by Carolyn in how to 45 comments

There is actually more to getting pregnant than *just* having sex. While sex is definitely essential, it is not the most important part of getting pregnant. Most women think that they can get pregnant any day of the month. This is not true. In order to get pregnant, a [relatively] healthy viable egg has to meet with sperm. There is actually only a 12 to 24-hour period when a woman’s egg is viable. That is during ovulation.

Most women do not know when they ovulate. They assume that ovulation occurs when the period starts. This, of course, is not true. In order to understand this process, let us start at the beginning.

The first day that we bleed is Day 1 of the menstrual cycle. A woman will bleed anywhere from 2 – 7 days. Any less or more should be checked by a doctor as it could indicate fertility issues.

Typically, the egg will make its way from the ovary through the fallopian tube around Day 14 of the cycle. If there is sperm waiting there to meet the egg, BOOM, a star is born (in nine months.) If not – for whatever reason – then the egg will die and wait around in the uterus for the beginning of the next menstrual cycle and be shed along with the uterine lining.

So, does every woman ovulate on Day 14? No. How can you tell on which day you will ovulate? There are several methods. The one I used was “waking temperature.” Using this method, you have to wake up at the same time every morning and take your temperature. At the beginning of your menstrual cycle, your waking temperature will be somewhat low (below 98 degrees, most likely). Around Day 15, your waking temperature will spike at least half a degree. The day BEFORE your temperature rose is the day you ovulated.

The shell of the egg causes the rise in temperature. It is preparing your body to host a baby. Your temperature will remain elevated until Day 1 of your next menstrual cycle. If, however, your temperature remains elevated for 18 days after you have ovulated, you are most likely pregnant.

It will take at least 3 months for you to figure out exactly what day you ovulate. Once you are sure that you know which day of your cycle you are ovulating, it is then very important to time sex accordingly. While you can get pregnant if you only have sex on the day you ovulate, it is very unlikely. Why? Well, because it takes sperm at least 48 hours to make their way from the cervix up into the uterus where it can meet with the egg. The egg will not last 48 hours, but the sperm will live 72 hours or more in the warm, moist female environment.

For the best chances to get pregnant, it is best to have sex on the two days before you ovulate, as well as, on the day that you ovulate. If, after twelve months of trying (using this method *correctly*) you have not conceived, you may want to see a doctor to discuss infertility factors.


Attached picture shows a chart used for tracking waking temperature

Increasing your odds to get pregnant  (Addition contributed by Tamara-Wilhite)
You've heard all the advice of keeping to a proper diet, exercising regularly, reducing stress, taking your vitamins, and all the other good health mantra. Stick to it. Not doing so reduces your odds of conception and chance to get pregnant. If your odds aren't great and you do not know how to get pregnant, a healthy lifestyle still a good regimen to stay with.

You probably know the biology of how babies are made. Sperm meets egg in that magic 12 to 24 hour period it's good. Sperm last 2 to 3 days, so as long as your partner gets attention every other night, the job should get done and this is how you get pregnant. If you do not know those mechanics, I recommend a book like the Kama Sutra for specific mechanical methods to help you get pregnant.

Here are the factors that decrease the odds of conception, getting pregnant and ways to improve them:

1. Underweight
Talk to your doctor and get to an ideal weight before getting pregnant. If the condition is due to thyroid or glandular problems, have that resolved before getting pregnant.

2. Over weight
Talk to your doctor and try to get to an ideal weight before getting pregnant. If that isn't practical, discuss how to avoid gaining too much weight during the pregnancy. If the condition is due to thyroid or glandular problems, have that resolved before you get pregnant.

3. Alcohol consumption
Stop drinking it now. And absolutely no alcohol consumption while pregnant.

4. Caffeine consumption
Caffeine reduces the odds of conception. It can also worsen morning sickness symptoms when consumed as cola or coffee and if you want to get pregnant, stave off your addiction to caffeine.

5. Stress
Stress creates a drain on the body's resources, reducing that available for consumption. Attempt to reduce your stress level. Meditation may help. So does clearing your schedules, dumping non-value added activities, and finding far more time in your life. After all, after you have a baby, the child will need that time more than your friends do.

6. Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep interferes with the body's natural hormonal cycles. Less than 7 hours of sleep per night will cause the body to not produce enough of the ovulation hormone, reducing the odds of an egg release per month.

7. Sexually transmitted diseases
Any sexually transmitted disease must be treated prior to conception, and cured if possible. This is not only a health factor in reducing the odds of conception, it can also risk the baby's health.

8. Lack of ovulation
This is usually caused by hormonal imbalances. It may be from a medical condition like PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) or from previously used contraceptive methods (Depo Provera and Norplant). One clear sign of lack of
ovulation is lack of a period. Another indicator is if the ovulation tests one can buy over the counter at the pharmacy never give a positive indication. If you are not having a period or have signs that you are not ovulating, see a doctor for evaluation. Fertility drugs to treat this may be required.

Getting pregnant is one of the most thrilling (in more than one way) roulette games you can play. If you win, then in a few months, you come home with a beautiful baby of (hopefully) one gender or another. Good luck!

 

stop drinking when preg is what i told a lady yest but she bluffed

posted 18 months ago

i want 2 gt preggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted 16 months ago

why u say that 4

posted 15 months ago

Great tips!

posted 15 months ago

dont smoke and take nutrients food

posted 15 months ago

getting married and having sex intercourse is one way to get pregnant.. whatever it is..all depends on god's consent.. its been experienced to some couples that eventhough they work hard and keep on trying something that make his partner pregnant.. but unfortunately failed.. so to remedy this problem don't forget to pray to the almighty GOD..begging for something favaourable outing...!!

posted 14 months ago

i want to tell my grandma that i am prego but she said she will kick me out if she finds out that i am so what do i do i got a baby on the way and im 3 and a half mounts and my sis said i am stating to show she said this mounth or next mounth i will start feeling the baby move san i need to talk to my grandma so she knows just me and my sis and the daddys knows i dont know who to talk to or were i am going to live

posted 14 months ago

can any ont tell me what to do i am lost

posted 14 months ago

well i think you should tell her its beter that shegets told my you not some 1 elec well at lest you can get pregnent me and my boyf have bin trying for long

posted 14 months ago

wow!!!!!!!!!!!! don't want too!!!!!!

posted 13 months ago