Alcohol doesn't affect the eggs but most sources recommend that if you are trying to conceive, you should at least abstain from alcohol from just before ovulation until AF shows up (then you can hit the bottle with a vengeance and maybe smash the glass while you're at it). I think this is only because it isn't good on a developing embryo, rather than an egg. As you say Sheree, our eggs are all there before we're born and really the only other factor brought to bear is advanced maternal age (usually after 35). These problems are inherently those of metabolism (ie, not enough puff to complete the job of fertilisation, implantation and cleavage) or problems with the chromosomes.

My DH did smoke but has been on the patch for a while now. Although the patch still has nicotine in it, the other harmful substances in ciggies have been weeded out so hopefully he will give us a good sample. Like your DH, Tam, my DH's sperm tests were all normal - excellent even - even when his smoking was at its heaviest. I know what you mean about hating it. He gave it up for me so I'm pretty happy about it really. Looking forward to the day when he can chuck those patches away for good.

All this aside, has anyone ever noticed that there still seem to be a large number of people who smoke, drink and take drugs and it doesn't seem to affect their fertility one iota? How does that work?