Donor Insemination

When Donor Insemination is Right

It's no big secret that a large number of couples have difficulty conceiving. Significant numbers of both men and women have a problem with infertility and in America a quarter of these couples successfully conceived with the aid of donor insemination. When considering the number of fertility options couples have they know donor insemination offers them a fresh opportunity when all else fails. 

Donor Insemination When All Else Fails

Fertility clinics around the world work diligently to provide the most reliable resources to infertile couples. From ovulating charts to fertility medications and artificial insemination; all of these methods have a 60-70% success rate with couples conceiving. What's more intriguing about couples that elect donor insemination is because the latest technology used to find an ideal donor matches are more thorough, the advanced insemination process has increased chances of success.

Most often donor inseminations makes sense to couples when they've tried every method possible. Options include charting ovulation cycles and eating healthy as well as turning to fertility drugs and requiring men changing their style of underwear to increase sperm mobility and survival rates (boxers are good, briefs are bad). These methods on the other hand are for couples who have minor fertility problems that can be corrected by choosing the right time to conceive and making sure precautions are taken for sperm vitality by keeping the testicles cool and sperm mobile. Hot baths are bad. Even when these methods don't work sometimes fertility drugs are introduced to increase the chance of pregnancy. But when all these methods fail the couple may choose to look to artificial insemination options.

Statistically,70 percent of women who have no signs of infertility problems under the age of 38 are capable of achieving pregnancy through donor insemination. But of these pregnancies achieved only 30 percent of donor inseminated pregnancies go full term. Conventionally, for moderately healthy women over the age of 38 and without the aid of fertility medications reduce the 30 percent by nearly 20 percent. However, with the aid of fertility drugs given to women over the age of 38, a slight increase of 7-10 percent in successful conception is acheived.

While this is good news for many couples who desperately want a child it still leaves a large percentage of couples who will have problems conceiving regardless of the process or age. With promising new technology the number of donor inseminated births showed a low incline over the past three years but researchers are optimistic the numbers will increase by leaps and bounds in the next 3 - 5 years.

Donor insemination issues have attracted media ridicule frequently over the past decade. But since the first artificial inseminated birth, desperate couples have sought out alternative conception methods when all other methods of conceiving failed. As technology in the fertility field advances and more is learned about the human body, donor insemination will continue to give new hope to struggling couples.

In addition, donor insemination in the 21st Century has also given opportunities to single women who want a baby but not a husband. Lesbian couples who want a family and women over the age of 38 who want their last shot at motherhood make donor insemination worth trying.

Because of the potential difficulty,advantages and disadvantages should be weighed carefully before a couple spends resources considering donor insemination. Those who have successfuly inseminated pregnancies, after struggling for years to conceive naturally, consider it a dream come true.

Unfortunately, it now appears that artificially inseminated pregnancy successes have reached the point where even fertile couples may elect donor insemination instead of natural conception to genetically alter specific characteristics of the baby as opposed to couples who have no choice but to resort to donor insemination. This unfortunate outcome is considered by some a misuse of the technoogy which turns the blessing of life into a procedure slightly resembling routine cosmetic surgery.

Another draw back to donor inseminations is the probability rate of carrying baby through a full term pregnancy which varies from one woman to another. This means that some women will successfully conceive through this method but a larger number of women will not, and the reasons may vary. Fertility treatment is no cheap process and sometimes medical insurances will cover only 30 percent of fertility treatment. This makes the process slow and painful if couples supplement cost with health insurance. For this reason many couples find this choice too expensive and beyond their reach.

The biggest group of detractors who are against donor inseminations are religion driven. Many people hold to the concept that artificial births are unnatural and unhealthy. They believe in natural conceptions. This judgemental stance places moral strain on couples who may be considering donor insemination when everything else has failed. Some women are reluctant to consider donor insemination for fear of ridicule.

Research continues and more groundbreaking technology will becme available to women and couples who have tried conceiving but failed. You may find that DI is the best option for specific circumtances. Make sure to consider all the factors that can make the process a success including age, number of previous births and opting to take fertility drugs. This will increase the chances of getting pregnant and carrying the child full term. Donor insemination may have limitations that are both technological and ethical, so make sure you know all the facts.[source]

Planning Your Baby's Sex

Old Fashioned Ways to Family Plan the Details

"...And we shall raise a family.....A Boy for you... a Girl for me."  The dreams that many couples dream as they plan their families, may include hopes and preferrences of how many kids, what sex and how far apart.  Many couples embark upon the joys of parenthood unwilling to wait through a full term pregnancy not knowing their baby's sex. Thanks to the technology and the sonographers, the ability to predict is fairly accurate these days.  Just as you can see the dimple in her little chubby little cheek-just like mama's- so too his little ding a ling is usually ringing out there, clear as a bell.  While there’s a 50/50 chance to get either or boy or girl; some couples still elect to wait and be surprised.  But modern science isn't all that new.  Some old fashioned moms and dads actually found ways to influence and fertilize that little egg with just the right injection of boy making or girl making sperm!  How did they do it?

Planning Your Baby’s Sex, the Old Fashion Way

Whether you’ve had three kids already or if it’s your first, the anticipation of the baby’s sex is inevitable. From the moment a couple receives the news of a new arrival the unborn child is referred to by its preferred sex, i.e. He or She. We just don't like to think in terms of "It".  From that moment forward and throughout the pregnancy couples have tried all sorts of folk methods to predict their baby’s sex. One method requires that the woman's wedding band be made into a pendulum, the rotation of the “Wedding Band pendulum is  observed as it is held over the mother's womb. If it swings in a circle it’s a girl and if it swings in a straight line back and forward or side to side it’s a boy.

