Conference moira::parenting

    
    Try a book called "How to get Pregnant" by Dr. Silber...Should be able
    to find it at any major bookstore (US).  Its very informative, and
    should give you the information you are looking for.
    
    I had another book I liked even more, (its on loan), I think it was 
    called "Fertility and You" or "Your Fertility"....It was easy reading, 
    in also very down to earth.  (soft cover,tan w/flowers ?)....
    
    Good Luck,
    Chris
    

    
    I went out and bought a book called Pregnancy and child birth. I don't
    have the authors name on hand. But it's got a picture on the cover of a 
    mom, dad and newborn baby. I foundit to be like a bible for me when I
    was trying to conceive and when I got pregnant. Every question you need
    to have an answer to is in htis book. I also found it alot easier to
    read all this in a book instead of asking mega questions to my friends.
    And the books are really informative.
    
    Sandy

    
    I forget which volume of Parenting had it, but there was a note on this
    subject. I remember thinking "the more you try the better your chances
    are". I was wrong. Someone in that flow of notes explained a pattern to
    follow that worked for me the first month I tried it for both my first
    pregnancy (a miscarriage) and for my 1 year old daughter Anna. It
    basically went like this:
    
    		If your cycle is regular your ovulate around the 14th day
    	of the cycle, start counting from the first day of your period.
    	It takes the males sperm 36 hours to rejuvenate to "full strength"
    	so make love every other day starting somewhere around day 9 or 10
    	of your cycle and continuing on to day 17 or 18 at least.
    
    		I followed this pattern from about day 8 to day 20 and as I
    	said got pregnant on the first try, twice. Now this may not work
    	for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try.
    
    Good Luck. Pregnancy and childbirth are truely wonderful experiences.
    
    Patty

    
    .3 is exactly what we did and conceived on the third try. That method
    was told to us by a doctor.
    
    One other point was made to us and I'll pass it along for what it's
    worth. We were told to "prime the pump" if you will, meaning that 
    before you start trying to conceive each cycle make sure the sperm
    hasn't been waiting around since the last try or for any length of
    time. Simply put, use fresh sperm.

re .3:

Actually, ovulation usually occurs abotu 14 days *before* menstruation, so
you should estimate when your next period is due.

re .4:

I think your information on "old sperm" is incorrect.  For semen analysis,
there's no upper limit, but they do prefer at least 48 hours since last
ejaculation.  The general advice, sex every second day, is correct.

One more piece of general advice: no hot baths (hot tubs, jacuzzis, etc)
for the man, and none for the woman from ovulation until menstruation.

We also did what was described in .3 - except we decided to try every day.

Elise was a first try baby, and the one I'm carrying is a second try.  It
works.  Also worked for my sister-in-law.

Other little tid-bits that help:  the man should avoid hot showers, hot tubs,
and jockey shorts for a month before (and for the duration), as these will all 
slow sperm production and/or kill some sperm from the heat.

Also, the woman should relax in a prone position for a while (15-20 minutes).  
Gravity will then help the sperm on their travels.

One more thing that *I* think helps, but this is only an opinion:  Once you've 
figured out *when* to have sex, forget about babies and enjoy yourself.  Your 
brain can't make the baby, so get out of the way and let your body take over.

>re .3:

>Actually, ovulation usually occurs abotu 14 days *before* menstruation, so
>you should estimate when your next period is due.

 Isn't it typically a 28 day cycle, given that, 14 days before is 14 days
 after the last.

>re .4:

>I think your information on "old sperm" is incorrect.  For semen analysis,
>there's no upper limit, but they do prefer at least 48 hours since last
>ejaculation.  The general advice, sex every second day, is correct.

 I won't argue that my information may be incorrect, however, semen for
 analysis is not the same as semen for procreation. Why do you suppose they
 would like fresh (i.e. within 2 days) semen.

 Given what you have said, I think I would opt for using the fresh stuff.

 again fwiw
 

    
    I too agree with the ideas of 1) every other day starting around day
    9-10, 2) woman should crunch up to the fetal position, or the like and
    not get right out of bed immediatly after, 3) boxer shorts
    
    It took us 6 months, but it worked. The book I mentioned earlier,
    "Fertility and You" or "Your fertility" was really concentrated about
    the "mucas" factor...  and I have to admit, that once you know what to
    look for, you really can figure it out. I really noticed this the month
    I got pregnant.
    
    Good Luck
    Chris
    

.5> Actually, ovulation usually occurs abotu 14 days *before* menstruation, so
  > you should estimate when your next period is due.

.7> Isn't it typically a 28 day cycle, given that, 14 days before is 14 days
  > after the last.
    
    It is, typically, a 28 day cycle, and in that case it wouldn't matter
    whether you counted ahead 14 days or back 14 days from the next
    expected period.  But it does make a difference if the woman's cycle is
    typically 26 days; in that case, counting forward 14 days would miss
    ovulation by 2 days.  (It's the ovulation that "causes" the period 14
    days later, not the other way around.)  So if that (26-day) woman were
    determined to count forward instead of back, she should count *12* days
    forward.
    
    Leslie

The *average* may be 28 days, but some women have longer or shorter regular
periods.

The body produces sperm continuously.  There's a tradeoff between number
of sperm available and the amount of time they survive in the woman's body.
That's the reason for the every-other-day advice.  More time between
ejaculations would produce more sperm per ejaculation, but every-other-day
gives more shots per cycle.

    
    Try the ovulation predictor kits - it worked perfectly
    for me and my girlfriend just did it and was successful
    2nd try.
    
    Re. Ovulation cycle; I have a 28 day cycle which all the 
    charts say day 14 but with the kits I found I was day 9/10.
    I would have been trying the wrong time.
    
    The cycles are not connected either because you can have
    a 28 day cycle but each month you could ovulate a
    different time and this is what makes it harder for some.
    
    If you use a kit try two and start a little earlier than
    they say. My girlfriend had no results with her first kit
    and then tried a few days earlier with the 2nd and found
    she was earlier than the "typical chart" for her cycle.
    
    Good luck
                                                             

    Some women, including yours truly, have PMS which affects their cycle. 
    Now before you say, whooa girl, PMS is just a polite euphemism for some
    terms I can't publicly write, you should know that it is a documented
    syndrome with several typical symptoms.  
    
    One characteristic of PMS is that the woman ovulates earlier than the
    average, say about 7-10 days after onset of menstruation.  You can
    confirm this by taking your temperature every morning before rising,
    and keeping a record.  At ovulation, your temperature will drop.
    
    The planning details previously described still apply, but earlier.
    
    L

    
    I have to agree with the last couple...I also found that I ovulated
    around day 9-10 of my cycle...  Whether it has anything to do with
    having PMS, which I do, I don't know.
    
