Moms want the best for their babies. From quality skin care products to a baby-proof home, you're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your child is healthy. But all of this can only begin with you. If you don't take care of yourself initially, your baby may never get the chance to do the things you so desperately hope for. Your body and your physical well-being are critical factors when trying to conceive.

Here is what you need to know about your health and a few things you might not have considered.

There are a number of factors that contribute to infertility, but your everyday physical health is probably the most significant. In fact, the way you treat your body and your health is often a top reason for conception difficulties. For example, smoking, weight (both too much and too little), previous sexually-transmitted diseases, stress and strenuous, frequent exercise all can lower your chances of conception, says fertility specialist Dr. Fady Sharara of the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine in Reston, Va.

"Smoking is detrimental to both eggs and sperm," says Dr. Peter Chang, director of Beth Israel Center for Infertility and Reproductive Health in New York City. "Therefore, people trying to conceive should quit." Also, he adds, anything in extreme (such as weight or stress) can cause irregular periods (or none at all), and that stops you from ovulating.

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