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 Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:23 pm
Yes, it's with a basal thermometer.
Another thing I read in my NFP book is that taking guafenesin (an expectorant in cough syrups) can help make it easier to get pregnant. I think it's supposed to make your vaginal mucus secretions a bit thinner so they help transport the sperm a bit easier. I would definitely look up more information on that before trying it though.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:40 pm
Kyoki Marie kmaritza (Coming out of lurking. I'm Tet's wife, btw.)KM, natural family planning (NFP) actually doesn't rely on the 14 day rule. You don't have to have a regular cycle to use it. It does require alot of work though. You have to take your temperature at the same time every morning, first thing when you wake up, and you have to watch your mucus secretions. Lots of fun!
Has anyone bothered with those ovulator things they sell? Are they worth it? Yeah, a basal thermometer is what you have to use. That is because the temperature shift that you are looking for is roughly 0.2 degree F. Most over the counter thermometers have a reading to +/- 0.2 degrees (not that much help). Basal thermometers have an accuracy of 0.1 degrees, still doesn't make it that easy, but it does give you some sort of an idea. You have to do this for several cycles before you can feel confident that you know where the ovulation is. Personally, I don't know of anyone who has kept it up for that long. I'm sure there are people out there. It kind of ruins the mood for some (which can be more harm than good in some situations), but if you want to get all scientific and efficient, that definately is the way to go. Oh, I thought of another one: Try to get the male's cholesterol level down to a good level. Some of the research in male oral contraceptives during the mid to late 90s worked, but did so by raising the cholesterol level too high. See cholesterol is one of the components in the cell membrane that helps give the cell its shape. So raising the cholesterol level actual makes the cell harder to break down. In the case of sperm, if the cholesterol level is too high then they don't break and release the DNA. So if you have it at a reasonable level then that won't be a problem. Just something I was thinking of.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:32 pm
Tetravus Yeah, a basal thermometer is what you have to use. That is because the temperature shift that you are looking for is roughly 0.2 degree F. Most over the counter thermometers have a reading to +/- 0.2 degrees (not that much help). Basal thermometers have an accuracy of 0.1 degrees, still doesn't make it that easy, but it does give you some sort of an idea. You have to do this for several cycles before you can feel confident that you know where the ovulation is. Personally, I don't know of anyone who has kept it up for that long. I'm sure there are people out there. It kind of ruins the mood for some (which can be more harm than good in some situations), but if you want to get all scientific and efficient, that definately is the way to go. Oh, I thought of another one: Try to get the male's cholesterol level down to a good level. Some of the research in male oral contraceptives during the mid to late 90s worked, but did so by raising the cholesterol level too high. See cholesterol is one of the components in the cell membrane that helps give the cell its shape. So raising the cholesterol level actual makes the cell harder to break down. In the case of sperm, if the cholesterol level is too high then they don't break and release the DNA. So if you have it at a reasonable level then that won't be a problem. Just something I was thinking of. Oo but how do you check something like that at home???
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:50 pm
I was married for 12 years, used birth control obsessively and managed to have three beautiful children... so just stand next to me.... you'll be furtile murtile... he he he.... anyway seriously.... I wish you the best of blessings on your quest.... the most noble quest you could ever go on...
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 1:24 pm
Kyoki Marie Tetravus Yeah, a basal thermometer is what you have to use. That is because the temperature shift that you are looking for is roughly 0.2 degree F. Most over the counter thermometers have a reading to +/- 0.2 degrees (not that much help). Basal thermometers have an accuracy of 0.1 degrees, still doesn't make it that easy, but it does give you some sort of an idea. You have to do this for several cycles before you can feel confident that you know where the ovulation is. Personally, I don't know of anyone who has kept it up for that long. I'm sure there are people out there. It kind of ruins the mood for some (which can be more harm than good in some situations), but if you want to get all scientific and efficient, that definately is the way to go. Oh, I thought of another one: Try to get the male's cholesterol level down to a good level. Some of the research in male oral contraceptives during the mid to late 90s worked, but did so by raising the cholesterol level too high. See cholesterol is one of the components in the cell membrane that helps give the cell its shape. So raising the cholesterol level actual makes the cell harder to break down. In the case of sperm, if the cholesterol level is too high then they don't break and release the DNA. So if you have it at a reasonable level then that won't be a problem. Just something I was thinking of. Oo but how do you check something like that at home??? Are you talking about the cholesterol levels? Just get a blood work-up from your doctor. Won't cost much, especially if you just make the appointment for a blood workup, and you get a nurse to do it for you. A PA will help explain it too you when the results are in. You should only really have to do this one time, and then you will know how to adjust your diet, if you need to at all. The other thing (and I know this is a tough one) is to not get too stressed out about it. Dependent on the source, only about 80% of the couples trying to conceive do within the first year. Personally, I believe that if you take that figure in conjunction with what others have said here, that it is just plain easier to conceive if you are not focused on it. Yeah, that's a doable thing... trying to get pregnant without thinking about your own goal... yeah right. But the take home message is to just try to go with the flow.
