How often should we have sex around the time of ovulation?
Sperm are able to live in a woman’s reproductive tract for up to 48 hours. Around the time of ovulation, it’s important to have intercourse at least every other day. If you ovulate on cycle day 14, for example, you’d want to have sex on cycle days 10, 12, 14, and 16 in order to maximize your chances.
What can I do to maximize our chances of conception?
A healthy lifestyle is a good start. Minimize drinking, and quit smoking. Eat a balanced diet and enjoy moderate exercise. Men should follow the same guidelines, with a few extras: wear boxer shorts instead of tight-fitting underwear to allow plenty of circulation to the testicles for good sperm production. Men should steer clear of hot tubs and wear a protective cup when playing sports or riding a bicycle. It’s a good idea not to use any douches or lubricants; in the conception game, “au natural” is always best. After sex, don’t get out of bed immediately – sperm needs time to travel up the vaginal canal and through the cervix in order to do its job. If possible, just go to sleep and don’t get up until the next morning! You can also prop your behind up with a pillow to assist gravity, although it’s not necessary. And one more tip for both partners: be sure to keep even scheduled intercourse fun and stimulating.
We’ve done all this, and we’re still not pregnant. Should we seek medical help? Who do we turn to?
If you’re sure you’ve done your best to maximize your chances, and you’re still not pregnant after a year of trying (or six months if you’re over 35), it’s time to consult a medical professional. You could begin by seeing your regular OB/GYN, but the majority of infertility sufferers say they wish they had gone straight to an RE instead. An RE is a reproductive endocrinologist, a doctor who deals exclusively with infertility. OB/GYNs do see infertility patients, but they are generally not as experienced in that particular field as an RE. Most RE clinics are also open seven days a week, which can be advantageous, because ovulation doesn’t only occur on Monday through Friday! You can find a reputable RE in your area in several ways: ask your doctor to recommend someone, look in the yellow pages, go to the website for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (www.asrm.org) or call 888-623-0744 for a physician referral list produced by RESOLVE. It is worth your valuable time and money to go to someone who can get straight to the root of the problem.