If you are like most people, you need that morning cup of joe to get your day off to a good start. And in moderation, we’ve all been told that it’s just fine. Well, new research shows that it might not be for those women who are trying to conceive a baby. In fact, caffeine can negatively affect the transport of an egg, which can result in delayed pregnancy. So, if you are eager to have a baby, you may want to think about switching to decaf or other caffeine-free beverages like juice or water to help reduce your daily caffeine consumption. While this study didn’t focus on a specific amount of caffeine necessary for an effect to be seen, it did discuss the mechanism of how it can affect pregnancy. Basically, caffeine inhibits the slow waves and contractions of the fallopian tubes, which are necessary for transporting an egg to the womb for conception. Knowing not just why, but how this occurs helps to provide one possible explanation for those who are dealing with infertility. In the meantime, if you can’t eliminate caffeine from your day all-together, you can certainly take steps to reduce it and prepare your body for pregnancy. In addition, there are other steps you can take to increase your chances of not only conceiving, but also having a healthy baby once you do. 1. Reduce caffeine consumption (coffee, soda, chocolate, etc.) 2. Start taking prenatal vitamins the moment you stop birth control methods 3. Get a preconception check-up with your OB/GYN. 4. Stop smoking. 5. Reduce alcohol and abstain from it during the last two weeks of your cycle once you are actively trying to conceive. 6. Implement an exercise regimen that’s approved by your doctor. With infertility on the rise these days, trying to get pregnant is not something to be taken lightly. Ironically, small changes like reducing the amount of coffee that you drink could actually help to speed things up in the pregnancy department.