Are you making plans to have a baby?  Or have you been trying to conceive without success?   Getting pregnant seems easy for so many - but can evade even the most fertile of couples.  Sometimes it just takes time - and a little bit more focus on your health and well being.

There are several things that can compromise a woman's fertility - and many things that can help to increase fertility chances.  Let's take a look at some areas you should focus on when trying to get pregnant.

*If you have been on the pill but are ready to stop, your periods will probably be different for a few months.  Some women find they bleed more, some less.  Surprisingly, as soon as you go off the pill you are probably more fertile than you will be three months after stopping.  After these three months, chances for conception decrease for several more months.  If you have had a contraceptive injection, it can take up to a year for your periods to regulate. 

*Smoking causes great risk to you and your baby's body.  Stop smoking immediately.

*Exercise should become an important part of your life while you are trying to conceive.  It will improve your immune system while reducing stress - a major factor in your way of becoming pregnant.  You will have greater energy, will lose weight and gain muscle.  As your health improves, you are preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy.

*Cleansing your body from the inside out will prepare your body for conception.  Concentrate on a diet that will help to detoxify your liver.  Avoid caffeine, alcohol and foods heavily laden with chemicals, dyes and preservatives.  All of these tax your liver, making it harder for the liver to detoxify your body.  Eat more vegetables and fruit, while reducing your intake of red meat and fats.  Avoid orange juice, sugars, dairy, wheat, salt and processed foods.

*Drink two quarts of water a day.  If your urine is very yellow, you are not getting enough fluid.  Tap water contains trihalomethanes (THM's), which can cause health problems and miscarriage.  Try  to stick with bottled or filtered water.

*There are several nutrients that are very important for increasing fertility. 

• Amino Acids - These are found in protein-rich foods and are needed for healthy egg production.

• Vitamin A - This vitamin improves a woman's production of hormones.  Vitamin A can be found in eggs, yellow vegetables and fruit, milk, dark green vegetables and fish.  Do not eat liver for Vitamin A.  It has been known to cause serious health problems in women and fetuses.

• Beta-Carotene - This will regulate your period, improving your chances for conception.  It can be found in peas, carrots, broccoli, spinach and sweet potatoes.

• Vitamin B - The B vitamins increase a woman's hormones, improving fertility.  B can be found in molasses, whole grains, nuts, brown rice, egg yolks, fish, seeds, wheat germ, salmon, sweet potatoes, broccoli, strawberries, green vegetables, oysters, dried figs and avocados.

• Vitamin C - Vitamin C is an antioxidant that blocks damaging free radicals.  There is plenty of Vitamin C in strawberries, citrus fruits, cherries, cantaloupe, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet peppers, mangos, kiwi, pineapple, grapes, peas, potatoes, parsley and spinach.  Too much vitamin C can dry cervical mucus, so do not take over 1,000 mg a day.

• Folate - Folic acid is a must when trying to get pregnant.  It reduces the risk of birth defects and increases chances for conception.

• Iron - Iron deficiency can increase chances of miscarriage.  To increase iron, eat lean red meat, eggs, fish, molasses, poultry, dried fruit, cherries, green vegetables, spinach, parsley, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, nuts and sardines.

• Magnesium - Low magnesium will decrease fertility.  Kelp, green vegetables, tofu, beans, rye, millet and buckwheat all contain magnesium.

It's the Man's Turn!

Successful conception not only counts on a woman's healthy body, but a man's too.  A man's sperm quality is essential when trying to conceive.  There are several steps a man can take to improve his sperm count and quality.  Damaged sperm can take up to 100 days to recover.

*Heat can deter the healthy development of sperm.  If sperm cells are heated to over 93 degrees Fahrenheit, they can become damaged and will not function properly.  Avoid hot tubs, saunas and Jacuzzis.  Wear cotton boxer shorts rather than jockey shorts to keep sperm from overheating.  Avoid long drives, and never place your cell phone in between your legs while driving.

*Keep a healthy life, reducing stress levels wherever possible.  Exercise and eat healthy to promote healthy sperm.

*Alcohol interferes with the secretion of testosterone, lowering the sperm count.

*Smoking reduces sperm count and motility.  It also increases the risk of genetic defects in an embryo.  Stop smoking immediately when planning a family.

*Chemicals from marijuana build up in the testicles and can cause impotence as well as lower your sperm count.  Prescribed drugs can effect sperm count as well, so talk to your doctor about any prescriptions you are taking and what they may do to your body.

*Did you know that 40 percent of sperm damage is known to be caused by free radicals?  Protect your sperm from damage by taking antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E as well as beta-carotene and zinc.  Some high antioxidant foods are blueberries, blackberries, kale, garlic, Brussels sprouts, plums, red peppers, broccoli and red peppers.

*Avoid caffeine, which can reduce sperm count and motility.

*Extreme exercise may lower the sperm count.  Daily exercise is important for a healthy body, but excessive exercise should be avoided when planning a family.

Avoid milk which can contain estrogen.

*There are several nutrients a man should include in his diet to ensure healthy sperm:

• Amino Acids - Some men have had their sperm count doubled when taking a simple amino acid supplement such as L-arginine - preferably 500 mg a day.

• Vitamin A - This vitamin will increase a man's hormones.  Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit, oily fish and dark green leafy vegetables.

• Vitamin B6 combined with zinc will improve your count.  Green leafy vegetables contain vitamin B6.

• Low B-12 levels have been associated with low sperm counts.  Sardines, lamb and salmon contain B-12.  If you take a B-12 supplement, include calcium with it which will help with absorption.

• Folic acid improves motility and structure.  Take 200 to 400 mg a day.

• Vitamin C helps with sperm development.  Strawberries, citrus fruits, cherries, cantaloupe, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet peppers, mangos, kiwi, pineapple, grapes, peas, potatoes, parsley and spinach contain vitamin C.

• Manganese deficiency can result in testicular degeneration.  You can find manganese in whole grains, green vegetables, carrots, broccoli, beans, nuts, pineapples, oats, rye and eggs.

*You may have heard that when you are trying to get pregnant, intercourse should only take place every few days to help build sperm levels.  This is actually untrue.  The more the better - so when you are ovulating, enjoy every moment you have together!

*Stimulation increases hormones, improving fertility.  Touch each other at length before intercourse to increase hormones.

*Do not use any lubricants or oils when trying to get pregnant.

*Find positions that allow for deep penetration.

*After intercourse, remain in bed for 30 minutes.  Have you heard that standing on your head increases your chances for conception?  This is good for a laugh, but not necessary to increase your chances - laying down is sufficient.

*Try to avoid urinating for 30 minutes after intercourse.

*Do not drink alcohol when trying to conceive.

If you are having trouble conceiving, then you may be interested in the new product, Fertell.  This fertility test focuses on both the man and the woman.  It can be given at home - an extra plus.  Find out if the  at home fertility test Fertell is right for you.