QuestionQUESTION: we are trying to have a baby-i recently had a iud removed in april-it is now september and still no baby. I have had fairly normal periods except that last month i had 2 periods 1st was 4days long and the 2nd was from aug 26th thru september 4th- I want to know when i will be most fertile. my husband and I have other children and don't think that infertility is an issue but can't figure out why i'm not pregnant yet. My last period seemed to last a long time. i am usually a 5 dayer and this one was nearly double! I also think that on average i am a 28-29 day cycle.we just really want to have another baby. is there something that i'm missing? please help
ANSWER: Hi Ceciley,
Women regain fertility immediately after the removal of IUD. I believe you may have had a hormonal imbalance which would be the reason for your long period. It is perfectly normal to take up to a year to conceive and unless you have any specific health problems your doctor is unlikely to recommend further investigations before this time. If you have been actively trying for over a year without success your doctor may suggest that you look into some form of fertility monitoring just as a precaution. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, avoiding alcohol and refraining from smoking (both you and your partner) will ensure that you are in the best physical health to conceive. It can also be a good idea to take a prenatal vitamins and to supplement your diet with folic acid. Fertility charting methods can be used to pin point the time in the month that you are most likely to conceive. By monitoring the fluctuations of your monthly cycle and timing intercourse accordingly you will maximise your chances of conceiving. Although it may take some time, you will get there eventually.
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QUESTION: Hello again-I am wondering how long my cycle is-should i base this number off of my last period? should we not have intercourse until around the time of max fertility(my husband will hate this part)? what about OTC ovulation predictor kits, do you recommend using . I also have started "feeling" for ovulation. I read that based on the consistency of mucus and the rigidity of your cervix you can diagnose ovulation. is this true? What exactly am I looking for?
Thank you so much for your advise!
sincerely,
Ceciley
AnswerHi Ceciley,
Yes, base your cycle length on your last period. Have as much sex as you can, it increases the chances, I recommend about 3 times a week when you are most fertile. I also recommend using ovulation predictor kits. And also charting your temperature, your basal body temperature is the baseline reading you get first thing in the morning. Once ovulation has occurred there is a surge in progesterone. Progesterone increases your body temperature as it gets your uterus ready for a fertilized egg. Which means that in the first half of the month, your temperature will be lower than it is in the second half of the month. Keep in mind that charting your temperature for one month will not enable you to predict the day you ovulate but rather give you evidence of ovulation after it has occurred. Charting your temperature over a few months, will help you to see a pattern to your cycles, enabling you to predict when ovulation will occur in future months. At the beginning of your cycle your cervix is low, hard, and closed. But as ovulation approaches, it pulls back up, softens a bit, and opens just a little, to let the sperm through. You can easily feel these changes. Check your cervix daily, using one or two fingers. The other cervical sign you can watch for is the appearance, increase in quantity, and change in consistency of cervical mucus.
