IUD Removal and Fertility: What to Expect After Pregnancy

Question
After I had my son, who is now five, I decided to have an IUD put in because I didn't want anymore children (17 when I had him).  Now, at 23, my husband and I have been trying unsuccessfully after I finally had the IUD removed on 12-5-06.  Should I get checked for infertility? Is he sterile? DID THE IUD DAMAGE MY UTERUS!?  I'm still young but now I feel so old and scared that I may not ever have another one.  What steps should I take?

Answer
Dear Pebbles,

If you are worried about IUD damage, you can easily go in and request an evaluation to determine if there is any damage to your uterus which would be causing an issue with fertility.

However...patience, my dear - as my mama would say. In reality, it takes couples who are actively trying to conceive an average of six months/cycles to conceive. You have only been trying through two full cycles.

Make sure that you are increasing your chances as you can. Know your fertile time... Days 11-21 are typically the most fertile days of your cycle (Day 1 being the 1st day of your period each month). Ideally, having sex every other day during that fertile window allows for any variance in your ovulation day and dramatically increases your odds. If you aren't able to do that, you should at least try to make sure that you are having sex within the few days before ovulating and your ovulation day (usually Day 14 or 15).

Paying attention to your cervical mucus will help you in knowing when you are about to ovulate. When ovulation is approaching, cervical mucus tends to become stringy and abundant, like an "egg whites" consistency. This is a signal of nature that you are fertile.

Make sure that you are not getting up right after sex. Stay lying down for 20-30 minutes (and you can even try putting a pillow under your hips too) to allow gravity to help the sperm cells get where they need to go.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I don't think you need to panic yet. If you are still having trouble after another 3-4 months, write me again and I can give you some information on ovulation kits and tracking your basal body temp. Until then - I wish you fantastic luck and will have a good thought for you!

Brenda