobs, microwave the mixture in a glass container until barely hot.
While the pH (acidity) of cervical mucus produced just before ovulation is perfect for sperm survival and movement, the pH of most lubricants isn't sperm friendly. In fact, it's acidic enough to kill sperm. In addition, the thickness of lubricants can make it difficult for sperm to travel, and the water content can damage the sperm by causing them to absorb water.
The best lubricant to use when conception is your goal is foreplay. Take your time working up to intercourse. Ask your partner to do more touching, hugging, and kissing. Many women say they need 15 to 20 minutes of stimulation to get in the mood.
If you feel dry despite all attempts at foreplay, try using warm water as a lubricant. Water isn't toxic to sperm and won't interfere with the sperm's ability to reach the cervix.
If you still feel the need to use a lubricant while trying to become pregnant, it's best to choose one that's been shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective for conception. These are usually marketed as "fertility friendly" lubricants and include brands such as Pre-Seed and Conceive Plus.
2. Certain Medications
What medications should I stop taking now that I'm trying?
The simple answer is to stop all unnecessary medications before attempting pregnancy, but of course, that's not always possible.
Some that you should definitely avoid because they can harm the fetus include isotretinoin, better known as Accutane (for acne), Coumadin (an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clotting), tetracycline (for acne or infections), valproic acid (for epilepsy), ACE inhibitors (for hypertension), injectable or preventative drugs like Imitrex and propranolol (for migraines), anti-malarial drugs like Plaquenil, or high doses of steroids like cortisone and prednisone (for lupus). But make sure you talk with your doctor before you stop taking any prescribed medication.
Many over-the-counter medications are safe in small amounts. But some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as Motrin, Aleve, or any drug containing ibuprofen, can impair ovulation and make the lining of your uterus less favorable for implantation. With the exception of Tylenol — which is safe to take anytime — you should take NSAIDS only while you're menstruating if you're trying to conceive.
The best advice is to check with your physician before taking any medication. Many medications have safer alternatives for pregnant women. For example, if you need an anticoagulant for a deep vein thrombosis, heparin is safe — and Coumadin is dangerous because it crosses the placenta. Or if you need an anticonvulsant for epilepsy, Dilantin has risks but is much safer than valproic acid. Discuss these matters with your obstetrician well before embarking on a pregnancy.
Although researchers haven't been able to find a clear connection between moderate caffeine intake and fertility problems, it's generally considered safe to consume 200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily while trying to conceive. That's up to two 8-ounce cups of coffee for a weak brew. If you get more than that, it might be a good idea to cut back.
To manage your caffeine intake, you'll need to be aware of other sources, like tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, and coffee ice cream. Caffeine also shows up in herbal products and over-the-counter drugs, including some headache, cold, and allergy remedies. Read labels carefully.
You might want to start by switching to a drink that's half regular brew and half decaf. Or reduce the caffeine in homemade hot beverages by watering them down or brewing them for a shorter time. If you love to start your day with a cup of English Breakfast tea, steeping your tea bag for one minute instead of five reduces the caffeine by as much as half.
Once you've acclimated to life with little or no caffeine, you may find steamed milk with a shot of flavored syrup to be a nice coffee substitute – and the calcium will do you good.
Even if you don't care for seafood, you've probably heard that fish is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids (specifically DHA and EPA), which are important for a baby's brain and eye development. Fish is also low in saturated fat and high in protein, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are crucial for a developing baby and a healthy pregnancy.
Your body will store omega-3s for several weeks, so it's a good idea to make sure you're getting enough now so you'll have adequate levels when you become pregnant.
On the other hand, you've probably also heard that some types of fish contain contaminants such as mercury. In high doses, this metal is harmful to a baby's developing brain and nervous system.
Mercury accumulates in the body – and takes time to go away once you reduce your intake – so you're right to be concerned about your exposure before becoming pregnant.
Most experts agree that women in their childbearing years should eat some fish. But it's important to know which ones are safe and how much to eat.
Below, we offer some guidelines to help you limit your exposure to mercury while getting the nutrients you and your baby will need.
When mercury settles into water, bacteria convert it into a form called methylmercury. Fish absorb methylmercury from the water they swim in and the food they eat. Methylmercury binds tightly to the proteins in fish muscle and remains there even after the fish is cooked.
Almost all fish and shellfish contain some mercury, but large predator fish accumulate the most. That's because predator fish eat other fish – fish that have absorbed mercury themselves. And the bigger the predator fish, the more fish it eats. Larger fish also tend to live longer than smaller fish, so there's simply more time for mercury to build up in their bodies.
