If you and your partner are trying to conceive, diet and nutrition are an important part of increasing your odds. Both men and women need to keep an eye on the foods they are eating.

Adding items to the menu that are not only healthier but also known to increase sperm count can help increase the chances of conception.

Family planning, also known as contraception or birth control, is a way to control unwanted pregnancies. Many methods of family planning are available, so each couple should be able to find one that is right for them. Talk to your health-care provider to determine the best type of birth control for you. When picking out the best method of contraception, a doctor factors in your health and whether you have and want children.

Study after study has shown the adverse effects that cigarette smoking has on a woman's reproductive system. Especially at risk are the fragile egg cells inside a woman's ovaries known as oocytes. The chemicals found in cigarette smoke can mutate the DNA of these egg cells, leading to reproductive and fertility problems. Besides nicotine, a highly addictive chemical, cigarette smoke contains a number of other dangerous and poisonous chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, cyanide and arsenic.

Tubular pregnancies are abnormal pregnancies that occur when a woman's fertilized egg becomes slowed down or stuck inside one of her fallopian tubes on the way to the uterus. Tubular pregnancies are also called ectopic pregnancies--ectopic means "out of place"--though more than 95 percent of ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes and are thus tubular. These pregnancies are typically caused by a buildup of scar tissue in the fallopian tube or by certain birth defects.

In vitro fertilization is common option for couples facing fertility problems. Performed at licensed fertility clinics and by licensed physicians, the method involves several steps. The process involves ovulation induction, egg retrieval, fertilization and implantation of embryos into the uterus.

For many couples, having a baby is one of the highlights of their life. For other couples, infertility is a cold reality they must face for months and sometimes years. Infertility can be caused from a single factor, multiple issues in the man or woman or a combination of issues between both partners.

Having a baby is the dream of infertile couples. Many of these couples spend many years and countless dollars trying to conceive. In some cases, an infertility specialist might recommend the use of fertility pills. Included in the list of possible side effects of fertility pills is an increased chance of multiple births, generally twins.

Surrogacy is a very controversial subject. Some religious organizations forbid their members from participating in surrogacy, no matter how desperate they are to have a child. Whatever the reason that couples might consider surrogacy, they must carefully weigh the pros and cons before proceeding. There are different factors that people who are considering surrogacy have to go through, from the time to decide whether they would go forward with it, to choosing the surrogate mother, the procedures involved, the fees required and the overall time frame. Each of these factors has its own pros and cons.

Many couples look for ways to improve fertility without turning to expensive treatments. The good news is that you can improve your health, and your fertility, with a few simple steps. Consider these 5 simple ways to improve your fertility, and as a bonus, start taking better care of your overall health.

The Plan B pill is emergency contraception that can be used up to 72 hours after a birth control failure or unprotected sex. Plan B is Levonorgestrel taken in two doses 12 hours apart. Women over 18 can purchase Plan B from their pharmacist without a prescription, making it a safe and accessible option when you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy. Learn the risks of Plan B, the benefits, and how and when to use Plan B.