by Becky Robbins

Created on: September 14, 2009   Last Updated: November 25, 2009

The decision to have a baby is an exciting one, but it does not always happen right away. If you decided to wait to have a child, you may find it more challenging to become pregnant. Although that is not usually the case, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of conceiving.

1. Track your menstrual cycle.

Keeping track of your menstrual cycle on a calendar can serve two purposes. Understanding the length of your menstrual cycle and the time it occurs is very important for charting fertility. If you experience any symptoms, whether regular symptoms or unique to that particular cycle, these are important to track as well. This will also help you answer any questions that your doctor might ask. There are ovulation tests on the market that can also help you track when you ovulate. When trying to pinpoint the best time for intercourse, this will be helpful.

2. Have intercourse before you ovulate.

Studies show that sperm can live between three and five days within your body. The survival period of an egg is shorter at only 24 hours. Having intercourse a few days before you ovulate will help increase your chance of getting pregnant. At this point, it is a waiting game to see if you had success.

3. Don't make intercourse a chore.

When you want to get pregnant, you want it to happen right away. The chance of you getting pregnant right away is very slim. Don't let the stress get to you though. This can have a negative effect on the process. Sex needs to remain fun and relaxed, even though you are working towards the goal of conception. You can keep romance flowing with candles and massages. Aromatherapy and massage are great relaxation techniques and can help relieve any tension. If you have an orgasm, this helps the sperm move through the uterus. It is a great way to increase your chance of conception.

4. Stop the bad habits.

If you smoke or drink, now is the time to quit. While smoking is an unhealthy habit for anyone, it is particularly harmful for women trying to conceive. Studies have shown that smoking might actually speed up menopause by several years. This means the loss of eggs may happen quicker, thereby reducing the chance of getting pregnant. Men who are looking to become fathers should also think about quitting. It can damage their sperm and actually lower the sperm count, affecting the odds of them impregnating a woman.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is a big no-no. Consuming alcohol affects the quality of both eggs and sperm. It can contribute

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