Studies show that exposure to high concentrations of methylmercury during pregnancy can impair a baby's growing brain and nervous system. The results may be mild or severe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cognitive skills (like memory and attention), language, motor skills, and vision may be affected.
Women who are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or nursing – and their babies and young children – are most vulnerable to high levels of mercury.
Experts are still debating exactly how much mercury is harmful, but most agree it's a good idea for women of childbearing age to avoid fish that are high in mercury and to limit (but not eliminate) other fish in their diet.
"It's not necessary – or even possible – to avoid all exposure to mercury. There are low amounts that are not harmful," says Charles Santerre, a professor of food toxicology at Purdue University and an expert on contaminants in fish. "If a woman stops eating fish to avoid mercury, when she becomes pregnant her baby may miss out on the healthy nutrients that fish provides."
It's your baby's developing brain and vision that will benefit most from the healthy fatty acids found in fish. Studies show that babies who get adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy have better cognitive development and vision than babies who receive fewer omega-3s.
Some studies also show that eating fish during pregnancy may help prevent preterm birth and low birth weight.
Other experts and advocacy groups would like to expand this list. Purdue toxicologist Santerre recommends that you also avoid eating all fresh or frozen tuna, striped bass, bluefish, Chilean sea bass, golden snapper, marlin, orange roughy, amberjack, Crevalle jack, Spanish mackerel from the Gulf of Mexico, and walleye from the Great Lakes.
Santerre's group at Purdue publishes a handy wallet card that tells you where most commercial fish falls on the mercury contamination scale and how much of each it's safe to eat.
The card highlights eight fish that are both low in mercury and high in healthy fats: anchovy, herring, mackerel (Atlantic, jack, chub), rainbow trout (farm raised), salmon (wild or farm raised), sardines, shad (American), and whitefish.
Purdue also has free apps for the iPhone and iPod that can help you track your seafood consumption and estimate your intake of omega-3s, mercury, and PCBs (another contaminant).
On the other hand, some advocacy groups recommend that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant avoid all canned tuna. Here's why: Chunk light tuna is generally considered lower in mercury because it often comes from skipjack, a smaller type of tuna. But sometimes yellowfin tuna, a larger fish, is used for chunk light, so you can't be sure what you're getting unless the label clearly spells out the contents.
Although light tuna isn't a good source of omega-3s, white tuna is, and both kinds have plenty of nutritional value. So it may be worth adding them to your diet every once in a while, especially if it's the only fish you eat.
These advisories are usually indicated on signposts in fishing areas. You can also access your state's advisories on this map, which is kept up-to-date by Purdue University.
If you don't find an advisory for the fish that's been caught, the EPA recommends limiting your intake of it to 6 ounces per week and not eating any other fish that week. Other experts recommend that you not eat a fish if you can't determine that it's safe.
You may have heard that flaxseed is a good source, but the only omega-3 fatty acid that plant foods contain is ALA, which has not been proven to provide the health benefits of DHA and EPA.
These supplements provide EPA and DHA and are mercury-free. Many contain fish oil, but mercury is not fat soluble (stored in fatty tissue), so it's not in the oil. Omega-3 supplements that are derived from algae rather than fish have no fishy aftertaste and are appropriate for vegetarians.
The Institute of Medicine (the group that sets the recommended daily intake levels for nutrients) has not set recommended levels for DHA or EPA. So ask your healthcare provider about the types of supplements available and the amounts that would be suitable for you, based on your diet and the other supplements you take. (If you've begun taking prenatal vitamins, check the label. Some contain DHA.)
Note: Some women turn to cod liver oil as a source of omega-3s. If you go this route, check the label and make sure you're not exceeding the recommended level of vitamin A for pregnant women. (Vitamin A can be toxic at high doses.) You should also make sure that the brand you choose filters the oil to eliminate toxins such as PCBs.
Some that you should definitely avoid because they can harm the fetus include isotretinoin, better known as Accutane (for acne), Coumadin (an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clotting), tetracycline (for acne or infections), valproic acid (for epilepsy), ACE inhibitors (for hypertension), injectable or preventative drugs like Imitrex and propranolol (for migraines), anti-malarial drugs like Plaquenil, or high doses of steroids like cortisone and prednisone (for lupus). But make sure you talk with your doctor before you stop taking any prescribed medication.
Many over-the-counter medications are safe in small amounts. But some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as Motrin, Aleve, or any drug containing ibuprofen, can impair ovulation and make the lining of your uterus less favorable for implantation. With the exception of Tylenol — which is safe to take anytime — you should take NSAIDS only while you're menstruating if you're trying to conceive.
