Trying To Concieve

For many couples trying to conceive is a joyful and fun process. It is also a journey, one that is sometimes riddled with complications and problems. Many couples including those faced with infertility find that trying to conceive is often a battle that is fiercely overcome after months of strenuous effort and challenges.

Fortunately many couples that are trying to conceive will realize success at some point or another. For couples that are faced with infertility, there are multiple approaches to overcoming infertility challenges. These include natural or traditional therapies and more invasive or assisted reproductive technologies.

Natural Approaches to Conceiving

There are many natural approaches to conceiving. These include fertility charting or tracking. One of the simplest methods for determining your odds of conceiving includes tracking your ovulation. Tracking ovulation helps you determine the best times to have intercourse to improve your odds of conception.

Tracking ovulation involves testing your basal body temperature. This is your temperature taken first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed. Generally you will have to sleep for at least three hours to get an accurate reading. Most women's temperature raises up to 1.6 degrees just after ovulation. If you track your cycles for several months you will start to notice patterns and are better able to predict the times you are most likely to be fertile.

There are many other signs of increasing fertility. These include cervical mucous changes. Women who are approaching ovulation will often produce more abundant cervical mucous. The quality and texture of cervical mucous also changes. Fertile mucous is often clear, stretchy and resembles egg whites. Many women find they are able to stretch their cervical mucous between their fingers around the times they are most fertile.

Cervical position may also indicate when a woman is most likely to conceive. During non fertile times of a woman's cycle, the cervix is usually resting low in the vagina. During or around the time of ovulation however the cervix rises and softens to prepare for conception and ovulation. Most women find however it takes a bit of practice to identify cervical position changes during their cycles. Like charting, you may find it takes a few tries before you accurately identify your cervical position at any given time during your cycle.

Assisted Reproduction

If you are younger than 35 and have been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for more than a year, or 35 and older and have been trying for six months or more, you might consider seeking the advice of a fertility specialist. There may be other factors contributing to your infertility or inability to conceive.

Most doctors will recommend a full health physical and examination to rule out various physical and genetic causes of infertility. STD's and even stress may impact your ability to conceive, so your doctor will be able to cover your lifestyle and habits to identify any factors that may be contributing to your infertility.

There are many treatments available for women who are infertile and couples experiencing infertility due to male factors. Less invasive measures for improving fertility include use of prescription medications like Clomid. Clomid helps regulate ovulation and can extend a luteal phase that is too short. It may also stimulate ovaries to produce more than one egg, which may lead to a multiple pregnancy.

More invasive and often expensive treatments include IVF or intrauterine insemination. These options are often relied on as a last resort for couples experiencing infertility. If you are having trouble conceiving it is important you consult with your doctor so together you can decide the best course of action.