    Chris
    

>  At ovulation, your temperature will drop.

Are you sure?  I was under the impression that your temperature spiked just
after ovulation.  Many women have mentioned that their temp. "dips" (0.1 to 0.3)
degrees the day before their temperature spike.  Is that what you meant?

BTW, although my doctor commented on how "beautiful" my temp charts were
(indicating that I did indeed ovulate), I showed neither the dip nor the spike
-- just a gradual climb.

The PMS connection has me interested.  PMS can get worse as a woman ages.  I 
have observed this in me.

So, would that mean that a woman ovulates earlier as she ages, which would then
mean that her cycle would shorten?  My cycle has shortened as I age - not
drastically, it changed from 29 days to 26 days in the last 10 years, and that 
moves the likely date of ovulation from about 14.5 days to 13 days.

Earlier replies indicate that women who have PMS ovulate even earlier than
that.  Am I describing a different phenomina?

And BTW, I am in total agreement that PMS exists, is medically describable, and
treatment to reduce symptoms exists and can work.

Pat

    My cycle is indeed shortening.  I assume my ovulation is sooner too.
    
    If I try to get pregnant again, I will again use the basal body
    temperature method (before rising in the am) and keep a chart.  It's a
    fairly reliable indicator.  I would not rely on it for faultless
    prevention of conception, but it is a help in getting pregnant.
    
    L
    (I have PMS - contrary to popular notions I don't suffer more than the
    average woman, as far as I can tell.  But there are some subtle
    differences.)

    Every month at the same time my pelvis is tender(sore) and my doctor
    says its ovulaton, but I am still having a problem getting pregnant
    is there any other women who experience this?

    
    You sound all set with the counting. The way you've stated it you would
    start trying on day 7 of your cycle. You could even hold off and start
    on Monday or Tuesday (day 8 or 9). On the subject of your husband's
    pants, I don't know what to say. My husband wears cotton briefs and we
    had no problems, but then again he wears mostly Dockers for pant which
    tend not to be tight fitting.
    
    Patty

    The discussion of men's shorts reminded me of how I used to make Bob
    jump in our pool before going to bed at night regardless of the weather
    or the water temperature!  Somewhere I read that hot baths (his former 
    nighttime routine) kill sperm!  We were desparate so we tried a lot of 
    those antidotes!  
    
    One of them worked;^)
    
    beth

re .20:

Since it takes 2-3 months for sperm to develop, jumping in the pool wouldn't
help.  Keeping the testicles cool over the long term means no hot baths or
heated car seats, and boxer shorts instead of briefs.  Believe it or not,
I've heard of some kind of mechanical scrotum-cooling device, but I can't
imagine what it's like.

    re: .21
    
    I saw it on one of those daytime talk shows a while back.  It's a
    water-cooled device that sorta looks like an athletic support.  It
    was designed by a patient who had infertility problems due to his
    scrotum being too hot.  He's an engineer, of course.  

    One thing that does make men more viral and is good for
    women to take is 50 mg of Zinc.
    
    Aids in keeping the uterus attached and increases sperm
    count in men....My husband and I take it.  
    
    When we decided to get pregnant, we figured it would take 3-6 months.
    I had been taking my temperature for 3 months so I knew about
    when I ovulated.  We tried one time 2 days before I was supposed
    to ovulate and never tried again (my hubby went out of town
    right after that).  My baby was born 9 months later.  We wanted
    a boy so bad and when people said you just about have to be
    ovulating right at *that* time, we figured it was a girl...Nope!
    
    This is no claim that Zinc was the reason I conceived so quickly....
    but it didn't hurt.  I know fertility books recommend Zinc as well.
    
    So hang in there.  I really felt better knowing when I ovulated
    but I never expected it to happen so quickly!
    
    Kristen

>    One thing that does make men more viral and is good for
>    women to take is 50 mg of Zinc.

I don't think men want to be viral.  If you're talking about virility,
any connection to zinc is purely in the minds of vitamin manufacturers.

There have been some studies of zinc's effects on sperm quality.  In one
study of men who had low levels of zinc in their semen, a zinc supplement
improved sperm quality.  Other studies found no effect, or even a negative
effect.  The doctor whose study indicated a positive correlation has not
had much success in applying zinc therapy to men with sperm quality problems.

Of course, the doses of zinc in over-the-counter supplements can't do much
harm, so it's probably OK to take them.

> .17  Tenderness in the pelvic region during ovulation

This is true, but not all women experience it.  The explanation given to me by
my Dr.was that there is a little bit of bleeding when the egg leaves the ovary
wall.  This blood, which is now loose in your pelvic region, is an irritant.
You may notice that the pain becomes more pronounced when urinating. In this
case, the blood has probably seeped around the bladder (good ole gravity).
(This pain is not to be confused with a bladder infection, which is much 
different!). 

When you have something that obvious as a signal, the decision is yours....  

    After my first pregnancy I too experienced pain in the middle of my
    cycle. I suspected that I was ovulating, and the doctor confirmed it.
    This of course was wonderful. I wanted to get pregnant as soon as
    possible after we lost Daniel, so having nature help was great. 
    After the six months of recovery (recommended by doctor) was up,
    the first time I felt the pain (this time on the 12 day, not the 
    14th) I called hubby from work and said 
    "Dear, the bomb bay doors are open!" 
    Suffice to say 9 months later we have our Charlotte.
    I also felt a lot of pain after BOTH conceptions (my husband always
    says that the ovaries are shutting down and going on vacation).for 
    about a day or two.
    
    Monica
    

    I am trying to get pregnant.  I have not tried the temperture method
    yet because this is our first month trying.   I seem to get some
    tenderess around day 12 til day 14.  Well on day 12 the bomb bay doors
    opened (as Monica put it).  It is day 14 and I still have the same
    pain.  Last nite it hurt pretty bad to where I couldn't get comfortable
    enough to sleep.  So I ended up sleeping on my stomach (which I never
    do because I have a bad back).   So could I be pregnant or should we
    keep trying?
    
    Tricia :)

    I get cramps during the ovulation period versus the menstrual period.
    
    -sandy
    

    At the point I ovulated for AJ I really was considering that I had
    appendicitis.  I could barely stand upright, and we were walking some
    land with the potential to buy and build.  I finally had to go back and
    wait in the car.  That's why I'm so sure of when I conceived AJ.
    
    I had been hospitalized a couple years before to rule out appendictis,
    it turned out to be a real painful ovulation.  That's how bad the pain
    really can be!
    
    Lyn

    
    I would say to keep trying...it couldn't hurt. If by chance the 
    discomfort you were feeling on day 12 was the egg starting to break
    through the ovary, then the major pain you described from last night
    could be the egg DID actually break through...which would mean it is
    there READY AND WAITING right now. And if it is, and the sperm from the
    other day are dead (I forget how long they live), then fresh sperm
    today would only enhance the possibilities.
    