The best advice is to check with your physician before taking any medication. Many medications have safer alternatives for pregnant women. For example, if you need an anticoagulant for a deep vein thrombosis, heparin is safe — and Coumadin is dangerous because it crosses the placenta. Or if you need an anticonvulsant for epilepsy, Dilantin has risks but is much safer than valproic acid. Discuss these matters with your obstetrician well before embarking on a pregnancy.
3. Large amount of caffeine
Caffeine: Does it affect your fertility?
Does caffeine affect fertility?
It might. Some studies have found a link between caffeine consumption and a woman's ability to conceive, while others have not. Most experts say there just isn't enough evidence to make a definite conclusion about caffeine and fertility.Although researchers haven't been able to find a clear connection between moderate caffeine intake and fertility problems, it's generally considered safe to consume 200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily while trying to conceive. That's up to two 8-ounce cups of coffee for a weak brew. If you get more than that, it might be a good idea to cut back.
Which foods and beverages contain caffeine?
Coffee is one, of course. The amount of caffeine in a serving of coffee varies widely, depending on the type of bean, how it's roasted, how it's brewed – and, obviously, on the size of the coffee cup. (For example, espresso contains more caffeine per ounce, but it's served in a tiny cup. So a full cup of brewed coffee will actually deliver more caffeine.)To manage your caffeine intake, you'll need to be aware of other sources, like tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, and coffee ice cream. Caffeine also shows up in herbal products and over-the-counter drugs, including some headache, cold, and allergy remedies. Read labels carefully.
Amount of caffeine in common foods and beverages
| Coffee | Amount | Caffeine |
| coffee, generic brewed | 8 oz | 95-200 mg |
| coffee, Starbucks brewed | 16 oz | 330 mg |
| coffee, Dunkin' Donuts brewed | 16 oz | 211 mg |
| caffé latte, misto, or cappuccino, Starbucks | 16 oz | 150 mg |
| caffé latte, misto, or cappuccino, Starbucks | 12 oz | 75 mg |
| espresso, Starbucks | 1 oz (1 shot ) | 75 mg |
| espresso, generic | 1 oz (1 shot) | 64 mg |
| coffee, generic instant | 1 tsp granules | 31 mg |
| coffee, generic decaffeinated | 8 oz | 2 mg |
| Tea | Amount | Caffeine |
| black tea, brewed | 8 oz | 47 mg |
| green tea, brewed | 8 oz | 25 mg |
| black tea, decaffeinated | 8 oz | 2 mg |
| Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea latte | 16 oz | 95 mg |
| instant tea, unsweetened | 1 tsp powder | 26 mg |
| Snapple | 16 oz | 42 mg |
| Lipton Brisk iced tea | 12 oz | 5 mg |
| Soft drinks | Amount | Caffeine |
| Coke | 12 oz | 35 mg |
| Diet Coke | 12 oz | 47 mg |
| Pepsi | 12 oz | 38 mg |
| Diet Pepsi | 12 oz | 36 mg |
| Jolt Cola | 12 oz | 72 mg |
| Mountain Dew | 12 oz | 54 mg |
| 7-Up | 12 oz | 0 mg |
| Sierra Mist | 12 oz | 0 mg |
| Sprite | 12 oz | 0 mg |
| Energy drinks | Amount | Caffeine |
| Red Bull | 8.3 oz | 77 mg |
| SoBe Essential Energy, berry or orange | 8 oz | 48 mg |
| 5-Hour Energy | 2 oz | 138 mg |
How can I cut back on caffeine?
If you decide to drink less caffeine, cut back slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue and headaches.You might want to start by switching to a drink that's half regular brew and half decaf. Or reduce the caffeine in homemade hot beverages by watering them down or brewing them for a shorter time. If you love to start your day with a cup of English Breakfast tea, steeping your tea bag for one minute instead of five reduces the caffeine by as much as half.
Once you've acclimated to life with little or no caffeine, you may find steamed milk with a shot of flavored syrup to be a nice coffee substitute – and the calcium will do you good.
4. Mercury in fish
Eating fish when you're trying to conceive: How to avoid mercury and still get your omega-3s
I'm planning to become pregnant. Should I be eating fish?
Many women who are planning a pregnancy wonder about this.Even if you don't care for seafood, you've probably heard that fish is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids (specifically DHA and EPA), which are important for a baby's brain and eye development. Fish is also low in saturated fat and high in protein, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are crucial for a developing baby and a healthy pregnancy.
