Any pointers on trying to get pregnant?

Question

I had a miscarriage 13 months ago. I was told both my husband and myself were healthy and could conceive. No luck yet!!

Answer 1

So sorry for your loss
How to get Pregnant Faster – Top Ten Tips

1. Have sex three times a week.

Having regular sex is the best way to get pregnant. Couples often try to time everything perfectly for ovulation but do not have sex when they think they are not ovulating. It is true that sex that is not within the time of ovulation will not result in pregnancy. However, because women do not always ovulate when they think they will, having sex three times a week will help to a woman cover her bases, so to speak, and not miss an opportunity to get pregnant.
2. Use an ovulation prediction kit or fertility monitor.

Using an ovulation kit to predict when you are ovulating will improve your chances of getting pregnant. For many women charting or other methods of ovulation prediction are too confusing. Ovulation prediction kits work by reading LH surges prior to ovulation. They are relatively easy to use and are generally accurate for predicting ovulation. Fertility monitors, such as the Clear Blue Easy monitor, are also a worthwhile investment if you would like to get pregnant faster. Fertility monitors are similar to ovulation prediction kits in that they read changes in LH but they also read changes in other hormones and don’t require any guesswork for couples. They are easy to use and will tell you when the best time to get pregnant is.

3. Have sex before ovulation (not after).

Sometimes couples get confused about the best time to have sex in relationship to ovulation. You have a small window of time each month to get pregnant. After a woman ovulates the egg will survive approximately 24 hours. Sperm, on the other hand, will live for up to three to five days. This is why having sex two to three days before ovulation will increase your chances of getting pregnant. Don’t wait until the day you ovulate to have sex. Your partner’s sperm will last longer than your egg and you don’t want to miss an opportunity by waiting.

4. Don’t rely on the Calendar method for predicting ovulation.

A lot of couples have heard to have sex around day fourteen of your cycle. This is based on the calendar method and assumes that you have a regular 28-day cycle and ovulate mid-cycle. Although this is better than just picking an arbitrary day to have sex, it is not a very accurate way to predict when you ovulate. Many women do not ovulate on day fourteen and knowing precisely when you ovulate will help you time intercourse better. Ovulation prediction kits, looking at previous months bbt charts, or watching for body cues will help you to determine when you ovulate.

5. Charting may not be the best way to predict ovulation.

Charting is great for tracking your cycle but it does have disadvantages. By the time you can see ovulation on a bbt chart, you have already ovulated. It is good to chart so you can track your cycles, see if you ovulate the same time each month, and also so you can look back on your cycle and see if you timed things right. But if this is your first cycle trying to get pregnant or if you are not ovulating at the same time each month, an ovulation prediction kit would be more helpful.

6. See a doctor before you start trying to get pregnant.
Make sure you are in good health and have had a regular check up from your OBGYN or medical provider. Untreated infections, sexually transmitted diseases, or poor health can affect your chances of getting pregnant. Its good to see a doctor as well as start taking prenatal vitamins prior to trying to conceive.

7. Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or abuse drugs when trying to get pregnant.
This may seem like common sense but many women do try to get pregnant while smoking, drinking or using drugs. Smoking, drugs, and alcohol can affect your fertility. It will also affect your unborn child. It is important to stop smoking or using drugs and alcohol before getting pregnant and not wait until you find out you are pregnant.

8. Have enjoyable sex.

Sometimes when couples are trying to conceive, sex becomes a job or function of reproduction and is not as enjoyable. Plan a romantic evening or try something different to spice things up. How you are feeling sexually may factor into your chances of getting pregnant. Some researchers believe that having an orgasm during sex increases your chances of getting pregnant. For women, the spasmic movements of orgasm will help pull the sperm into the uterus and for men a better orgasm may increase the man’s sperm count.

9. Have sex in positions that keep sperm inside the vagina longer.

The missionary position is a good position to use when trying to get pregnant. Avoid positions where the woman is on top. Gravity will allow sperm to leak out with these positions. Also try placing a pillow under your hips to help tilt your pelvis and keep the sperm in longer. Don’t get up right after sex. Try to relax and allow the sperm to stay in the vagina as long as possible.

10. There is no such thing as trying too hard to get pregnant.
Most couples get pregnant within a year of trying. If you have not gotten pregnant within a year consult your doctor for advice.
http://www.justmommies.com

Answer 2

Sometimes it's all mind over matter. If you are trying too hard it may not happen. Go on a dirty weekend with your husband, get a little tippsy and forget all about babies. The more you make it about fun, the more relaxed you will be about it and the more likely it will happen. If you can manage to do that and down the track are still not pregnant, then i'd get retested. Stress and worry are not helping.