    My husband and I "tried" every other day during the middle of my cycle.
    
    Good Luck!  But don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen the first
    month. It took us 6 months. Its different for everyone.
    
    Chris
     

>>    do because I have a bad back).   So could I be pregnant or should we
>>    keep trying?
>>    
>>    Tricia :)


Trying is half the fun ;-)

ccb

    
    Yea...my husband says he will remember those months of "trying"
    with fond memories!
    
    	;-)
    
    Chris
    
    

Contrary to what the last couple of replies have implied, trying to get
pregnant does not improve your sex life.  Having sex on a schedule detracts
from the pleasure, and in some cases "performance anxiety" causes impotence.

    
    Re: last
    
    I think each couples sex-life is different, and you are wrong to make
    such a general statement.
    
    

re .34:

Suppose neither partner feels like sex, but the calendar requires it.
Suppose both *do* feel like it, but they've been told to wait two days
since the last time?  I'm not claiming that fertility problems always have 
a negative effect on a couple's sex life, but it's certainly very common.

re .35:

You're treading on delicate territory.  People with fertility problems
get very upset when you say it's just due to stress.  It's really the
other way around -- fertility problems cause stress.

>    I'm talking about the people I know that gave up then got
>    pregnant.  I think their problems were due to stress.  

As the previous reply suggested, you might want to be a little
careful here.  This is probably true for alot of areas where
you think you know best but someone else's 'problems' are.

We tried for many years to get pregnant.  We did just about every
medical procedure around.  Sure....there was a lot of stress in
our lives.  But I dont think it was causing us not to get pregnant.

We adopted, continued working on fertility, and adopted again.
and we were lucky enough to be able to adopt another little girl
a year later.  Turned out at the time of our 3rd adoption, my
wife was about a couple weeks pregnant, which we didn't realize for
another month.  Quite a shock!

I think that our bodies change over time and slight misalignments
can keep you from becoming pregnant.  With age and change, you may
pass through periods when everything lines up.  and BINGO....surprise!

This is sensitive stuff.....tread with care.
bob

    I wholeheartedly agree that things change with time.  I have a friend
    who decided to adopt after 5 miscarriages.  They took "possession" of
    their beautiful little boy early one December - he was 5 days old.  Less
    than a month later she discovered she was pregnant.  She was very
    concerned about the pregnancy, but she now has two beautiful little
    boys to show off - less than a year apart (but she never complained
    about the stresses of two little ones - not even once!)
    
    -sandy
    
    

    
    Well, I deleted those two notes even though I see nothing wrong with
    them.
    
    Bye Bye everyone, it's been fun.
    Chris D.

Let's not get into a rash of adopted-then-got-pregnant stories.  It happens,
but most people who adopt because of infertility don't get pregnant.

>Let's not get into a rash of adopted-then-got-pregnant stories.  It happens,
>but most people who adopt because of infertility don't get pregnant.

Resolve's statistics say it occurs about 5% of the time....about 5% of
those who adopt due to infertility later concieve.

but urban legands abound....everyone knows someone who has a friend who
knows someone who this happened to!
bob

You're absolutely right. That's because they only count the cases that are 
proven to have problems. 

RE: Urban legends. I've got 2 that I know to be true. My father and his first
wife were told they could not have children. I was adopted. A year later my
brother was born.  My wife and I were told in 1978 that we couldn't have kids.
We decided we'ld be good yuppies and buy a house and forget about having kids.
My wive was told she was pregnant the day we passed papers. Now I have 3 kids. 


A friend in similar circumstances told me what the fertility specialist advised
them to do. 

	"First take a long vacation, if that doesn't work make a major
	acquisition (IE House), if that fails adopt. If you get pregnant
	wonderful, if not you've had a good time and you still have a
	child to love."

    Okay so when do you actually start counting - from the first day of
    your period or the last day of you period?   I've been counting 12 days
    from the end of my period.   That is also when I get my cramping.
    
    Thanks for the info.
    Tricia 

From the first day.

    Well, for me it's 16 days.  I have typically a 34 day cycle and can
    easily tell when I ovulate. (Unless I am guessing wrong here.) I have a
    very noticeable discharge and cramping 16-17 days after the first day. 
    I have been charting this for over a year and for about one month out
    of the year I will have a 40+ day cycle.  Almost like I have to get
    back on track with the lunar phases or something 8^)
    
    So - how to I know when it's time to try for that girl? 8^)  
    
    -sandy
    

    
    Off the top of my head (from my previous reading) I would say to try
    about day 14. That should give the sperm enough time to get up to
    the ovary to wait, and where the female sperm are stronger than the
    males, they will be there ready & waiting for the egg to pop out on day 16.
    
    This could be off, I was doing my main reading at the time on
    concieving a boy, but I think its close. 
    
    Chris
    

    
The following is an anonymous reply from the basenoter.
Let me be the first to say "CONGRATULATIONS!"

Carol Stolicny, PARENTING co-mod
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is just a quick note to say THANKS A LOT for your help.
I tried the method recommended in .3  and it worked the first month
we tried !! Now if everything goes OK, I should give birth in March.
The information was really helpful, I think this basic information
should be discussed in more Women's magazines and books.

    It worked on the first try??   Wow!!   I am trying too - so we will see
    if it works for me this month!
    
    Tricia :)

    
    
    	Suggestions for Ovulation kits.
    
    	I am intested in finding out what is best test kit for
    	finding out if you are ovulating or not..
    
    	Suggestions?	

Do you mean "ovulating or not" or "when you're ovulating?"  If you have reason
to believe you're not ovulating, I don't think any home test will tell you.

    
    
    	I thought there were some test kits out there that would
    	tell you the best time to get pregnant.. 
    
    	I thought they measured a hormone that told you that you
    	were ovulating.
    
    	

    
    Yes there are, I think that someone was picking up on a nit.
    
    	I have personally never used one of the kits (got pregnant before I
    could and ended up giving it away) but I'll be there are lots of people
    in this notes file who could tell you their experiences.
    
    	I've always thought about using one of those kits to figure out
    exactly when I do ovulate (just kind of for my information). Many women
    say that they can feel something when they ovulate or that they feel
    different, I've never really noticed anything, but then if I knew that
    that was the time, perhaps I would look harder for symptoms.
    
    			   Wendy

    Any of the ovulation kits work fine. They are expensive; the basic
    kit is about $15-20+ for five days and you'll probably need it for 
    longer than that. There are some "filler" kits that have additional
    days, I guess 3-5 more. They are usually $10-15 and are the SAME kit
    as the regular one. So you could just buy the filler kit...check the
    prices and see if they are already figured out this and upped the
    cost. 
    
    If you are using the kit for the first time, start the testing around
    day 10-11 (10 days after your period BEGINS), unless you have a strong 
    idea of when you ovulate. Keep testing each day until you see by 
    the results that you have ovulated, OR until your period starts. 
    
    This will be the expensive month! If, when you begin testing, your 
    results show that you have already ovulated, stop testing. As soon 
    as you ovulate, you don't need to use the test. 
    
    Some people ovulate as late as day 18-20, some as early as day 9. To 
    get a good idea of the time you ovulate, use the test for two or three
    months. If you ovulate around the same time, then that is your
    ovulation time and you can plan on that time. If you don't get any
    success from the test, you should A. try testing earlier in your cycle,
    B. see your doctor. 
    
    Good luck!
    
    Cyn

Just curious.  A basal-body-temperature thermometer is a small one-time 
expense, and, for most people, will probably give just as good results.
If not, add in the cervical mucus methods from Natural Family Planning.

High tech is wonderful, and convenient, I suppose; but I would think
that for the great majority of couples, it is also a significant and
totally unnecessary expense.

	-Neil

Re .55

Actually, there are many cases where a basal body temperature will not tell a
woman when she is ovulating, as there are many women who do not have the
text-book drop_then_rise associated with ovulating.  And some women have it
over several days, so it's not really noticeable til your finished ovulating,
and then it's too late to get pregnant.  And adding in the cervical mucus may
or may not help, depending on the woman.  It is not uncommon for the mucus
to not change, or for the change to be slight.  I agree that if a woman has
the text-book bodily changes during ovulation, then the BBT is sufficient,
and there may be no need for the ovulation kits.  But there are many instances
where they are warranted. In fact, I had used the BBT for several years while
trying to get pregnant, and my doctor still insisted I use the ovulation 
predictor to schedule appointments for artificial inseminations.  

I think some women may also feel more comfortable using the kits rather than
the BBT as the BBT may take a few months to get used to, and it may seem
a faster way to get pregnant if the kits were used from the start of trying
to conceive.

    	And using the BBT method assumes that your body's temperature is
    not being elevated by an unrelated infection (somewhere in your body),
    that you haven't gotten up during the night (which raises your
    temperature) or that you haven't taken any kid of medication, like
    Tylenol or Aspirin (which would decrease the normal body temperature).

    	Sure it's cheaper to take you temp. and watch your mucus (which may
    also be affected by the amount of water you drink) but if one is really
    concerned about *getting* pregnant and pinpointing the time of
    ovulation, sometimes, you just can't beat high tech.


    				Wendy

    Having spent many $ on a number of different plans recommended by
    different doctors, here is what I find.
    
    First time I used this expensive ($49) test but it was 7 days and
    worked fine (that is I got pregnant right away.  The color changes were
    gradual so you could see some blue before it got dark blue showing you
    were getting ready to ovulate.
    
    Then I tried the store bought ones.  Each required mixing and waiting. 
    My present doctor recommends Clear Plan Easy as it requires only one
    step, to urinate on the stick for 5 seconds.  To keep the urine from
    getting in the results area I just put my thumb over it before
    urinating.  This seems to be an easy method and also has some change in
    color before actually turning dark blue.  It also has a test area that
    should turn blue and show you you have done the test right.  If the
    result area is darker blue, you are getting ready to ovulate.  So far
    no results but we'll see.  
    
    I find this easier for me versus temperatures etc as I am very
    irregular.  I have found I ovulate anywhere from day 17 to day 25.  I
    also have irregular periods.  But I have noticed that by using these
    kits, I now know that I do get a pain in my lower left side one month
    and a lighter pain in my right side the next.  I also can tell how
    different my mucos gets so I find I do not have to use as many kits, I
    just wait for the mucos to get thicker before testing and the past two
    months, that has been about 3 or 4 days before the surge.
    
    Average cost out here in Calif for these tests is about $25 - $29.  If
    you have a discount drug store you can save about $3.
    
    Michelle
    

    
    Basal body thermometers are not cheap ($8-10) and are not necessarily a
    one-time expense.  I took my temperature for over a year and broke
    several thermometers while trying to shake them down while still half
    asleep.  This was a very discouraging method for me, and it appeared
    that I was ovulating at about day 13 or 14.
    
    After lots of fertility testing and just before we attempted the 
    GIFT program, the docter suggested we try the Ovustick kit.  This kit
    had to be obtained from the pharmacist, but a prescription was not
    required.  It cost about $45 for a 10 day test kit, but it was worth
    it!  I used 5 days during the first month, but the timing was bad. 
    However, it showed me that I was ovulating around day 10 and not 14. 
    The second month, well Shannon turns 3 next week, so it was very
    successfull!
    
    I would recommend an ovulation kit to anyone who wants to conceive
    right away!
    
    

    i just got this month's "CHILD" magazine, in it they say chances of 
    conceiving are greatly increased if you try to conceive between 
    oct and march.  it also said to take a cough syrup containing
    guafenin (sp?) 4 days prior to conceiving to thin the cervical mucous
    and let the sperm get thru easier
    
    

re .60:

>    i just got this month's "CHILD" magazine, in it they say chances of 
>    conceiving are greatly increased if you try to conceive between 
>    oct and march.

Sounds fishy.  If it were significantly easier to conceive then, birthdays
wouldn't be evenly distributed.  Did they explain their claim?

>                   it also said to take a cough syrup containing
>    guafenin (sp?) 4 days prior to conceiving to thin the cervical mucous
>    and let the sperm get thru easier

I mentioned in the infertility note that a specialist mentioned that
Robitussin thins the cervical mucus.  I believe its active ingredient
is glyceral guaiacolate.

>    i just got this month's "CHILD" magazine, in it they say chances of 
>    conceiving are greatly increased if you try to conceive between 
>    oct and march.

>>Sounds fishy.  If it were significantly easier to conceive then, birthdays
>>wouldn't be evenly distributed.  Did they explain their claim?

  How do you know they are ? 

>>    i just got this month's "CHILD" magazine, in it they say chances of 
>>    conceiving are greatly increased if you try to conceive between 
>>    oct and march.
>
>>>Sounds fishy.  If it were significantly easier to conceive then, birthdays
>>>wouldn't be evenly distributed.  Did they explain their claim?
>
>  How do you know they are ? 


Maybe they are, perhaps the situation is reversed in the southern hemisphere :-)

ccb

    here's the article........CHILD - October 1992
    
    "cold weather conception"
    
    	If your'e trying to get pregnant during the upcoming winter months,
    the fertility gods may be with you.  Check out these fascinating facts
    about seasonal sex from New York City-based fertility expert Niels H.
    Lauersen, M.D., Ph.D., co-author of Getting Pregnant:What Couples Need
    to Know Right Now.
    
    	:Making love between October and March doubles your chance of
    getting pregnant;the climate changes during these months have a
    positive effect on the uterine environment and egg quality.
    
    	:Take cough medicine if you come down with a cold.  Look for one
    that contains the active ingredient guaifenesin, which thins the mucus
    not only in your lungs but in your cervix, making it better able to
    transport sperm.  Take one or two teaspoons a day, beginning four days
    prior to when you want to conceive.
    
    	:Don't try to conceive under an electric blanket; the low voltage
    may adversely affect your fertility.
    
    
                                                  

    
    Actually, it is very realted to the external climate.
    
    	Most conceptions take place when the outside temperature is lower
    (theories are that the male's sperms are not as affected as they are in
    warmer weather). The most difficult months to conceive in are the
    "high" summer months with special emphasis on July.
    
    	Somehow we beat the odds and ended up conceiving in July (must have
    been the air conidtioning). I'm looking forward to a less crowded
    maternity ward. (Spencer was conceived over the winter holidays and was
    born in Sept/Oct - the most common months for births).
    
    			Wendy

re .62:

I don't know what the distribution of birthdays is, but I expect that someone
out there does.  I didn't say that the information was wrong, just suspicious.
They seem to be claiming that twice as many births occur between July and
December than between January and June (assuming full-term pregnancies).
So, can anyone prove or disprove this?

Also, don't electric blankets operate at line voltages?  I've never seen
a transformer on an electric blanket.

Heat does affect sperm, but there's a three month period for sperm production,
and outdoor temperature probably isn't so important in our climate-controlled
society.  Sperm quality is more likely to be affected by hot tubs, heated
car seats, and tight underwear than by weather.

    re: .66
    
    No, birthdays are not evenly distributed in Europe and the US and
    Canada -- I've never seen data for the rest of the world.  And
    this data is several years old.  
    
    There's a spike in births in March and April, apparently
    reflecting the surge in weddings that takes place in June.  The
    rate drops off, then climbs steadily through the summer before it
    drops off in October or thereabouts.  I don't remember how big the
    differences were -- they were statistically significant, but I
    don't remember it being twice as many births.  The fall peak is
    higher than the March/April one. 
    
    This actually makes sense from the biological perspective -- it
    means gestation takes place primarily in the low-activity winter
    months,  and birth takes place in the summer when it's warmer and
    theoretically the baby's chances of surviving are better.  Many
    mammals follow a similar pattern.  (Not that it makes the theory,
    right, of course.)
    
    --bonnie

    
    Another thing to consider is that in the warmer months (And I'm talking
    the high months of summer) ah, certain activites are sometimes
    curtailed as it's "just too damn hot".
    
    Of course in the winter months the opposite occurs, "get over here and
    warm my feet".;-)
    
    
    				Wendy

    Just wanted to let you know that the temperature method worked the
    first time.  Could believe it!!  I am due April 24, 1993.
    
    Thanks for all the information.

    Dear Donna,
    
    We tried casually for 3 months.  I remember getting really upset after
    just one month.  I even got in a minor auto accident because I was so
    distracted.  I was terribly upset in synagogue on Rosh Hashanah when I
    saw all the pregnant woman and babies.  It didn't help that the Bible
    passage was about Sarah's fertility problems and conceiving Isaac.  I
    couldn't stop crying and had to leave the building.
    
    After another 3 months, this time using the temperature method, we got
    lucky.
    
    I can hardly imagine how upsetting it is to go for a whole year or
    more.
    
    My empathy is with you.
    
    Laura

    
    
    	Thanks for the understanding - It just seems so hard
    	for people to understand sometimes that you can't get 
    	pregnant - 
    
    	Then they turn around and say it can't be your husband 
    	all his brothers never had problems getting there wives 
    	pregnant.. 
    
    	Well that only leaves one person doesn't it...
    
    	I told my husband I just don't want to think about it
    	any more - When we get pregnant - or if we don't we have
    	each other and we both are willing to adopt..
    
    	I am always saying there is a reason for everything -  

>    	Then they turn around and say it can't be your husband 
>    	all his brothers never had problems getting there wives 
>    	pregnant.. 

Right.  And if your parents didn't have children, you probably won't either.

    I've been reading through this topic and thought that I'd tell you all
    that if you're trying for a baby without success - you should never
    give up hoping because miracles really do happen sometimes.
    
    My husband and I had been trying for a family since we were married, 14
    years and I am now 18 weeks pregnant!  We had one IVF attempt which
    didn't work earlier this year and had finally decided to almost give up
    on the idea of ever being parents.  Maybe that's what did it but our
    story should be inspiration to anyone who knows the stresses of trying
    for year after year without any luck.  The message is don't ever give
    up!
    
    Nicola
    

    
    
    	Frustrated,  I have a friend of mine who went to the
    doctors today because she is know 14 days late.  She usally
    has her period on the 6th of the month.  
    
    	They went to do a blood test - which they always have 
    trouble doing since they can't find her vains.  (She usally
    gets pricked up to 7 times in each visit).
    
        This time they couldn't find one.  So they had her
    do a urion test - it came out negative.  
    
        After she settled down - she called the ob gyn and she
    said that she was probably not pregnant.. even though she
    has all the symptoms. She said come back after a week and
    they will test again.  
    
    	The ob gyn also said that it was probably due to stress, that
    she missed her period, even though he whole life - in the worst 
    times she had never missed.
    
    	This whole thing made me so MAD!!!
                                 

    Does anyone have an address and/or phone number for RESOLVE? 
    ...infertility support group?
    
    thanks,
    cynthia

    See note 21.83 - there is a Massachusetts number for RESOLVE listed
    there.  If you are not in MA, they may have a number for an information
    office in your area.
    
    Good luck
    Cathryn

See 21.122.  RESOLVE's headquarters is in Somerville, MA.

    Thanks!!  I'll give them a call.

    
    I have a question regarding ovulation and conceiving. Here's the scoop:
    Wed. Nov 11th I did the ovulation predictor test. The color showed up
    bright pink as it is supposed to be when you are surging. Well, the
    instuctions say to have intercourse on that day because it is most
    likely your fertile day. But about 9 hrs before taking the test we had
    intercourse so, would there be a good chance of still conceiving just 1
    day prior to ovulation? The books all say that, if you have sex 1 to 2
    days prior to ovulation there is most likely enough sperm still 
    in the fallopian tubes at the time of ovulation for fertilization to
    occur. 
    
    Now, if sperm can live up 72 hrs, (is this true?) and ovulation is
    roughly 6 to 48 hrs then my chances would seem good, yes? I am due for
    my period Nov. 25th, I have felt light cramping on and off for the last
    3 days around lower abdomen. No other signs yet. We are trying for
    number 2 and when I got pregnant last time I never really tried it just
    happened. Can anyone give me any info on the above? 
    
    Oh I forgot, does implantaion occur between days 7 and 10 after
    ovulation?
    
    Thanks, Sandy

The following is posted at the request of a member of the PARENTING notesfile
community who prefers to remain anonymous at this time.

Carol Stolicny, PARENTING co-mod

--------------------------------
Does anyone have a concise time-oriented view of the whole fertilization
process, from ovulation through implantation?  I'm interested in something
structured like the following, but can't find a book with all the pieces of
the puzzle, so thought perhaps this audience could fill in the blanks (x's).

[Assuming you know when ovulation occurs - granted, a HUGE assumption...]

    	x Days before ovulation:  Intercourse (/"fresh" sperm) 

  	Day of **Ovulation**:	  Intercourse

	x Days after ovulation:	  Intercourse every other day until x days after

	 5 4 3 2 1 O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   
	|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
	 I   I   I I I   I   I	

These are some questions I'm seeking to aswer as factually as possible:

o How long does it take to "regenerate" the man's supply of sperm? x (36?) hrs.
o How long do sperm generally live (once inside the woman)? x (36-60?) hrs.
o How long does it take for the sperm to travel to the waiting egg? x (1?) hr.
o How long does it take for the fertilized egg to travel to the uterus for
  implantation? x hrs./days

Please note your source - i.e. from a book, a physician, own experience, etc.
THANKS in advance for this valuable information!

Sincerely,
 Conceptionally_Confused (trying for #2 after being "lucky" with #1)

	I don't remember where I learned these things, just picked them up 
	along the way, but it takes
	3 days for the male to regain full sperm count
	The ovum (egg) can live for 12 hours after it is released
	Sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for 48 hours		it takes 7-10 days for implantation to occur
	I believe it only takes the sperm around an hour to reach
	 the egg.  I don't know what they do if it isn't there, hang
	 around waiting I guess.  :-)
		Linda

I suggest you read Sherman Silber's new book, "How to Get Pregnant with the
New Technology."  He goes into great detail about how it all works.

It may take three days for the sperm supply to (more or less) fully
recover, but since the woman's fertility window is shorter, that should
only affect abstinence *before* she's fertile.  Once she's fertile,
if you wait three days, you've missed the window.

    
    
    I've been told that it helps to place a pillow under your hips for 20 
    minutes after sex just to give the sperm a helping hand on its way to 
    the egg. It hasn't worked for me yet, but I haven't been trying for all 
    that long! It may be worth the try!
    
    Good Luck!
    
    jo.

    	A friend of mine (no joke here) stood on her head for 15 minutes
    after she had sex and both times she did it, she got pregnant. (but
    then there was no history of difficult conception and so who knows if
    this actually helped her or not).

    	Talk about acrobatics in the bedroom.

    			Wendy

    I don't recall having to stand on my head, and we did it twice
    on the first unprotected try......
    
    But, if it works for you......
    
    Monica

    
    
    I read this really really gross story of a couple who couldn't
    conceive, as the lady was infertile, or something. Well the husband
    made a donation, and using a turkey baster the 'donation' was delivered
    to the wifes sister, who stood on her head!
    
    Yuccckkkkk! It must be true, it was in the newspaper 8-}
    
    
    Simon

    
    re: -1
    
    	They interviewed that lady on a radio show I was listening to. It's
    	true.

<           <<< Note 143.86 by CSC32::S_MAUFE "this space for rent" >>>

Why is this so gross, Simon?  Many of us in this file have used donated
sperm.  Although I didn't go so far as standing on my head, I did have my
hips elevated.  I didn't consider that any grosser than some ways some *other*
people have gotten sperm into them.  :-)

      Carol

    Is there really an advantage to having your hips elevated ??  Or is
    just staying flat in bed (or wherever) just as good?  
    
    ** if I really thought standing on my head would work, I'd do it **
    
    

    
    
    Carol,
    	you're right and  I apologise for my insensitivity. It was the
    do-it-yourself technique, and using a turkey baster, and standing on
    your head, that for me, was kinda yeuck!
    
     Personally, I still prefer the 'other' method, and all the 
    practising involved therein 8-)
    
    Simon

    After Embryo Transfer (IVF) your bed is slanted at a pretty sharp
    angle.  You stay in this wonderful position for 4 hours and during
    that time a pretty little nurse brings your lunch.  It's usally
    something that ends up all over your chest and chin...must be a gravity
    type of trick.
    
    ...and then there is always trying to go to the bathroom when you feel
    like your almost standing on your head....
    
    ..Lori

    What has worked for me is getting married.  My first was concieved on
    my honeymoon.  I was remarried on the 24th of April and am now pregnant
    again.  
    
    Ps. I was on the `Pill' both times.  Should have been a hint I guess.
    
    Virginia

    Sometimes people don't have the option of the natural method.  The
    turkey baster idea sounds as good a method as any artificial method
    I have heard of.  Hey, you do what works, right?
    
    Jeff

    I gather that the elevation is to concentrate the sperm near the
    cervix.  Depending on where things sit, this could be the wrong
    position if you were on your back.  for some of us lying on a side or
    tummy works better.

    Forgive my ignorance but I remember watching a movie on TV that showed
    a Hollywood version of an AI proceedure.  I remember the "nurse"
    suggesting to the woman that while laying quietly for whatever period
    of time after, that she should try to bring herself to orgasm.  Is this
    accurate or just Hollywood?
    
    FWIW, both times I conceived I was the one on top.  Don't ask me how it
    ever worked.  I was convinced this was the last possible way that
    conception would ever take place.  And well the rest is called....AJ!
    
    Lyn

Lyn,

I'd say that's Hollywood fantasy (and I remember seeing the same movie).
I've had 12 regular AI's and 9 Intrauterine Insemination attempts, and 
no one ever told me to try that to make them more successful.  With a
regular AI, they left me slightly elevated for about 10 minutes after
each attempt, and with the IUI's they put a plastic sponge-type device
in to keep the sperm in place for a couple of hours (I don't remember
the exact time, but I think it was something like 2 hours), but that's
about it.  

Cathy

    I remember reading somewhere that having an orgasm produced some kind
    of chemical something or other that made it easier to conceive?
    
    

    It certainlly doesn't do any harm... :-)
    
    q
    

It changes the alkalinity (or acidity) in the vagina so that if the
sperm pass through the vagina then you are more likely to have a boy.
Of course, if you are using intra-uterine inseminations then it doesn't
matter a whit (well, at least it doesn't do anything to make it more
likely to conceive, and it may be possible that the contractions may 
push out some of the sperm...?).

     Carol

    
    .3 mentions making love every other day from day 8-20.  are there
    any repercussions of sexual activity beyond day 20 that may prevent
    a pregnancy to occur?
    
    thanks.
    jo

    
    
    	They mention to have sex during this time frame since you will 
    	only be ovulating during this time frame - if you want to have sex
    after that, remember that your done ovulating and chance of getting
    pregnant on day 21 is very low.. 
    
    	I don't ovulate until day 18 some people ovulate on day 9.
    
    So answer to your question ? No there are no repercussions.
    
    Donna

    thanks.
    
    jo

    
The following is being posted for a member of the PARENTING notesfile
community who prefers to remain anonymous at this time.   If you wish
to contact the author by mail, please send your message to me and I will
forward it to the anonymous noter.    Your message will be forwarded with
your name attached  unless you request otherwise.

Carol Stolicny, PARENTING co-mod
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


    If I have a 25 day cycle (from the first day of my period to the first
    day of the next) how do I work out when I'm likely to ovulate?

    As a rule you are fertile about two weeks before your next period, so
    about day 11 would be for ovulation.
    
    meg

    There are kits on the market that can help you predict this.
    
    Instructions are included; but having read the instructions more than a
    few times, I can tell you that for a 25-day cycle you would begin
    testing your urine on day 7 [counting the first day of menses as day
    1] and test until you get a positive test [generally 4 or 5 days]
    
    A colour-change indicating an LH [lutenizing hormone] surge predicts
    that you will ovulate within the next 12-40 hours.
    
    Fell free to contact me offline.
    
      Annie

    
    To chart your temperature you buy a basel thermometer which is an oral
    thermometer that measures each tenth of a degree (or something like
    that) so you can carefully track the changes.  The thermometer will
    come with instructions on how to take the measurements as well as a
    chart to use for tracking.
    
    If you really want to be sure when you ovulate you should not just
    guess but use a kit or thermometer. If you ended up with infertility
    problems charting your temperature is one of the first things they
    require you to do.
    
    

    My gynecologist advised against the temperature method unless there is 
    not some evidence that there is a fertility problem. He argues that it is
    stressful and cumbersome. I think I agree with him. At my age at that time
    (I was 38) he said I should try for a year and then start discussing (it
    took me 4 months with the first and 1 with the current).

    I nevertheless started using the "discharge control" method which is easy
    to use and is quite fascinating to observe (I was almost disappointed when 
    it was so quick with the second). The idea is that the discharge gets very
    liquid 3 days before ovulation and then suddenly thickens (or even stops)
    at the moment the ovulation has happened. If one does a bit of counting
    on top of it, I think it can give a good indication.

    I'm sorry, but I don't agree with your gynecologist.  Infertility
    causes stress, not the other way around.  And if you had had any
    problems getting pregnant and followed his advice to try for a year and
    then go back, the first thing he would have said was that you needed to
    go away and chart your temperature for something like 6 months.   With
    those of us who do end up going the infertility route [and granted,
    that's only about 15%, but when you're in that percentage, hearing that
    it's a small portion of people who have similar problems doesn't
    exactly help], it can be years before they find the cause, if they find
    it at all, and it can be years before a successful pregnancy.
    
    The change in mucus you describe is a good indicator, and it can be
    used in conjunction with the temperature method.  Also, I think it's
    easier to do the temperature method while getting used to the mucus
    method.  And there are those of us, like me, who don't have the mucus
    change [which is a fertility problem in itself], so it doesn't work for
    everyone. 
    
    I'd still say chart the temperature, and supplement it with the mucus
    method.

<                      <<< Note 143.109 by PCBUOA::GIUNTA >>>
<
<    I'm sorry, but I don't agree with your gynecologist.  Infertility
<    causes stress, not the other way around.  

Are you referring to .108, Cathy?  If so, I don't think her gyn said she
shouldn't do the basal temp because it would cause infertility, just that
it would be stressful.  It *is* stressful.  It's a pain in the you-know-what.
If I were ever to do this again I would do it without the basal temps and just
use the ovulation kits and/or other methods.

     Carol

    Couldn't other forms of stress delay the process of getting pregnant, ie
    work, homelife etc (not to mention the stress of trying to get pregnant)? 
    Surely that would cause your temperature to rise and therefore confuse
    when you think you're likely to ovulate?

    Jane.

    I think infertility causes stress, and stress *can* cause infertility. 
    I had a few concerns about my fertility when I was trying for Alex,
    though I hadn't gotten to the point of being diagnosed (or even tested)
    as infertile.  I did use the basal thermometer and for me it was
    totally stress-FREE!  (What could be more simple than rolling over,
    grabbing the thermometer from the nightstand, and using it before I
    even put my contacts in?!)  In fact, being the perfectionist-in-random-
    areas-Virgo that I am, having the chart took away stress and gave me
    the feeling that I was in control.
    
    FWIW,
    Leslie

    I never found charting my temperature stressful. [except not being
    able to urinate for 5 minutes awakening ... tap, tap, tap ... oooh, my
    eyes are beginning to water]
    
    My husband, on the other hand, would have preferred to be at _least_
    one time-zone away from me during the process.
    
    Because of his distress, I began to become distressed as well. Hence,
    once the pattern was established [3 months] I switched to kits and
    never went back]
    
      Annie

   RE .109

   >I'm sorry, but I don't agree with your gynecologist.  Infertility
   >causes stress, not the other way around.  And if you had had any
   >problems getting pregnant and followed his advice to try for a year (...)

   I did not at wanted offend anybody here and I feel sorry if I did. The 
   only thing my gynecologist recommended is basically that you should not 
   assume that you have infertility problems *before* trying for a certain
   time to get pregnant.

<    Couldn't other forms of stress delay the process of getting pregnant, ie
<    work, homelife etc (not to mention the stress of trying to get pregnant)? 

There's no proof of that, Jane, and it's a real sore spot for infertile women.
We are told "relax!" which just makes us feel more stress, as if we are
responsible for our infertility.  

The fact of the matter is that infertility is *very* stressful, if you are
trying to get pregnant.  For me, nearly every waking moment had some connection
to the pregnancy I was trying to achieve.  Everything I ate or didn't eat 
was carefully chosen, so I wouldn't harm the baby even inadvertently.  Every
time I felt too much pressure or anger or fear, I would try to calm myself
so the baby (in case I was pregnant and didn't know it yet) wouldn't get the
adrenaline or hormones or whatever my body might release.  And so on and so on.

There are a lot of women who get pregnant in very stressful times.  A *lot*.
Then there's those of us who have a very difficult time even we are relaxed.
By the time we figure out that we're having a difficult time, the stress from
*not* getting pregnant is already there, and can be very, very strong.

    Carol

    
    
    I think that what Jane is trying to get across, is if you start
    thinking about maybe it'd be nice to possibly have a little one around,
    don't assume, right off the bat, that there might be something 'wrong'
    with you, before you even get around to 'trying'.  
    
    And I think that even THINKING about it, or even *REALLY* wanting to
    get pregnant places more than enough stress on some women to actually
    prevent it.  How many stories have you heard about the couple who
    desperately WANTS a baby, finally adopts a baby, (then presumably
    relaxes some) and POOF she's pregnant!
    
    Try not to think about it, try to just decide it'd be okay if it
    happened, and I think that the Dr's suggesting you may have better luck
    that way.  Obviously there's still plenty of people that need a little
    help (or else this string wouldn't be here (-:).  
    
    I think the "relax!" that Jane is referring to, is more directed to
    women who have no reason to think that they may have trouble
    conceiving.  Obviously after a few/several months of trying, saying
    RELAX isn't going to be very effective.
    
    Did I catch that right?
    

    
    how hot is hot?  i mean they say not to use electric blankets when
    trying to conceive.  we don't have an electric balnket but we do use
    a heavy down comforter.  with the current weather changes, some nights
    get hotter than others.  so how do i know if we're sleeping in a bed
    that's too hot?
    
    thanks.
    jo

    
    
    My husband and I have been trying for four months now to get pregnant
    with no such luck.  I'm noticing mucus at day 7-9.  Is this too early
    to be ovulating if I am very regular on a 28 day cycle?  I thought it
    would be and don't really want to get an ovulation kit (husband is
    stressed a bit by having to do on certain times of month and if I bring
    home a kit, it might make matters worse).
    
    Four years ago after not using a diaghram I was pregnant in three
    months and not trying at all.  I am alittle worried that having an IUD
    for a year (taken out four months ago) that something could have
    happened to my reproductive system.  However, I don't want to call a
    doctor because my OB said that unless you have been trying for a year,
    its not logical to contact a doctor about not being able to get
    pregnant.   Would a doctor be able to tell if there were any issues
    from the IUD anyways?
    
    Thanks...
    
    impatient ... cj
    

    
    	Four months is not unusual.  I believe the average is eight
    	months.  If you are "trying" for a specific sex, I'd expect
    	it to take longer than your own average because you'd be
    	intentionally limiting your, um, efforts each cycle.
    
    	One of the first things a doctor will recommend is basal
    	temperature charting.  You might want to start now, which
    	will also help you pinpoint your actual ovulation.
    
    	Karen
    

    Day 9 was just about right for me and I have a regular 28 day cycle. 
    When I was trying to get pregnant with my daughter I was doing the
    daily temperature routine along with various other tests and know for
    sure that I conceived on Day 9 of my cycle.

    
    Try charting the basal temperature, it gives you a pretty
    good idea when you ovulate so you don't have to guess. 
    
    
    Eva

    While a hassle starting the basal temp readings now it gets you that much
    ahead of the game if you end up going to your doctor.  If you go to
    your doctor, he/she will either send you home to do the basal thing
    or the ovulation kit before any other tests are performed.
    
    While it can be stressful having to plan when you do "it", never mind
    adding the temperature readings, it just might get you pregnant
    earlier.
    
    

<    While a hassle starting the basal temp readings now it gets you that much
<    ahead of the game if you end up going to your doctor.  

Yeah, but you could do the ovulation kits ahead of time, and that would
be a lot easier.  The ovulation kits can now be purchased at the supermarket.

    Carol

    Pardon my ignorance, but a basal temp is just your normal temp right?
    
    cj

    When you keep a basal temperature chart, you must take your temperature
    before getting out of bed in the morning for it to be accurate.  This
    is not the same as taking the temperature at any time during the day. 
    Just getting out of bed will alter the reading.  A doctor will ask you
    to keep a basal temperature chart when he is trying to determine when
    you are ovulating.  It is usually one of the first steps taken when you
    go to see a doctor if you have not been able to get pregnant on your
    own.
    
    Maria

    It's a finely-calibrated thermometer (shows a range of only 2 or 3
    degrees F, I think) because you're looking for variations in tenths of
    a degree.  Drugstores have 'em.
    
    Leslie

You body temperature varies up and down by as much as a couple of degrees over
the course of a normal day.  The "basal" temperature is just the low temperature
at the end of a night's sleep, before you've started moving around.  (I believe
that even the exercise of getting out of bed is enough to raise you body
temperature a couple tenths of a degree above the basal temperature, which would
be a big enough error to throw off an ovulation chart.)

	-Neil

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meg

Hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this happen and eventually 
got pregnant:

I had a miscarriage (at 8.5 wks) in November.  Had a D&C and was told 
to wait two cycles before trying again. Since I'm on a 4-5 week cycle, 
I didn't complete both until early-mid Feb.  After not getting preg in 
Feb, I started taking my temp (upon waking), it never really spiked 
(to show ovulation).  I was sick for a week and during that time, it 
went from 98 to 100 for 1 day (and we took the appropriate action 8-) 
but it never did what I'd seen it do before (go a bit high, spike and 
then back to normal over a 2-3 day period). I just got my monthly 
confirmation that I am again, not pregnant.

Anyway, I don't have another appt with the Dr. until June and I'm sure 
I'm just overly curious, but has anyone else ever seen this?  I guess 
I really wondering because everyone always says how much more fertile 
you are after having a pregnancy and I seem to not even be ovulating.

In the meantime, I'm not going to obsess about it and at least the 
practice is fun!

Thanks,

    Hi,
    
    Was just wondering if you should have sex every day or every  other
    day during your fertile time - we made love every day for about 1
    week (even used an ovulation predictor and made sure we hit the next
    3 days).
    
    Got my period this morning   :-(
    
    -Nancy

    
    I've heard every other day recommended frequently.  I may be
    stretching my knowledge here but I think it has to do with
    allowing the sperm supply to recuperate.
    
    Carol

>    I've heard every other day recommended frequently.  I may be
>    stretching my knowledge here but I think it has to do with
>    allowing the sperm supply to recuperate.

    me too...and enjoy it!
    bob

    Thanks,
    
    I thought it was mentioned somewhere in this notesfile but the book
    I have (Getting Pregnant) doesn't mention the every-other-day factor 
    being beneficial.
    
    I'm hopeful that some day I may become pregnant but have some strikes 
    against me:
    
       - Age 39 (never been pregnant - 2nd husband now)
    
       - had surgery last August for fibroid tumors, endometriosis,
         and a cyst on one of my ovaries
     
    Other than that, I'm healthy as a horse!
    
    If anyone else has either tried the every day vs. every-other-day
    factor, let me know!
    
    
    - Nancy