Your body will store omega-3s for several weeks, so it's a good idea to make sure you're getting enough now so you'll have adequate levels when you become pregnant.
On the other hand, you've probably also heard that some types of fish contain contaminants such as mercury. In high doses, this metal is harmful to a baby's developing brain and nervous system.
Mercury accumulates in the body – and takes time to go away once you reduce your intake – so you're right to be concerned about your exposure before becoming pregnant.
Most experts agree that women in their childbearing years should eat some fish. But it's important to know which ones are safe and how much to eat.
Below, we offer some guidelines to help you limit your exposure to mercury while getting the nutrients you and your baby will need.
How does mercury get into fish?
Mercury is everywhere, even in the air we breathe. Some of the sources (such as volcanoes and forest fires) are natural. It's also released into the air by power plants, cement plants, and certain chemical and industrial manufacturers. It's used in making thermometers and thermostats and may be released when those products end up at the dump.When mercury settles into water, bacteria convert it into a form called methylmercury. Fish absorb methylmercury from the water they swim in and the food they eat. Methylmercury binds tightly to the proteins in fish muscle and remains there even after the fish is cooked.
Almost all fish and shellfish contain some mercury, but large predator fish accumulate the most. That's because predator fish eat other fish – fish that have absorbed mercury themselves. And the bigger the predator fish, the more fish it eats. Larger fish also tend to live longer than smaller fish, so there's simply more time for mercury to build up in their bodies.
What could happen if I eat fish that's high in mercury?
Your body easily absorbs methylmercury from fish and stores it for months. Once you become pregnant, the mercury in your body will cross the placenta, too.Studies show that exposure to high concentrations of methylmercury during pregnancy can impair a baby's growing brain and nervous system. The results may be mild or severe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cognitive skills (like memory and attention), language, motor skills, and vision may be affected.
Women who are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or nursing – and their babies and young children – are most vulnerable to high levels of mercury.
Experts are still debating exactly how much mercury is harmful, but most agree it's a good idea for women of childbearing age to avoid fish that are high in mercury and to limit (but not eliminate) other fish in their diet.
Why not just stop eating fish?
Fish is too good a nutritional choice to give up, and most experts agree that the benefits of eating fish usually outweigh the risks."It's not necessary – or even possible – to avoid all exposure to mercury. There are low amounts that are not harmful," says Charles Santerre, a professor of food toxicology at Purdue University and an expert on contaminants in fish. "If a woman stops eating fish to avoid mercury, when she becomes pregnant her baby may miss out on the healthy nutrients that fish provides."
It's your baby's developing brain and vision that will benefit most from the healthy fatty acids found in fish. Studies show that babies who get adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy have better cognitive development and vision than babies who receive fewer omega-3s.
Some studies also show that eating fish during pregnancy may help prevent preterm birth and low birth weight.
Which fish are highest in mercury?
In 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the EPA released a joint advisory on mercury in fish. In it, they identified four types of fish that women of childbearing age should not eat because they contain high levels of mercury: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.Other experts and advocacy groups would like to expand this list. Purdue toxicologist Santerre recommends that you also avoid eating all fresh or frozen tuna, striped bass, bluefish, Chilean sea bass, golden snapper, marlin, orange roughy, amberjack, Crevalle jack, Spanish mackerel from the Gulf of Mexico, and walleye from the Great Lakes.
So which fish can I eat?
Different groups have different opinions. The advisory from the FDA and EPA says it's okay to eat up to 12 ounces a week (two servings) of any fish and shellfish, other than the four you shouldn't eat at all: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. (See special restrictions on canned tuna below.) Other experts take a more cautious approach.Santerre's group at Purdue publishes a handy wallet card that tells you where most commercial fish falls on the mercury contamination scale and how much of each it's safe to eat.
The card highlights eight fish that are both low in mercury and high in healthy fats: anchovy, herring, mackerel (Atlantic, jack, chub), rainbow trout (farm raised), salmon (wild or farm raised), sardines, shad (American), and whitefish.
Purdue also has free apps for the iPhone and iPod that can help you track your seafood consumption and estimate your intake of omega-3s, mercury, and PCBs (another contaminant).
What about canned tuna?
The FDA recommends that women in their childbearing years eat no more than 12 ounces a week of canned "chunk light" tuna and no more than 6 ounces a week of canned "solid white" or albacore tuna. That's because albacore tuna comes from large fish that tend to contain more mercury.On the other hand, some advocacy groups recommend that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant avoid all canned tuna. Here's why: Chunk light tuna is generally considered lower in mercury because it often comes from skipjack, a smaller type of tuna. But sometimes yellowfin tuna, a larger fish, is used for chunk light, so you can't be sure what you're getting unless the label clearly spells out the contents.
