The Trick to Getting Pregnant

So you've decided that it's time to start a family. You're thinking about baby names and trying to decide how many you want in your brood. You'll just quit the birth control and be pregnant in no time right? Wrong. It's a common misconception (no pun intended) among couples that as soon as the contraceptives are in the garbage, the second line will show up on that home pregnancy test. If only it were so easy. What you must remember is that getting pregnant is a complex biological process and there are no guarantees in the world of conception.

The first mistake that couples make is assuming that a woman can get pregnant anytime. In reality, the conception window is very narrow - only about 5 days in any given menstrual cycle. Sperm, as a general rule, is said to be able to live up to five days in the vaginal canal, though three days is a more realistic time frame. The female portion, the ovum (or egg) only lives 24-48 hours. With these numbers, a woman is most fertile in the three days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation.

The question that poses is obvious: When does a woman ovulate? If you'd like to subscribe to the old school, they'll tell you that every woman ovulates on day fourteen of her menstrual cycle. They're wrong, too. Every woman is different, so why should every menstrual cycle be the same? Some say that the best way to counter that is to just count back fourteen days from the day their next period is expected. Does this have to be so confusing? Not at all. If you'd like to have a good basic idea of when you ovulate, you should get a calendar. On that calendar, mark the date of your next expected period. Next, count backward from that date seventeen days. That will give you the date roughly three days before ovulation. Start having intercourse on that date and continue every other day until twelve days before your expected period. That should give you a reasonable chance at conceiving, but if you want a huge head start on the process, read on.

Another way to learn your ovulation schedule is to chart your basal body temperature or BBT. During your menstrual cycle, your temperature changes to reflect what your body is doing. During the first part of your cycle (the menstrual portion), your temperature stays low. When ovulation occurs, your temperature rises and stays elevated until it's time for menstruation again. The basics of BBT charting are simple. The first step is to buy a special thermometer designed to measure BBT. They are more accurate and give you a temperature of four digits (i.e. 97.56). These are available at most drug stores and even some super centers. You'll find them with the regular fever thermometers, but make sure it is a true BBT thermometer. That accuracy is very important. The next step is getting into a rhythm of taking your temperature every morning at the same time. It's easier than it sounds, I promise. Keep your BBT thermometer by your bed. When the alarm clock goes off in the morning, grab your thermometer and take your temperature before you do anything else - this includes talking or getting out of bed. The only way you can rely on that BBT reading is if you do it immediately upon waking. The final step is what puts some people off - you then chart your temperature. If you prefer, you can keep a graph by your bed and chart your temperature yourself. Printable charts are available for free online and can be found with a simple Google search. The easier method is to use a website designed for recording and interpreting BBT. The most popular website is www.fertilityfriend.com which will allow you to input your temperature along with symptoms, medical information such as medications, cervical mucus observations, and cervical position among other things. Fertility Friend will also interpret your chart for you so that even a rookie can read it.

Cervical mucus is also a good indicator of ovulation. Right after menstruation, there will be little or no cervical mucus. As you approach ovulation, cervical mucus will get thick and extremely moist. During ovulation, you will usually observe what is referred to as "egg white cervical mucus." This is the most sperm-friendly mucus that a woman can have and it greatly increases the survival of sperm thereby increasing chances of pregnancy. In the case that egg white cervical mucus is never observed, there are products available to increase quality mucus production or even substitute for it. Evening primrose oil is an excellent product for increasing cervical mucus quality and it's also been found to relieve some PMS symptoms such as cramps and moodiness. EPO can be found in pharmacies, health food stores, and any other store that stocks vitamins and supplements. It should be noted that EPO should be stopped as soon as ovulation is observed as it can cause uterine contractions, endangering a possible developing embryo. You should start EPO on day one of your cycle, or the first day of your period, and discontinue as soon as ovulation is observed. Another option is to substitute for quality cervical mucus. Although it's not common knowledge, if you're trying to get pregnant, you should know that every "regular" lubricant is like a death sentence for sperm. The sperm can't swim in the stuff and they end up dying before they reach their intended destination (your uterus, via your cervix). The only real answer to this problem is a product specially designed for such things. It's called Pre~Seed and is available online. This is another product that you can find with a quick Google search. It's sold in pre-filled applicators designed to insert the product directly into the vaginal canal, as close to the cervix as possible. It provides a healthy environment for sperm while also feeling very natural.

The final way to determine ovulation is by using predictor kits that are available at your local pharmacy (usually found near the pregnancy tests). These are made very much like home pregnancy tests. Once the test is exposed to your urine, it tests for luteinizing hormone (LH). Just before ovulation, women experience a surge where LH rises to a higher level. By knowing when the surge occurs, you can better pinpoint when ovulation is about to occur. The positive ovulation predictor test means that ovulation will occur within 12 to 48 hours with 36 hours being most common. Using that logic, once you have a positive ovulation predictor test in hand, you should have intercourse that day and the two following days to maximize your chances of getting pregnant. Another option along the same lines is the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor which tests for LH as well as estrogen, which also surges just before ovulation. By testing for estrogen as well, the monitor will give you a better idea of when ovulation is about to occur so that you may plan accordingly. With a price tag near $200, the monitor is only for those who are willing to make a real investment into the effort to get pregnant.

In the end, the most important part of getting pregnant is remembering that it's not always easy. The process can be hard and it most likely will be emotional. Not getting pregnant immediately can cause a couple to feel inadequate, which can quickly lead to depression. Though it's normal for the process to take some time, you should always contact your doctor if you feel that things aren't progressing the way you'd like. Fertility testing and treatment usually don't start until after one year of dedicated trying, but your doctor may be able to offer some insight before that point. Try to stay sane and remember that even in perfectly healthy couples, there's only a 25% chance of getting pregnant during any given cycle.