Water, Water and More Water

When trying to conceive it is very important to drink lots of water about 8-10 cups a day. This helps to "clean out" your system and helps to increase fertile quality cervical fluid. Also, it’s a good habit to begin for pregnancy - when drinking a lot of water is imperative.

Prenatal Vitamins

It’s important to start prenatal vitamins while you are trying to conceive. It gets you in a good habit and the folic acid in prenatals help to prevent certain birth defects. Prenatal vitamins also contain a good amount of calcium and iron which are beneficial in pregnancy.

Dosage

It is beneficial to take at least 50 mg (up to 200 mg) of vitamin B6 daily - all cycle long. I saw great results with just 63 mg of the B6 a day.

As with any supplement, be sure to seek the advise of your physican before starting a new regimen.

Day 14 Myth

A lot of people assume that women automatically ovulate on day 14 of their cycle. This is not true. Women can ovulate as early as day 6 and as late as day 30 or later. Many factors affect ovulation - hormones, stress, health, etc. Through proper fertility charting you can pinpoint the exact day of ovulation.

Orgasm

Orgasm helps to increase the chances of conception. Orgasm increases the blood-flow to the reproductive organs helping them to function better. Orgasm also helps the cervix to "suck" up sperm in the vagina, thus helping the sperm to reach the awaiting egg.
*Note: Conception is possible without female orgasm - it just increases the chances of conception occuring.

Pre-Pregnancy Exam

Before you start trying to conceive you should schedule a pelvic exam. Your doctor will give you a pap smear as well as check for an abonormalities in a regular exam of the uterus and ovaries. Tell them you are planning on getting pregnant and ask them about a prescription for prenatal vitamins.

Charts

In order to effectively chart your fertility signs, you will need a good chart. You can download your chart from a number of websites, such as www.fertilityplus.org or you can make your own. If you buy a brand new basal body thermometer, the package should contain a blank one you can copy. Or you can purchase a book such as Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and copy the charts in the back of her book.

When To Test

Given the fact that implantation normally takes place from 7 to 10 days after ovulation - an extremely sensitive test can give a positive test result 1 day after implantation. Most directions say that you can test on the day your cycle is due. However you can test much earlier if you can pinpoint ovulation and possible implantation. I received a positive test result 4 days before my menstural cycle was due.

Nutrition

While trying to conceive it’s very important to maintain proper nutrition. Eat healthy portions from all the food groups everyday and avoid excess sugars and fat. Especially be sure to get plenty of calcium to maintain healthy bones and to help build a healthy baby.

Breaking Bad Habits

Breaking bad habits while trying to conceive is important. Quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and limit your intake of caffine. These things can greatly harm a developing fetus.

The Lifespan of an Egg

An egg is released from the ovaries once each month in the menstrual cycle. The egg will only live for a short 12 to 24 hours. The window for conception to occur is very narrow and it is imperative that the sperm be waiting for the egg once it is released.

Discovering Anovulation

Anovulation can be discovered through charting. If your temperatures never show a rise and if they are very irratic you are anovulatory. Cervical fluid and cervical position can be all over the place as well.

Calcium

Eating foods rich in calcium is important to maintain healthy bones in both you and your developing baby. Dairy foods contain maximum amounts of calcium. If you are unable to eat dairy foods, take a calcium supplement.

A False Negative

The chances of receiving a false negative test result is greater than that of a false positive. The reasons for a false negative are that your body may not be producing enough hCG for that particular test to detect. Some women have gone as long as 17 days post ovulation before receiving a positive home pregnancy test result.

Postcoital Test

A postcoital test is done soon after having intercourse. The doctor obtains a sample of the cervical fluid. This is to determine if the sperm can survive in your cervical fluid. The test is performed just prior to ovulation.

False-Positives?

If you’ve received a false positive on a home pregnancy it is one of two things. 1. The hpt was faulty.
2. You were indeed pregnant and suffered an early miscarriage (chemical pregnancy) - one that occurs around the time the menstrual cycle is due.

Herb Dosages - PLEASE READ

It is extremely important to avoid certain herbs from ovulation to menstruation for the simple fact that it may be a danger to the unborn baby should a pregnancy occurs. So many herbs I have not heard whether or not they are safe to take during pregnancy. So to be cautious, unless I state otherswise it would be best to only take from menstruation to ovulation.

Sperm Facts

Sperm can live up to 5 days inside the fallopian tubes. Female sperm are slower and live longer than the fast male sperm.

Normal Pre-Ovulation Temperatures

Every woman is different, so is her basal body temperature (BBT). What is normal for one may indicate a problem for another. Normally, pre-ovulation BBT’s are in the 96.0 F to 98.0 F range.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound exams are given on the day of the luetenizing hormone (LH) surge. The ultrasound determines the thickness of the uterine lining, the follicle development and the condition of the ovaries and uterus. This is often when endometriosis is first diagnosed.

Avoiding Stretchmarks

Unfortunately, stretch marks are a genetic disposition. If your mother has them - you very likely will get them too. Actually during pregnancy there is no way of completely avoiding them, if you are genetically engineered to have them. Retin A and laser treatments do well to get rid of them - however neither one of them are safe to use during pregnancy. Possible helps to avoid stretchmarks would be to apply creams and lotions - such as cocoa butter creams to help the skin stay moisturized and possibly help to avoid those stretch marks.

Low Estrogen

A possible indicator of low estrogen could be if your pre-ovulation temperatures are on the high side. Estrogen will normally cause the basal body temperature to be low. Another indication of estrogen is the quality of cervical fluid around ovulation. Estrogen will help the body to produce more of the fertile quality cervical fluid.

The Recommendation Of Checking the Cervix

The cervical position can show where you in your cycle. However there is a small danger in checking the cervix. Some doctors say it can introduce germs and can cause infections if the cervix is checked too often. If you wish to check the cervical position be sure to thoroughly wash your hands prior to the check. There are many women who use this particular sign every month to help them pinpoint where they are in their menstrual cycle.

Charting Every Day

If you are charting your fertility signs, be sure to chart every day. While it is not fully necessary to take your temperature on the days of menstruation, it is a good idea to go ahead and keep in the habit of temping every morning. Make a habit every day to run down the list and mark it off of your chart - temperature, cervical fluid, cervical position and any variations you need to record.

Costs of Pregnancy

Before you start trying to conceive, it is a good idea to think of the costs of prenatal care. Do you have insurance that covers maternity? If so, can you afford the deductibles and copays? If you have no insurance, keep in mind that most doctors and hospitals want the entire bill paid by the 7th month of pregnancy.

Progesterone Cream

If you have a luteal phase defect - using progesterone cream from ovulation to menstruation/pregnancy will help to lengthen the luteal phase. Use an all-natural progesterone cream (I recommend Happy PMS Cream) 1/4-1/2 teaspoon twice a day rubbed on inner thighs, belly, chest, arms, neck - alternating areas each application. The cream is safe to use when early pregant.

Natural Remedies of Anovulation

The herb Vitex and Dong Quai can help to regulate hormones thus bringing on ovulation. It’s extremely important not to take these with any other medications - as they can react. ALWAYS seek the advice of your physician before taking any new supplement. Evening Primrose Oil can help with producing fertile quality cervical fluid (a symptom of anovualtion) and vitamin B6 can help to lengthen the luteal phase.

Charting Your Fertility Signs

The charting of your fertility signs can greatly help in determining if you are indeed ovulating, are pregnant, or are having problems with your fertility. The areas you can chart are basal body temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position. You will need a good chart, a basal body thermometer and the willingness to get to know your body to start charting.