Although light tuna isn't a good source of omega-3s, white tuna is, and both kinds have plenty of nutritional value. So it may be worth adding them to your diet every once in a while, especially if it's the only fish you eat.
What about fish that we catch ourselves in local waters?
It depends on the water in your lake, river, or coastal area. You'll want to check your local advisories to determine which fish to avoid.These advisories are usually indicated on signposts in fishing areas. You can also access your state's advisories on this map, which is kept up-to-date by Purdue University.
If you don't find an advisory for the fish that's been caught, the EPA recommends limiting your intake of it to 6 ounces per week and not eating any other fish that week. Other experts recommend that you not eat a fish if you can't determine that it's safe.
What can I eat, other than fish, to get my omega-3s?
Many foods – such as eggs, milk, soy beverages, juice, yogurt, bread, cereal, and margarine – are now fortified with omega-3s. Some don't contain very much DHA or EPA, but small amounts can add up. (Look for products that contain at least 50 milligrams of DHA per serving.)You may have heard that flaxseed is a good source, but the only omega-3 fatty acid that plant foods contain is ALA, which has not been proven to provide the health benefits of DHA and EPA.
What about omega-3 supplements?
To cover your bases, especially if you don't eat fish, you might choose to take an omega-3 supplement.These supplements provide EPA and DHA and are mercury-free. Many contain fish oil, but mercury is not fat soluble (stored in fatty tissue), so it's not in the oil. Omega-3 supplements that are derived from algae rather than fish have no fishy aftertaste and are appropriate for vegetarians.
The Institute of Medicine (the group that sets the recommended daily intake levels for nutrients) has not set recommended levels for DHA or EPA. So ask your healthcare provider about the types of supplements available and the amounts that would be suitable for you, based on your diet and the other supplements you take. (If you've begun taking prenatal vitamins, check the label. Some contain DHA.)
Note: Some women turn to cod liver oil as a source of omega-3s. If you go this route, check the label and make sure you're not exceeding the recommended level of vitamin A for pregnant women. (Vitamin A can be toxic at high doses.) You should also make sure that the brand you choose filters the oil to eliminate toxins such as PCBs.
How can I tell whether I have high levels of mercury in my body?
There are tests that can detect the mercury in your blood or in a hair sample, but they aren't routinely recommended. If you're concerned, talk with your healthcare provider about the best course of action. And pay particular attention at the fish counter.5. Alcohol
Should I stop drinking before I start trying to conceive?
Yes. A baby develops rapidly during the first weeks of pregnancy,
even before the mother-to-be knows that she's expecting. Some research
shows that even a moderate level of alcohol can increase the chance of a
miscarriage.
Experts haven't yet defined a safe level of alcohol for women who are pregnant nor do they know whether or how babies differ in their sensitivity and reaction to alcohol. But because the harmful effects of alcohol during pregnancy are well known, women trying to conceive and those already pregnant should probably play it safe and avoid all alcoholic beverages.
If you're trying to get pregnant, it's most important that you don't drink during the second half of your cycle, after you've ovulated, because that's when you might be pregnant. If you get your period, it's okay to have a couple of glasses of wine during the first half of your cycle while you're waiting to ovulate again. For nonalcoholic alternatives, see BabyCenter's list of the best "virgin" drinks.
When you are trying to have a baby it's important to be as healthy as you can be, so my advice would be to stop smoking before attempting a pregnancy. Not only will it optimize your chances of conceiving, it will also help protect your family. Secondhand smoke can be dangerous for your partner and baby.
Experts haven't yet defined a safe level of alcohol for women who are pregnant nor do they know whether or how babies differ in their sensitivity and reaction to alcohol. But because the harmful effects of alcohol during pregnancy are well known, women trying to conceive and those already pregnant should probably play it safe and avoid all alcoholic beverages.
If you're trying to get pregnant, it's most important that you don't drink during the second half of your cycle, after you've ovulated, because that's when you might be pregnant. If you get your period, it's okay to have a couple of glasses of wine during the first half of your cycle while you're waiting to ovulate again. For nonalcoholic alternatives, see BabyCenter's list of the best "virgin" drinks.
6. Smoking
Can smoking affect my sperm count?
At least one study indicates that smoking lowers sperm counts, and there's no question that marijuana (cannabis) does the same.When you are trying to have a baby it's important to be as healthy as you can be, so my advice would be to stop smoking before attempting a pregnancy. Not only will it optimize your chances of conceiving, it will also help protect your family. Secondhand smoke can be dangerous for your partner and baby.