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:15 pm
It's usually recommended to start taking pre-natal vitamins as soon as you start trying to conceive. Also, get plenty of sleep, and eat at regular times (ie the same general time each day). This keeps your body from being over-stressed, which can either deter ovulation or encourage a miscarriage. Other than that, yeah, take Orophin's advice. Especially if you're irregular. You've got to Make Sure. 3nodding
My mom always said to make room for the baby in your life. She said if there's space in your life to take care of a baby, the baby will come. If you're over-stressed as it is and wouldn't be able to fit in caring for your child if your life depended on it, chances are your body will react as such.
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:58 pm
Yvaine It's usually recommended to start taking pre-natal vitamins as soon as you start trying to conceive. Also, get plenty of sleep, and eat at regular times (ie the same general time each day). This keeps your body from being over-stressed, which can either deter ovulation or encourage a miscarriage. Other than that, yeah, take Orophin's advice. Especially if you're irregular. You've got to Make Sure. 3nodding My mom always said to make room for the baby in your life. She said if there's space in your life to take care of a baby, the baby will come. If you're over-stressed as it is and wouldn't be able to fit in caring for your child if your life depended on it, chances are your body will react as such.
Me: "Ok. Tonight, we'll have to do it at exactly nine fifty two pm... can you handle that?"
Him: Oo.....
But our stress is simply life-related. Money ect. I suppose this isn't the best time in the world, but its by far not the worst. I'd like to prepare, if that makes sense. I'm already taking the pre-nat vitamins and the folic acid, doing the eat-right-drink-right thing, and exercising. When the time comes, I'd like to be in the "I did all the right stuff" mode, instead of the "Oh crap, someone take the cookies away from me" mode.
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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:36 pm
Tetravus Basal thermometers have an accuracy of 0.1 degrees, still doesn't make it that easy, but it does give you some sort of an idea. You have to do this for several cycles before you can feel confident that you know where the ovulation is. Personally, I don't know of anyone who has kept it up for that long. *raises hand* Now you do! I was infertile for two years until I had my tubes flushed, and I took my basal temperature every morning for several months in a row, and also tracked things like cervical mucus changes to determine when I ovulate. The rule of thumb (if I remember) is that you release an egg usually about 14 days before the START of your next period, so if your cycles are normally 32 days, then you'd be ovulating on about day 18.. (adjust accordingly for shorter cycles, etc. And if your cycles are really irregular, having sex about every 3 days should cover it!) Once the egg is released, it's viable for about 24 hours before it disintegrates, BUT your fertile days are usually the day you ovulate and the 5 days before because sperm can often live that long inside you, waiting around for an egg. That is where the gender planning *can* be used (theoretiically, but not guaranteed) because "male" sperm get there quicker but die off sooner (just like in real life!) and "female" sperm take longer to get there, but stick around longer (also like real life!) So, having sex closer to ovulation *might* up the chances of a boy, and having sex a few days prior to ovulation *might* up the chances of a girl. Sperm takes maybe 30-40 minutes to travel up into the tubes far enough to meet an egg, so there are some suggestions about laying in bed for 30 minutes afterwards with a pillow under your hips. Although it's certainly not required (duh) because standing up just after sex is never effective birth control. wink And about the stress/worry things, people ALWAYS told me to stop worrying, stop TRYING, and I'd get pregnant, but I actually had tube blockage going on, and coincidentally, the month I got my tubes flushed (the procedure was actually an HSG which is flushing dye through my tubes and taking x-rays to see if they're open, but just the dye flushing through can clear minor blockages and the month following an HSG can be the most fertile month many women experience, as in my case) .. what was I saying? Oh, the month I got my tubes flushed was also THE MOST stressful month of all those two years due to a 5 1/2 year long lawsuit coming to a close and going to court, and I got pregnant that month! I think I'm infertile again. You can be medically considered "infertile" (meaning having trouble conceiving) if you've been having unprotected sex regularly for a year without conceiving, and you can start going in for testing. I've been another 2.5 years unprotected without conceiving, so I'm thinking I have the same tube blockage, but I'm not ready to go in for that yet because I'm not yet eager for another. smile Good luck to you!!
