When it comes to trying to get pregnant, there are dozens and dozens of different factors that can affect your chances. Some of these factors are entirely out of your control. Medical problems, for example, aren’t usually something you can just overcome by wanting to. In some cases, you might need true medical intervention to address a fertility problem.

There are other fertility issues, however, that can be affected by your lifestyle. Making the right lifestyle choices can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Here are some of the things you can do to help maximize your chances of conception:

• Stop smoking. The fact of the matter is that smoking interferes with fertility. On top of that, if you do become pregnant, smoking can cause all sorts of trouble for your baby. From low birthweight babies to a number of different birth defects, tobacco use isn’t a good thing for your growing child. Quit smoking now, while you’re trying to conceive, and you’ll not only help your fertility but help protect your baby’s health.
• Watch out for alcohol overuse. Having a drink of wine with dinner shouldn’t interfere with your fertility. Drinking while you’re pregnant can cause problems, to be sure. And drinking to excess can definitely cause problems both with fertility and with your baby. Once you’re pregnant, you’re better off not drinking at all, and before you’re pregnant you’re better off with only one or two drinks no more than two or three times a week.
• Eat a balanced diet. Eating a balanced diet is good for your overall health, and it can help keep your hormone levels where they need to be in order to maximize your chances of becoming pregnant. Make sure to get enough leafy green vegetables, in particular, as they contain nutrients your body needs for conception and pregnancy.
• Exercise. Regular exercise keeps everything humming along as it should be. Intense exercise can sometimes interfere with ovulation, but most folks aren’t in any danger of that kind of situation.