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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.