Sunday January 29, 2012
For some of you, the mechanics of ovulation and reproduction are easy. But for those just starting out, or those who never bothered with the basics, there may be holes in your knowledge. Reproduction is usually studied to some degree in high school, but who really paid attention to the details then anyway? (Especially difficult to pay attention when you're busy giggling, as most high students do during health class!)
Here are some female reproduction basics. There won't be a test, but the more you know, the more in control you may feel and the better you can understand when things go wrong.
Image (c) A.D.A.M.
Wednesday January 25, 2012
Here's a resolution many trying-to-conceiver'ers can (or should!) get behind - try to be less obsessive regarding your trying to conceive efforts. I'm not expecting anyone to totally drop their intense focus, but just ease up... just a bit.
"Me? Obsess? Never!"
Really? Well, see if you can relate to any of the following:
- You check and recheck the calendar to see what day your period will be late, and then count how many days it is until then, perhaps more than once in the same day.
- You chart your body basal temperature, but instead of just walking away, you look over the dots on the graph multiple times a day, trying to read the pattern like a psychic reads tea leaves.
- You feel your boobies when no one is looking... you know, to see if they're sore (and therefore, maybe you're pregnant.)
- You look up online things like "early pregnancy signs" or "clomid success" or "ivf success", many, many, many times, just in case a different article will have the answer you're looking for.
- You take not one, not two, but multiple pregnancy tests, sometimes days before your period would be late. In fact, you've got a small stockpile of tests in your bathroom cabinet right now.
- You stay up way too late reading fertility forums and fertility blogs. You're certain you spend a couple hours or more a day doing this.
Any of that ring a bell?
One way to conquer trying to conceive obsessions is to schedule them. Yes, actually write in your planner or date book, "Fertility Focus Time." Then, stick to it. If you feel tempted to check that calendar again, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you'll get to check again tomorrow, and probably the calendar hasn't changed since yesterday.
What about you? Are you guilty of any TTC obsessions? Confession is good for the soul, they say. Please share yours in the comments!
More on coping with infertility:
Photo (c) Paul Bradbury / Getty Images
Sunday January 22, 2012
There are two "big days" each cycle for the fertility challenged or those trying to conceive: Ovulation day and the day your period is late. Ovulation day seems to be the key to conception - having sex within three days of ovulation day boosts your chances for pregnancy success. And the day your period is late, well, we all know what makes that day special - it's the day you can take a pregnancy test!
When I was in the midst of trying to conceive, I was a bit obsessed with determining ovulation day. Ok, ok... I was a little more than "a bit" obsessed. For me, determining ovulation day wasn't only about timing baby making sex, but also a "success" in itself, since I didn't always ovulate on time or at all each cycle.
But looking back, and in a calmer state of mind, I'm really questioning all the focus on ovulation day.
Now, don't misunderstand - it's true that sex close to ovulation is important. But do you really need to know the exact day it occurs? If you have sex three times a week, you should hit one of your fertile days, no?
On the other hand, I think of treatment cycles. Do you really want to put all your bets on just one fertile day? No way! I'd want to play each possible day. You could have sex every single day of the month, but that tends to be a bit much for many couples.
Have you found yourself focused on ovulation day? Do you think the focus is a good one, a bad one, or not such a black and white issue? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!
Photo (c) iStockPhoto
Wednesday January 18, 2012
If you hope to get pregnant fast, you've got lots of company. For a variety of reasons, from simple impatience to excitement to hoped-for-birthdays, some couples are eager to conceive right now.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Be realistic. Remember that while it's possible to get pregnant the first month you try, it's not highly likely. If you time things right and do whatever you can to optimize conception (and there are no fertility issues in your way), you should be able to get pregnant in three to six months.
Know your TTC basics! If you know about ovulation and timing sex, and you know how to increase the likelihood of conception, you increase your odds of getting pregnant fast. So study, study, study. Then have lots of baby making sex!
However, if it takes longer than six months (if you're over 35) or more than a year, then speak to your doctor. Or, if you have any symptoms of infertility, speak to your doctor before you spend too much time trying. You may be dealing with infertility, and the sooner you get help, the better your chances for treatment success.
More on getting pregnant for beginners:
Photo (c) Don Farrall / Getty Images