7. Certain chemicals
Which household cleaners could hurt your fertility
“The science isn’t black and white, but there’s enough evidence out there for us to be really concerned about the effect these chemicals are having on our reproductive processes,” says Alexandra Gorman Scranton, director of science and research at Women's Voices for the Earth and author of the group's report Household Hazards: Reproductive Harm and Household Cleaning Products (available on the group's website).
Compounding the problem is the lack of labeling standards. “Just because a product says 'all-natural' or 'biodegradable' doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Scranton says.
Here are some tips on what to avoid and what to choose instead:
Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances in cleaning products, such as laundry detergents, are often bonded by chemicals call phthalates. “The manufacturers want you to smell the fragrance when you open the box, when you use the product, and then later when you smell the clothes,” says Martin Wolf, director of product and environmental technology at Seventh Generation, a company that creates nontoxic and earth-friendly cleansers. “Fragrances in nature disperse quickly; [phthalates] bond the fragrance to the clothing so you keep smelling it.” Wolf adds that air-freshening products of all varieties are also worth avoiding. Natural odor-removers such as baking soda and fresh air are good alternatives.Petroleum-based surfactants
Another group of chemicals, alkyl phenoxy ethoxylates (APEs), are lesser known, but still quite suspicious. These are surfactants, or agents that cause water surface tension to break more easily, and they’re common in laundry detergents and fabric softeners. In animal studies, APEs have been associated with reduced sperm count and testicular size. Because they’re not readily biodegradable, APEs enter the water system after they’re washed out of your laundry. And while the effect on humans is not yet proven, it’s worth noting that one member of the APE family of chemicals, nonoxyl-9, is used as a spermicide.Solvents
The solvents found in many glass cleaners, carpet cleaners, hard-surface cleaners, and oven cleaners contain EGBE, or 2-butoxyethanol, which evidence links to fertility problems in lab animals. “What people don’t consider is that a solvent that tells you it cuts through grease is also something that easily gets through the skin and into the body,” says Devra Lee Davis, M.P.H., director of the Center of Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and professor of epidemiology at the Graduate School of Public Health. "Studies in China, where fertility is very closely monitored, show links to decreased fertility in women with high exposure to these chemicals."Making safer choices
The safest choice for anyone hoping to have children is to exercise caution. “Reproduction is an exquisitely sensitive and complicated process,” Davis says. “And chemicals are all tested one at a time, but we’re not exposed one at a time. We’re really limited in our capacity to understand the effect these mixtures are having on the body.”Part of what makes choosing safe cleaners so difficult is the lack of clear labeling. Check the manufacturer’s website and look up the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to find out what’s in that bottle (even though the MSDS don’t typically list all ingredients—just those the manufacturer deems hazardous). For more information, contact the customer service number on the packaging and ask what’s in the product. “Any company that won’t say anything is a company you should not trust,” Seventh Generation’s Wolf says.
Three ways to clean green
Seventh Generation. One of the first companies to take on conventional cleaners, Seventh Generation readily discloses what’s inside their products. There’s a functional ingredient list on the back of each bottle, and a complete ingredient list on the company's website. All of the cleaners (with the exception of the automatic dishwasher detergents) are produced without petroleum-based ingredients and are biodegradable and nontoxic. Looking for a truly unscented and dye-free alternative? Try the new “Free & Clear” line.Holy Cow. The gimmick may be candy-colored bottles and a happy cow, but these products are the real deal when it comes to safe, effective cleaning. Holy Cow offers nontoxic glass, all-purpose, and concentrated cleaners that the company claims are strong enough to degrease a car engine, but gentle enough to use on your dishes.
Make-it-yourself cleaners. If you’re feeling industrious, you can mix your own products. Women’s Voices for the Earth has a link to several recipes for different nontoxic cleaners. Try this all-purpose cleaner: Mix two cups of white vinegar and two cups of water. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance if you like. To boost the cleaning power for tough jobs, microwave the mixture in a glass container until barely hot.
8. Stress
Can stress get in the way of getting pregnant?
Stress can interfere with conception. In fact, if you're having a
hard time getting pregnant, people may have already said to you, "Just
relax and it will happen." Although this can feel insulting, there's a
kernel of truth to it.
That's because stress can affect the functioning of the hypothalamus — the gland in the brain that regulates your appetite and emotions, as well as the hormones that tell your ovaries to release eggs. If you're stressed out, you may ovulate later in your cycle or not at all. So if you're only having sex around day 14, thinking that you're about to ovulate, you may miss your opportunity to conceive.