Answer 3

My mom always told me that if you stop trying and just enjoy your self things will take care of themselves meaning stop fretting about not getting pregnant and just relax stress doesn't help at all ! also try buying a kit to let you know when you are the most fertile you can usually buy them over the counter

Answer 4

Relax and keep trying. Maybe u are working to hard.
It will happen in God's time. Just keep loving one another and forget about it. Before u know it honey quess what? I am with child! God bless u and yours.

Answer 5

Stop focusing on getting pregnant and just relax and enjoy.

Answer 6

TTC - Hints & Tips

Hi, these are just some ideas/collective wisdom/things to help you feel more in control.

When to Baby Dance (BD): Just before and the day of when you Ovulate (O)
If you are unsure of when you ovulate or want to play it safe bd every day or every second day from 6 days before you think you O to 6 days after. Every day or every second day? Depends; some books say every day unless you know your DH has a low sperm count. Some others say every 2nd day to give the sperm the chance to build up. Night or morning? Depends; some say morning is better for sperm build up. But make sure you can stay laying down for at least 1/2 an hour after.

Hints and Tips for BD'ing: Missionary or Doggie is best; look for a position that delivers the sperm as close to you cervix as possible. Standing up isn't great. Try not to stand up for at least 1/2 an hour after BD'ing (some say the longer you can lie down the better). Stick a pillow under your bum to raise it up a bit after BD'ing (not so romantic). Stick your legs in the air after BD'ing (less romantic again). Do "bicycle legs" after BD'ing (at least this brings humour to your relationship)

NO lubricant - it can kill the sperm (this means saliva too!) (apparently there is a new sperm friendly lube on sale in the US. http://www.drugstore.com/templates/brand/default.asp?brand=26952&aid=335921&aparam=pre_seed

How do I know when I O? You ovulate 14 - 15 days before the end of your cycle (eg if your cycle is 30 days, you probably O day 16, if it's 35 days, you probably O day 21). So if your cycle is really regular you can work it out by counting (not seen as terribly reliable though).

You can take your temperature each day and chart it to see when you O (see http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ for details).

You can observe and chart your cervical mucus to see when you O (see http://www.billingsmethod.com/)

You can observe your cervix position (most people find this one a bit hard)

Use Ovulation Prediction Kits (OPK's) available from the supermarket ($20 for 5 - you use 5 each month).

Use "Maybe Baby" which looks at your saliva for "ferning" patterns that indicate ovulation (approx $80 but you only need to buy it once) (some people find this hard to use).

Whats with the EWCM?

Egg White Cervix Mucus, is the slippery, stretchy mucus some women see in the days leading up to O. Not only is this a good inidacatin of when you will O, but it is really important in fertility as it is the mucus that sperm is most at home in and can swim better in. This isn't to say that you can't fall pg without it, but it is seen as beneficial. A lot of TTC "wives tales" & "remedies" centre around increasing the amount &quality of your EWCM some of them are:

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is said to increase volume & quality of EWCM. Suggested use, take 3000mcg daily (follow the instructions for when) from Cycle Day (CD) 1 until you O. Not suggested after O as there is a slight possibility it may cause uterine contractions, which you don't want when bubs is trying to implant. Note some people experience O earlier when using EPO - so watch your body.

Drinking HEAPS of water (your body needs something to make the mucus out of). Even if this doesn't increase EWCM it will probably make you more "moist" which is useful when you can't use lubes.

Drink a glass of Grapefruit juice a day (it doesn't taste as yuck as it sounds.)

Take the cough medicine Robitussin for a few days before O. It must be the one with only "guaifenesin" as the active ingredient. (Labelled EX, or Expectorant). It works by thinning your EWCM making it easier for the sperm to swim (see www.fertilityplus.org/faq/cm.html).Drink heaps of water as you take it.

You can use raw egg whites as a lube and to simulate EWCM if you don't have any. The advice is to bring it to room temperature before you use it.LI>

Any other "remedies"?

Pregnancy drops (see http://www.newtonspharmacy.com.au/ for contact details). Available through mail order. A lot of ladies on this board take them, used from CD1 to O. Ingredients are Cimiciguga, Sarsaparilla, Dong Quai, Ginko Bilboa, Helonias (false unicorn root). All supposed to be beneficial for fertility

False Unicorn Root tablets, supposed to be beneficial for fertility (difficult to find)

Accupuntcure

Vitex - Good for regulating your cycles

Answer 7

follow what first person told you and plus you both take vitamin E. spartan