Fertility Fact #7: Birth control choices have fertility implications.
It sounds like a cruel joke, but it's true, says Dr. Holmes. The method of contraception that a woman has used may also impact conception. Women who used progesterone injections of Depo-Provera may have to wait for normal fertility to resume after they've stopped using the drug. It may take women who use Lunelle, another injectable form of birth control, six months to a year to have a normal menstrual and ovulation cycle.

And while many women believe that the effects of the pill linger long after they stop using it, that's yet another myth. Furthermore, it's not necessary to wait several cycles to "wash out" oral contraceptives before getting started. In fact, immediately after the pill is stopped, there can be an ovulatory rebound effect, resulting in a super-fertile period. Despite the increased chances of conceiving right after stopping the pill, Dr. Holmes still recommends most of her patients go off it two or three months prior to trying to conceive. That way, you can more predictably determine the length of your cycle, identify your fertile days, and be able to better date when you conceived once you actually do get pregnant.

Oral contraceptives also help to preserve fertility — pill users have a decreased risk of illnesses that harm fertility, such as endometriosis. The bottom line? Take stock of your birth control choices before you decide you want to get pregnant.

Fertility Fact #8: Specific foods or diets do not have a large impact on fertility.
There is no magic diet that will increase the chances of sperm meeting egg; the best thing you can do is eat a diet high in nutrients and fiber and cut down on your consumption of highly processed foods. It's also important for couples trying to conceive to get plenty of folic acid, which helps prevent birth defects and can improve sperm count.

And while you may have heard that caffeine can hamper conception, don't toss out your favorite mug just yet. Though there have been reports that women who drank more than one cup of coffee daily were half as likely to conceive per cycle as those who drank less, researchers acknowledge that delayed conception could have been attributed to other factors, and subsequent studies have failed to find a significant link between moderate amounts of caffeine and fertility.

Some research has shown that zinc may improve sperm count, but don't go overboard on any one nutrient. Like so many things in life, fertility thrives on balance.

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.

Content courtesy of American Baby.