It's important to differentiate between constant and sudden stress. If your stress level is high but fairly consistent, your body will likely acclimate to it and you'll probably still ovulate each cycle. It's sudden stress —such as an accident or a death in the family — that can throw your cycle off and interfere with ovulation.
Of course, this varies from woman to woman. Some women find that even a trip out of town can delay ovulation. Others have found that a severely traumatic incident didn't impact their cycle at all.
It's also important to remember that stress isn't only a reaction to something negative. Positive stress can also affect your cycle, causing you to ovulate later or not at all. Brides often report strange cycles because they're happily stressed about their weddings.
If you're trying to get pregnant and you're under stress, your cervical fluid may give you a warning that something's amiss. Rather than noticing increasing cervical fluid wetness as you approach ovulation, you might find patches of wetness interspersed with dry days. It's as if your body is trying to ovulate, but the stress continues to delay it.
You'll be able to confirm when you have indeed ovulated by tracking your basal body temperature. You should see a sustained rise about a day after ovulation, lasting about 12 to 16 days.
The good news is that delayed ovulation simply lengthens your entire cycle. It doesn't shorten the luteal phase — typically lasting 12 to 16 days after ovulation to the start of your next menstrual period. This is important because a short luteal phase has been linked to early miscarriage.
So while stress may impact when you ovulate, it won't necessarily mess with your chances of a successful pregnancy, as long as you know how to identify when ovulation is about to occur by charting your cervical fluid
.
That's because stress can affect the functioning of the hypothalamus — the gland in the brain that regulates your appetite and emotions, as well as the hormones that tell your ovaries to release eggs. If you're stressed out, you may ovulate later in your cycle or not at all. So if you're only having sex around day 14, thinking that you're about to ovulate, you may miss your opportunity to conceive.
It's important to differentiate between constant and sudden stress. If your stress level is high but fairly consistent, your body will likely acclimate to it and you'll probably still ovulate each cycle. It's sudden stress —such as an accident or a death in the family — that can throw your cycle off and interfere with ovulation.
Of course, this varies from woman to woman. Some women find that even a trip out of town can delay ovulation. Others have found that a severely traumatic incident didn't impact their cycle at all.
It's also important to remember that stress isn't only a reaction to something negative. Positive stress can also affect your cycle, causing you to ovulate later or not at all. Brides often report strange cycles because they're happily stressed about their weddings.
If you're trying to get pregnant and you're under stress, your cervical fluid may give you a warning that something's amiss. Rather than noticing increasing cervical fluid wetness as you approach ovulation, you might find patches of wetness interspersed with dry days. It's as if your body is trying to ovulate, but the stress continues to delay it.
You'll be able to confirm when you have indeed ovulated by tracking your basal body temperature. You should see a sustained rise about a day after ovulation, lasting about 12 to 16 days.
The good news is that delayed ovulation simply lengthens your entire cycle. It doesn't shorten the luteal phase — typically lasting 12 to 16 days after ovulation to the start of your next menstrual period. This is important because a short luteal phase has been linked to early miscarriage.
So while stress may impact when you ovulate, it won't necessarily mess with your chances of a successful pregnancy, as long as you know how to identify when ovulation is about to occur by charting your cervical fluid
.
9. Hot tubs
Should we steer clear of the hot tub while trying to get pregnant?
Men who are trying to become dads should probably avoid frequent dips in
the hot tub because the testes are very sensitive to heat. Men's testes
are outside the body for a reason — they need to be in a cooler
environment to produce healthy sperm.
It can take two to three months to produce a mature sperm cell and it's the immature sperm that are especially vulnerable, so a trip to the hot tub in January can impact developing sperm that's released as late as March, even April.
In the same way, the sperm count of an avid bicyclist who rides nearly every day might be lowered as a result of heat around the scrotum, which is sandwiched between his legs and bike seat.
Hot tubs, bicycling, saunas — even wearing tight underwear — are probably okay in moderation, but a man with a marginal sperm count might want to pass on these activities while he's trying to help his partner conceive.
There's no evidence to suggest that heat affects a woman's eggs, but we do know that hot tubs and saunas aren't recommended during pregnancy. Some studies show that raising your body temperature during early pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, and a 2003 study found that women who used hot tubs early in pregnancy were twice as likely to miscarry. If you really want to play it safe, skip the hot tub for now or limit visits to the weeks just prior to ovulation.