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Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:12 am
Wow, Miss fawN... ^.^ THank you! You've researched this, haven't you wink
Well, we're working on it. I hope everything works out...
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Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:54 pm
Dont get stressed try to stay relaxed, get on and keep a good reglar meal plan...eating healthy helps, also if your trying to concieve drink oj and start a prenatal vitamin with folic acid ...itll help improve not only your chances of getting pregnant..but you and the babys health (has a friend whos also trying)
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Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:44 pm
I already take a pre-natal vitamin and the folic acid, because for a while we thought I was something-deficiant, and pre-nat's have all those wonderful vitamins and stuff.
You know, I heard a rumor about different positions (in sex) helping. redface Can anyone tell me if thats fact or not?
(omg, I can't believe I'm asking.)
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Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:38 am
Kyoki Marie You know, I heard a rumor about different positions (in sex) helping. redface Can anyone tell me if thats fact or not?
(omg, I can't believe I'm asking.) Don't be embarrased I vaguely remember reading something about the position affecting conception... but im not sure of it was "for" or "against"... and i dont remember where i read it... so... ^^; I dunno.
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Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:13 am
Kyoki Marie You know, I heard a rumor about different positions (in sex) helping. redface Can anyone tell me if thats fact or not? Missionary position seems to be effective. Standing might not be ideal because stuff could leak out before it gets up there. Sometimes doggie style is good if you have a uterus that tilts back instead of forward, as then the cervix is often facing a different way.
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Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:27 am
Kyoki Marie I already take a pre-natal vitamin and the folic acid, because for a while we thought I was something-deficiant, and pre-nat's have all those wonderful vitamins and stuff.
You know, I heard a rumor about different positions (in sex) helping. redface Can anyone tell me if thats fact or not?
(omg, I can't believe I'm asking.) dont be embarassed... missionary stlye is usually best and help hint from carrie(my friend whos trying) after keep your hips and legs elevated for 20 mins(pillows work well )... it helps redface well keep everything in and moving in the right direction..ok yeah i just died of embarasment as well redface blaugh one more tidbit they sell ovulation predictors...they look like pregnancy tests and usually come 5 to a box you start them around the 12-14th day of your cycle and they read the hormone levels and tell you when your ovulating they usually cost between 10-25 or you can buy a fancy digital one thatll monitor your whole cycle and can be reused with strips(it vaguely looks like a glucose meter for diabetics) they range from 65-125$ however if your having probs or want the extra help their awesome 3nodding
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Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:14 am
dA_fUnKy_mOnKeY Kyoki Marie I already take a pre-natal vitamin and the folic acid, because for a while we thought I was something-deficiant, and pre-nat's have all those wonderful vitamins and stuff.
You know, I heard a rumor about different positions (in sex) helping. redface Can anyone tell me if thats fact or not?
(omg, I can't believe I'm asking.) dont be embarassed... missionary stlye is usually best and help hint from carrie(my friend whos trying) after keep your hips and legs elevated for 20 mins(pillows work well )... it helps redface well keep everything in and moving in the right direction..ok yeah i just died of embarasment as well redface blaugh one more tidbit they sell ovulation predictors...they look like pregnancy tests and usually come 5 to a box you start them around the 12-14th day of your cycle and they read the hormone levels and tell you when your ovulating they usually cost between 10-25 or you can buy a fancy digital one thatll monitor your whole cycle and can be reused with strips(it vaguely looks like a glucose meter for diabetics) they range from 65-125$ however if your having probs or want the extra help their awesome 3nodding To add to this string of comments.... I also once saw on a health show on one of those learning channels, that if you orgasm with or after him, that it helps in getting the sperm up into the uterus as well. Apparently when women orgasm, it creates a vacuum inside the v****a. If you orgasm before him though, you wouldn't get to ues that "vacuum" on the sperm. However, if you're the kind who has multiple orgasms, then it should be no problem to time them. Also, another position thatis supposed to help with conception is the C.A.T. position. It's a modified missionary position. It's basically where he is pressed right up to you and there is a minimal of thrusting. It's more of a rocking movement. I don't remember what C.A.T. stands for right off the top of my head, but I do remember that's what it's called. Maybe try looking it up on WebMD or somewhere like that to get a better idea of what it looks like. I originally saw that on Discovery Health Channel not too long ago, so something about it may be up on their web site still. I believe it was being talked about on the show Berman and Berman.
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