Ovulation Timing & Conception: Strategies When Schedules Conflict

Question
I recently got off of birth control to try to start conceiving and after charting my cycle and my upcoming cycles my husband's work schedule always shows him working when I am fertile.  (I have checked up to a year in advance) He works out of town and rarely ever changes his shift.  Is there a way to change my cycle (besides getting back on birth control) that would allow me to ovulate a couple of weeks later than I alreadly do?

Answer
There are actually medications you can take that can force ovulation. I recommend that you talk to your OBGYN about this and discuss various options for getting you to ovulate sooner. If this isn't a good option for you (as these fertility drugs can also cause multiple births), another option is for your husband to bank some of his sperm with your doctor that you can use when he is out-of-town.  Also, I'm not sure how quickly he goes out-of-town, but a woman can get pregnant anytime during her luteal phase- not just when she ovulates. Sperm also can stay viable in a woman's body for up to 5 days. So depending on how long he's gone or how quickly he goes out-of-town, you may be able to still get pregnant.

Please let me know if I can help you further or with anything else.

Best wishes,
Helen =)