Tips for Trying to Conceive

So far, I've blogged about different topics in infertility.  Let's take a step backwards and go over some of the basics in trying to conceive.  The most fertile period of a woman's cycle is right around ovulation.  Determining when ovulation takes place is therefore key to getting pregnant.  If a woman's cycle is more than 36 days or less than 25 days in length, then she may not be ovulating at all.  So, she should see a doctor.  For everyone else, ovulation usually occurs about 14 days before the start of the next period.  We count menstrual cycles from the start of a period (don't count spotting, wait until it is more of a full flow) to the start of the next period.  So if you cycle is 28 days long, you are probably ovulating on day 14.  If it is 30 days long, you are probably ovulating on day 16.  You get the idea.

You can use two methods to pinpoint when you are ovulating a little more accurately.  Basal Body Temperature Charts are fairly inexpensive, but can be a little frustrating at times.  You'll need a thermometer to start.  Digital ones are probably the easiest, as you will need to determine your temperature to a tenth of a degree (e.g. 98.6).   Each morning, before you get out of bed or do anything else, take your temperature.  You then plot each temperature on graph paper or there are App's and websites (e.g. fertilityfriend.com) that will do it for you.  What you are supposed to see is that your temperature hovers around one area, drops down, and then jumps up to a new temperature where it stays until you get your period.  The day of ovulation is the day it drops down.  This can sometimes be a little hard to pinpoint until you see it jump up.  By the time it jumps up, however, it is too late to try to conceive.  If you cycles are like clockwork, however, you can use these charts to predict when you will ovulate next cycle.  If you don't see the dip or the jump up, don't panic.  These temperature charts can be a little hard to interpret some times.  Try one more method before you determining that you are not ovulating.

The other method is using ovulation predictor tests.  These look just like home pregnancy tests, but they are for figuring out when you are ovulating.  Unfortunately, they do vary in quality, so be careful which brand you buy.  Consumer Reports tests them every once in a while, and ClearBlue Easy usually comes out on top.  That is the brand I usually recommend.  The box will have several tests in it (usually about 5), so that you can test for several days in a row.  Testing once a day should be plenty.  They should turn positive 24 to 36 hours before you actually ovulate.  If you are someone who drinks lots and lots of water, you may want to slow down for the days you are testing.  If your urine is too dilute (for instance, if it does not seem to have more than just a tinge of color to it), then you may not be able to find a positive.  Some women with a condition called PCOS or women in menopause can also get false positive tests.  All in all, though, these tests are extremely accurate.  The ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor is a small computer that uses the ovulation predictor strips to determine the day of ovulation.  They are also highly accurate.  If you are finding a positive test with the "pee on the stick" variety, the monitor is not likely to add anything.  It can be helpful, however,  if you are having trouble with the sticks.  Check eBay before you buy, as there are usually quite a few of them for sale there for a lot less than retail.

Now that you know when you are ovulating, the next step is to time intercourse to that.  It turns out that the best day to have intercourse for conception is the day before you ovulate, which is the day the ovulation test turns positive.  This is because the sperm will last 2-6 days, but the egg will only last 12-24 hours.  So you want the sperm waiting for the egg, not vice versa.  If you want to have intercourse on the day of ovulation as well, that may be helpful.  Beyond that day will not be useful at all.  The other thing to consider is the length of time it takes a man to recover and build back up his sperm counts.  Intercourse every day for more than 2 or three days in a row will start to deplete his sperm stores.  So before you ovulate, you don't want to be having intercourse more than every other day.  Don't try to store up sperm either, though.  If it has been more than 5 days, the sperm may be a little old and won't do as well either. So, to sum it all up, have intercourse every 2-4 days before ovulation, on the day before ovulation (the day the ovulation test turns positive), and then possibly the day of ovulation too.  After that, relax and forget about days of the cycle for a while.

There does not seem to be a position that is better for conceiving, but you do want to stay laying down afterwards for at least 15 minutes.  Try not to use lubricants, as they often have chemicals in them which can kill sperm.  If you do need a lubricant, try PreSeed or ConceiveEase.  These were both designed to be "sperm friendly".  They are not in all pharmacies, so check the internet to see where you can get them near you.   There is a misconception that these two products will increase your chances of conceiving, though.  They won't increase your chances, they just don't decrease your chances.  So if you do not need a lubricant, then save your money.  Egg whites and mineral will also do as a lubricant, but they can be a little messy. You also want to avoid ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, etc) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) and any prescription product in this family of medications (NSAID's) like Celebrex.  They may interfere with the eggs ability to ovulate from the ovary.  Tylenol is fine, if you need a pain medication.  Both partners should stay out of saunas, hot tubs, hot baths, etc while trying to conceive. Avoid alcohol and PLEASE don't smoke.  Smoking kills both eggs and sperm.  Marijuana is also a bad idea.  It is a mild estrogen and will lower sperm counts and may interfere with ovulation.

Those are the basics of how to try to get pregnant.  If you have being using these methods for 6 months or more without success, it may be time to see a doctor.  Your gynecologist may be able to help, or you could see a specialist called a Reproductive Endocrinologist.   This link:

http://www.socrei.org/detail.aspx?id=4725

 will allow you to search for a board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist near you. If you don't have either one of those near you, try your family doctor.   I wish you all the best of luck!