[joezwifey2008]

My husband and I have been together for almost 3 years now. We've been married almost a month, but we've been trying to get pregnant for nearly 2 years. I finally went out and bought an ovulation tester kit, and I've been using it for a few days now. I found another website to help predict ovulation and it says I should be ovulation on the 11th. Well, I am hoping my kit will also say the same thing when that day comes.

Now, what I am wanting to ask is, why is it taking me so long? I've been to the doctor and everything seems normal. The only thing I do is smoke and my husband does too. Could that be causing it? And honestly, if that's the reason it's a little dumb, because I have friends/family etc that have smoked and gotten pregnant and also who smoked during their whole pregnancy.

If anyone has any information PLEASE fill me in. I am clueless and I feel that I am going insnane. My husband has 2 children so I know it's not him. No infertility problems run in my family so why is this happening to me?

[DoulaLC]

When you say everything seems normal, did your doctor actually do some testing on both of you? While your husband may already have two children, that doesn't exempt him from needing to be tested as well. Secondary infertility plays a role in the lack of being able to conceive for many couples. The online sites give you a starting place, but certainly many women ovulate outside of the norm so the sites won't work for everyone.

Smoking can have an effect on your's and your husband's fertility and when you combine them it may be enough to be an issue for you.

Obviously some people do become pregnant while smoking, but it doesn't mean it won't be the, or one of the, deciding factors in your situation. Different substances will effect people differently. There are people who never get cancer from smoking, but we know that doesn't mean it won't happen to someone else.

Both of you should try to cut back if you aren't able to actually quit altogether... doing it together might help it be easier. If you haven't already, other than with the ovulation sites online, try to determine when you are most likely fertile. The ovulation kit is a good start, they work well for some women. Also watch for changes in cervical mucus... it often will show a noticeable change to more fluid, clear, and abundant discharge shortly before ovulation. Since it has been a couple of years, check with your doctor about having some initial testing done as these other methods may let you know your body is preparing to ovulate, but not that it actually is.

It's frustrating, I know, but it can take quite awhile for some couples, so do all that you can to give yourselves the best odds.