Wearing tight pants or underwear won't damage a woman's eggs, but I don't recommend it because it's not conducive to gynecological health. Yeast infections flourish when tight clothing traps heat and moisture. Try not to wear anything synthetic against your vagina. Stick to cotton underwear, or at least panties with a cotton crotch.
Thong underwear, in particular, is more likely to act as a conduit for bacteria from the rectum to the vagina because of the way it fits, so I suggest you avoid wearing a thong every day, whether you're trying to get pregnant or not.
And if you do have a yeast infection, avoid sex until it clears up. Not only will intercourse be uncomfortable, you can pass the infection to your partner who can then re-infect you, creating a cycle that's hard to break.
It can take two to three months to produce a mature sperm cell and it's the immature sperm that are especially vulnerable, so a trip to the hot tub in January can impact developing sperm that's released as late as March, even April.
In the same way, the sperm count of an avid bicyclist who rides nearly every day might be lowered as a result of heat around the scrotum, which is sandwiched between his legs and bike seat.
Hot tubs, bicycling, saunas — even wearing tight underwear — are probably okay in moderation, but a man with a marginal sperm count might want to pass on these activities while he's trying to help his partner conceive.
There's no evidence to suggest that heat affects a woman's eggs, but we do know that hot tubs and saunas aren't recommended during pregnancy. Some studies show that raising your body temperature during early pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, and a 2003 study found that women who used hot tubs early in pregnancy were twice as likely to miscarry. If you really want to play it safe, skip the hot tub for now or limit visits to the weeks just prior to ovulation.
Wearing tight pants or underwear won't damage a woman's eggs, but I don't recommend it because it's not conducive to gynecological health. Yeast infections flourish when tight clothing traps heat and moisture. Try not to wear anything synthetic against your vagina. Stick to cotton underwear, or at least panties with a cotton crotch.
Thong underwear, in particular, is more likely to act as a conduit for bacteria from the rectum to the vagina because of the way it fits, so I suggest you avoid wearing a thong every day, whether you're trying to get pregnant or not.
And if you do have a yeast infection, avoid sex until it clears up. Not only will intercourse be uncomfortable, you can pass the infection to your partner who can then re-infect you, creating a cycle that's hard to break.
10. Marijuana-maybe
Will smoking pot affect our chances of getting pregnant?
It may. Some studies have shown that repeatedly consuming marijuana
is associated with significantly lower concentrations of reproductive
hormones in both men (testosterone) and women (dehydroepiandrosterone).
Lower concentrations of testosterone may result in decreased sperm
counts, and lower dehydroepiandrosterone may affect egg production.
There haven't been any rigorous, conclusive scientific studies proving for certain whether smoking marijuana affects fertility. But why take the risk?
Perhaps the best reason to give up drugs now is that it's not safe to smoke pot during pregnancy.
Some studies suggest that smoking marijuana regularly during pregnancy puts a woman and her baby at higher risk for premature birth and low birth weight. And because smoking marijuana (or tobacco) increases carbon monoxide levels in the bloodstream, the baby gets less oxygen, which may affect his growth.
Other studies show that children exposed to marijuana during pregnancy have different brain activity and more disturbed sleeping patterns as toddlers. They may also have behavior problems, such as impulsiveness and attention deficits, but more studies are needed to know for sure.
Plus, marijuana isn't regulated for patients who are trying to conceive, so you never know what you're getting. It may be contaminated with other drugs or herbicides that could place your baby-to-be at even greater risk.
If you smoke pot, I suggest waiting a month or so after your last hit before trying to conceive. It'll take at least a month to get all traces of the drug out of your system.
There haven't been any rigorous, conclusive scientific studies proving for certain whether smoking marijuana affects fertility. But why take the risk?
Perhaps the best reason to give up drugs now is that it's not safe to smoke pot during pregnancy.
Some studies suggest that smoking marijuana regularly during pregnancy puts a woman and her baby at higher risk for premature birth and low birth weight. And because smoking marijuana (or tobacco) increases carbon monoxide levels in the bloodstream, the baby gets less oxygen, which may affect his growth.
Other studies show that children exposed to marijuana during pregnancy have different brain activity and more disturbed sleeping patterns as toddlers. They may also have behavior problems, such as impulsiveness and attention deficits, but more studies are needed to know for sure.
Plus, marijuana isn't regulated for patients who are trying to conceive, so you never know what you're getting. It may be contaminated with other drugs or herbicides that could place your baby-to-be at even greater risk.
If you smoke pot, I suggest waiting a month or so after your last hit before trying to conceive. It'll take at least a month to get all traces of the drug out of your system.
