Timing is Everything
Well it’s not everything. But timing In relation to trying to conceive is very important. And sometimes it’s the only thing standing in the way of that plus sign on a pregnancy test.
For Women:
Check your cervical mucus. Yes, it’s normal and no it’s not disgusting. When your cervical mucous is opaque like an uncooked egg white and stretches from finger to finger, it’s go time! This is the substance that allows sperm to swim to its awaiting destination- your ripe follicle. If it is too watery or too creamy and does not stretch, it is not going to allow the sperm through.
Take your Basal Body Temperature or BBT. Keep a thermometer by your bed, wake up every morning at the same time and take your temperature. Do this before you get out of bed, before you stand up, before you run to the bathroom or take a drink of water. Throughout your cycle you will see shifts in overall temperature. From Day 1 of your period until ovulation it will be lower. When you ovulate, your temperature spikes. So if your temperature rises by about .5 to 1 degree and it is near day 14, you are probably ovulating. Just be aware that other factors can effect your body temperature like having a cold.
Try using an Ovulation Predictor Kit or OPK. The first two methods are the most reliable but these kits can be another helpful tool. Follow the directions on the kit because each one is a little different. One thing to remember about these kits is they detect the hormone that causes you to ovulate. When you get a positive, you haven’t ovulated yet. So wait for 24-36 hours until you try to conceive.
For men:
Some think that the more often you have sex, the better the chances of conceiving. But unless you are a healthy teenager, sperm count can get too low if sex is occurring too often. It is recommended that the male abstain from ejaculating for 2-4 days before the first “try” for that month.
Try these tips and don’t forget to have fun! You might be creating another human!