How Ovulation Happens

There are a couple of things every woman can do to help ensure that her ovaries work to their maximal potential. First of all, don't smoke. There is excellent evidence that cigarette smoking not only makes it harder to get pregnant, but it also has a very deleterious effect on ovarian reserves. Women who smoke typically have far fewer functional eggs remaining in their ovaries than does someone their age who does not smoke.

Secondly, watch your caffeine intake. Consuming more than the equivalent of a couple of cups of coffee per day has a negative effect on your chances of conceiving.

Finally, if you are even considering getting pregnant, it is a good idea to take a prenatal or multivitamin. While this may not affect your chances of conceiving, taking a prenatal vitamin does help to decrease your risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects.