Fertility

As the weeks turn into months you may begin to realize the cold truth that getting pregnant isn’t as easy as you had imagined. If it’s your first time you may even have spent most of your life trying to ‘avoid’ getting pregnant and even fearing it.. well now the time has come you may be starting to realise that it isn’t as straight forward as you thought.
There are several factors which may be impeding your getting pregnant.

Why is it so difficult?

Well, logistically, the timing is very important.
A healthy woman ovulates only once every cycle normally releasing an egg which needs to be fertilised within a period of 6 to 12 hours in order to become pregnant.
This is the main factor which stops the majority of healthy couples from becoming pregnant.

The male sperm can survive inside the woman for between 2 and 3 days and the ideal situation for fertilisation is to have the sperm recently deposited inside the woman and waiting for the egg to appear - most fertilisation actually takes place at the mouth of the fallopian tubes.

The quality of the male sperm can vary greatly. Heat around the testicles, the wearing of tight underwear and excessive ejaculation are all factors which can greatly decrease the amount of active fertile sperm reducing the possibility of fertilisation.

So if a couple had intercourse twice a day every day for the whole month it would not necessarily be as effective as to have intercourse only once at the right time… just hours before ovulation occurs.

An effective method used by many couples (which will be addressed in a future article) is the charting method or BBT (Basal Body Temperature) method. This basically involves charting the daily vaginal temperature. Just at the point of ovulation there is a significant rise in temperature. This, combined with other symptoms such as density of vaginal mucus and possible abdominal sensations will show the when ovulation is occurring. After a few months of using this highly accurate method, the couple can predict with high certainty exactly when ovulation will occur and can have intercourse just hours before this is due to occur to ensure fertilisation.

Major health matters that impede fertilization include smoking and drinking in both the woman and the man. Un-healthy eating.. the woman should make sure that she has a good supply of vitamin B12 (found in meat, fish, eggs and milk) also the taking of folic acid can greatly help matters.
Drug taking (including some prescription drugs) is also very harmful for the conception process (and for the unborn baby if continued into pregnancy). The smoking of cannabis / marijuana reduces the amount of active sperm produced by the man by well over 50% and the effects of this last for over 6 months.

All these points show how difficult it can be to get pregnant and you might begin to see that the creation of another human life really is a miracle when you see how improbable the chances of fertilisation really are.

Heather Barnard - Author of the
“No Nonsense Guide To Getting Pregnant” - Complete guide to getting pregnant - Find out more here:
http://www.pregnantaid.com/guidetogettingpregnant.html

Tags: pregnant, become pregnant, get pregnant, fertility, infertility

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Introduction
Here we get to the nitty-gritty: How do you really make a baby? You have sex, of course. Yes, you need to try and predict your ovulation through charting your cycle, but if you and your partner don’t get busy, then your goal cannot be realized.

Obviously, it only takes one time to create a baby. In order to maximize your odds of conceiving, though, it is best to have intercourse at least a couple of times during your fertile time. After having read this book, you are aware of the infertile times of your cycle.

It is a good idea, however, to be sexually active throughout your cycle. Why?

1) Frequency of ejaculation can help improve the motility of sperm. It is not recommended that your partner refrain from ejaculation for more than a week.
2) Trying to conceive can be stressful for both partners. If you are only intimate in order to make a baby, then you are putting undue pressure on those few times that you engage in intercourse. Your partner may have a hard time a) getting or keeping an erection, or b) ejaculating. To avoid these situations, have sex throughout your cycle. Moreover, if you are having trouble predicting ovulation, this strategy will maximize your chance for success.

How To

Yes, I realize that you know how to have sex. Try and think of this as baby making sex, however. It should be a bit different from your normal activities. Of course, just by having sex, you can get pregnant, but if you follow some of these tricks of the trade, then you will enhance your chances.

Many believe that baby making should be fun and spontaneous. Yes, you can have fun, but spontaneity should be reserved for your infertile times. Baby making requires planning to increase your chances of conceiving. After all, if you wanted to be spontaneous, you wouldn’t be reading this book.

Sperm Count

Sperm count is a key factor in conception. Total count, concentration, motility, abnormalities, etc. are all components of semen analysis (S/A). If your partner has been tested, then you are a step ahead of most couples. If your partner has not been tested, then it is best to assume a normal sperm count in the beginning of your trying to conceive journey.

Normal Sperm Count

It is necessary for your partner to build up his sperm count before starting the baby making process. A three day period of abstinence goes a long way in ensuring that there will be a sufficient concentration and number of sperm to get the job done. Remember that abstinence excludes all forms of ejaculation: oral sex, masturbation, intercourse, etc.

After your partner “suffers” through this three day period, have intercourse on a daily basis. Make sure that you are timing sex at least 24 hours apart, though. Your partner needs this time to “refuel”. This means that you do need to schedule your times of intimacy. Pick a time of day that you are both free and unencumbered.

Mona and her husband, Mike, decide that 10pm is the best time to engage in baby making sex. At this time, they are usually settling in to watch the news. They are relaxed and have finished all of the day’s chores and activities. Moreover, they have a sufficient amount of time and do not need to rush.

Mike and Mona’s Timetable:
1) They have intercourse on Monday night.
2) Mike then abstains until 10pm on Thursday night.
3) The couple then engages in baby making sex every night at 10pm from Thursday through Sunday.
4) Mona’s chart shows probable ovulation occurring on Saturday.

Low Sperm Count

For a low sperm count, you should be engaging in baby making sex every other day (48 hours apart) because your partner needs more time to “refuel” then a man with a normal sperm count needs. Abstaining from ejaculation for at least three days before you start your baby making schedule is still crucial.

Jeff has a low sperm count. He and his partner, Cara, decide that since they usually go to sleep at 11:30pm, they will start their baby making encounters at 10:30pm.

Jeff and Cara’s Timetable:
1) On Monday, Jeff masturbates. He then abstains until Thursday night (observing the three day rule).
2) The couple has intercourse Thursday, Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday nights at about 10:30pm.
3) Cara’s chart shows probable ovulation occurring on Tuesday.

It’s not Working!!

I had recommended that in the absence of any medical testing, you should assume that your partner has a normal sperm count. After a few non-successful cycles, however, a change can be made. You may decide to go with the low sperm count schedule of intercourse which is every 48 hours. You might, however, want to try a more moderate schedule of every 36 hours. The latter might be a little more tricky, schedule wise. As a couple, you will need to find two times during the day that are free and unencumbered. Obviously, this is a much easier scenario for a childless couple.

Lucy and Rob have been trying to conceive for four cycles. Rob has not had an S/A done, but they have assumed his count was normal, thus having intercourse daily. The couple decides that they would like to try the 36-hour method. Lucy needs to get up for work at 7am while Rob doesn’t need to arise until 8am. The couple decides to set the alarm for 6:15am and engage in baby making sex. They know that they will also have to have sex at around 7pm, about 36 hours later. This is also a good time for them because it is after dinner.

Lucy and Rob’s Timetable:
1) They engage in intercourse on Saturday morning.
2) Rob abstains until Tuesday morning (observing three day rule).
3) The couple then has sex at these times: 6:15am Tuesday, 7pm Wednesday, 6:15am Friday, and 7pm Saturday.
4) Lucy’s chart shows probable ovulation occurring on Friday.

NOTE: If you are having intercourse daily, then it is very important to leave 24 hours in between “sessions”, allowing time for your partner to rebuild his sperm count. If you are following a 36-hour or 48-hour schedule then being off by a couple of hours will not be as much of a problem.

Pattern

Practice makes perfect. It is much easier to plan your intercourse timing and frequency when you have charted at least two cycles (three or more is better) because then you will have an idea of your personal pattern. You will want to know at what point in your cycle you usually ovulate. This does not mean that you have to state: “I ovulate on cycle day X”. Although this is ideal, it is not realistic that you will ovulate on the exact same cycle day each month. It is more probably that you will be able to state a range: “I will probably ovulate sometime between cycle day X and Z.

It is ideal to engage in at least two baby making encounters before your ovulation date, to try and ensure fertilization.

O Day is the Best Day???

Many women think that if they have intercourse on ovulation day, then they will have done their best. This is a misconception for three reasons:
1) Many women notice that their peak day (last day of fertile quality cervical fluid (CF)) actually occurs one day before ovulation. Since fertile quality CF is the best medium of transportation for the sperm, it would stand to reason that your peak day is the best day to engage in baby making sex.
2) Many women begin to dry up on ovulation day. Sticky CF or no CF will be a major hindrance to the sperm’s motility.
3) It is best for the sperm to be in the fallopian tubes before the egg is released. It may take hours for the sperm to travel to the fallopian tubes. Unless you know the exact hour that you are going to ovulate, having intercourse on ovulation day can be a hit or miss prospect.

So if the peak day is the best day, then what? Obviously, if you are having sex daily, then hitting the peak day is no problem. If you are having sex every other day, it can be tricky. Try your best to include the peak day, but don’t fret if it’s not possible. Remember that sperm can live for five to six days in fertile quality fluid. If you have two days of eggwhite CF, and you have sex on one of them, then you are golden. Even if you miss your eggwhite day, but hit your creamy CF day, then you will still have a great shot.

Positions

Many women want to know what the best position is for baby making sex. There are two that I favor, missionary and rear entry. The one position that you definitely want to avoid is woman-on-top. The problem with this position is simply gravity. When your partner ejaculates while you are on top, there is an increased chance that the sperm will leak out. Missionary is usually the favored position, but rear entry has a distinct advantage of depositing the sperm closer to your cervix.

NOTE: Rear entry can be more of a disadvantage if your partner ejaculates too deeply, creating a pool of sperm behind your cervix. To minimize this risk, your partner should pullback slightly just before ejaculating.

To Recline is Divine

After intercourse, it is preferable that you lie down on your back for at least 15 minutes with your hips elevated. This practice will allow the sperm time to begin their journey to the fallopian tubes without having to fight gravity. To elevate your hips, put a pillow underneath your bottom. Have your partner turn on the TV for you or better yet use the time to talk about your day with your significant other. 15-30 minutes is all you need to allow the sperm to get a head start.

Have a Tilted Uterus?

20% of women have a tilted uterus. This means that the uterus tips either forwards or backwards (anteflexed or retroflexed). Having a tilted uterus does not decrease your chances of conceiving. It is actually considered to be akin to being left-handed. You can improve your chances by engaging in rear entry intercourse, however. Also, it is recommended that instead of lying on your back for 15-30 minutes after intercourse, you lie on your stomach instead. Put a pillow underneath the upper part of your thigh for elevation.

Things to Avoid

1) Saliva: it can kill sperm. It is best not to engage in oral sex before you have intercourse.
2) Some commercial lubricants: many of them will decrease your chances of conceiving. If you must use lubrication, real eggwhites are ideal. Also, a new product, Pre~Seed Intimate Moisturizer, has been receiving rave reviews from women, so it may be worth a try.
3) Woman-on-top position: it should be avoided at time of ejaculation.
4) Getting up immediately after intercourse: if possible, give the sperm some time to travel by lying down afterwards.

Happy Baby Making!

Visit the Baby Making 101 official website today: Your How to Get Pregnant
Eguide

Copyright 2006, LeeRay Publishing, LLC

Tags: how to get pregnant, trying to get pregnant, fertility, pregnancy

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Health insurance for infertility treatment can be a complicated - and touchy - subject. It affects a lot of people - approximately 6 million women experience the pain of infertility each year in the United States. The health insurance laws in the state you live in may have a lot do with the extent of your coverage; for example whether your employer is required to provide infertility insurance or not.

One reason that infertility insurance is so expensive and hard to come by is because the procedures are so complicated - an in-vitro fertilization procedure can cost $10,000 or more. Not surprisingly, many insurance companies simply don’t provide - or provide very limited - insurance coverage for infertility.

There are some things you can do if you aren’t covered for infertility treatment under your health insurance. Firstly, make sure you read and fully understand your insurance policy - some policies exclude actual treatments only, some exclude diagnosis too.

Determine whether you live in a state that has mandatory infertility insurance coverage - New York, for example is one of several such states. Under the mandate, your state must ensure that insurers provide fertility insurance as part of a standard plan, or as an option to purchase for a reasonable price.

If you are shopping around for health insurance, never mention that you are looking specifically for fertility insurance, or that this may later be a concern. As this coverage is so costly, insurance companies have the right by law to turn down your application for insurance - without giving you a reason.

If you are denied coverage, it is also possible to appeal to your insurance company on the grounds that the fertility coverage is a legitimate and necessary medical procedure. To appeal any decision successfully, always obtain legal advice, and you may need the support of your doctor.

And if your insurance company just won’t cover it, the good news is that infertility treatment, like most medical procedures are tax-deductible. This includes the actual procedures as well as general physician’s visits, drug costs, etc.

Visit EZ Quote Guide to get a fast health insurance quote online. If you want to learn more about
purchasing low cost health insurance feel free to visit our site.

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Tags: infertility, fertility, treatment, coverage, insurance, quote, rate, in-vitro

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