Old fashioned wives tales and folklore predictions such as this one were intended to predict sex of a child already conceived; countless others activities were intended to influence the child's sex before or at conception. In many cases the science may have been there though it was often a little far fetched.  In fact, however, some wives tales are commonly endorsed by medicine as methods to influence the conception of a boy or girl. Some non-traditional or ancient methods were used when pharaohs wanted sons to carry on their royal blood line.  They would contact ancient healers who devised remedies to influence the baby’s sex.  From astrology and birth charts to the eating of various foods and utilizing specific sexual positions, parents have attempted to tempt fate.

There are even some truly outlandish and sometimes comedic family planning methods couples have used to determine their baby’s sex. Take the full moon method as an example.  According to the folklore, the best time to conceive a boy is during a full moon and one day after. This time of month was chosen because of the strong gravitational pull on the earth and a belief that that might aid the male sperm in reaching the ovum faster. With or without research behind it, this method "worked" for a certain number of couples.

Some couples feel that they are willing to "try" anything in their desperation to control the sex of the conceived child.  Think about the couple with five boys wanting a girl or visa versa.  The couples’ desperation can lead them to go to great lengths. One of the most popular methods is adhering to certain sexual positions to influence conception of a male or female child.   But wait, this one has science behind it!

It seems, certain sexual positions allow for a deeper penetration and are widely recommended for producing a boy while it is said that more shallow penetration produces girls. Medical findings concluded that the Y sperm that carries the male gene is stronger however slower with a short life span, therefore deeper penetrations allow more Y sperm to reach the ovum more quickly, before they die, hence increasing the chances of a boy. On the other hand missionary positions are for conceiving a girl since the faster X sperm is able to reach the ovum first.  (Girl sperm are faster.  Get that!)

An even more astounding old fashion way of planning your baby’s sex that is also supported by medical evidence is based upon the type of underwear the man wears. While medical evidence supports the fact that loose underwear like boxers as opposed to briefs not only increase male sperm count but also contribute to the sex of the baby being male. Another bit of folklore holds that the cooler the sperm the greater chance the Y sperm will survive long enough to reach the ovum while warmer conditions kill more Y sperm leaving the X sperm to produce girl babies.  Again, girl producing sperm are considered to be more durable and viable.

For couples who are trying to find the most economical method to plan the sex of a baby advice abounds on the internet.  And the ancient methods are still being employed by some, including the Chinese prediction chart which compares the mother's and father’s birthdates and thereby predicts the ideal time to conceive a boy or girl.  Then there is the the farmer’s almanac method, which uses the seasons and times of the month to plan your baby’s sex.   Well it can't hurt to try!  Science or not.[source]

Genetically Engineer Your Baby

Cutting Edge Baby Making

"Can We Really? Make Sure It's a He?  And His Eyes Will Be Green, Like Mine?  And He Won't Be Bald at 32, Like Daddy?"  News of late is not so much can you genetically engineer your baby but should you genetically alter your unborn child. The idea is devisive among scientists and theologians who have been weighing in along with medical professionals.  They include those who see the hopeful possibility of erradicating within their livetime, some untreatable diseases in our population and those who fear that humans are not ethically capable of making choices that should be left to divine, god or God rule.  The arguments range from silly to serious and so far they are in theory.  But this may soon change.  We are at best and a nation divided on the concept of choice.  And the opportunity to reengineering your baby genetically in the future may take on a whole new meaning.  Research has alredy produced in the mammal world such an ability.  Curently rats and monkies have been altered genetically for medical test purposes.

Genetically Engineer Your Baby?

The arguments range from silly to serious and so far they are in theory.  But this may soon change.  We are at best and a nation divided on the concept of choice.  And the opportunity to reengineering your baby genetically in the future may take on a whole new meaning.  Research has alredy produced in the mammal world such an ability.  Curently rats and monkies have been altered genetically for medical test purposes.

Cutting edge baby making technology of the 21st century has not only given couples the option to conceive a child outside the womb but also has given them hope to one day genetically engineer baby characteristics. Make sure it’s a boy is a common request couples would desire while other couples want to make sure the child has the parents eye color or free from male pattern baldness when the baby is older. Among other reasons parents may elect genetic alterations for future baby’s to ensure the child is athletic or musically inclined. But should people play with the gene pool to get the ideal child? This is the question that is up for constant debate.

Without question opting to alter the gene pool of future babies’ leaves room for ethical debate and the choices to genetically engineer a baby to suit the parents may seem superficial on the surface but there is an upside to gene alterations that may prove genetic altering technology has a deeper purpose than customizing a baby. Considering the number of babies born each year with debilitating deformities, hereditary diseases and other birth defects; genetic altering can be the answer to the correction of these aliments before the baby is born and produce healthier babies overall.

But at what cost do we consider miracle technology like genetic engineering a change to change the way the baby will look, how smart he'll be, if he will be athletic or a musical prodigy. Sounds like people are taking this modern medicine miracle to higher heights by trying to genetically creating a more advance human race. What happen to good ole fashions surprises and where does this leave couples who enjoy the gift God has given them instead of the parents’ preference? This is where the debate of whether parents should tamper with gene alterations to create a customized child is at its strongest.

Sure it’s ok to consider gene altered babies if there are physical factors such as birth defects, blindness, deafness or even hereditary trait alterations for babies that would be born with diseases that limit the child from living a normal life. But to consider genetically engineering your child because you want them to have curly hair as oppose to straight hair or green eyes instead of brown shifts the demand for genetic altering practices to create more cutting edge technology. Maybe we’re jumping ahead of ourselves with considering cutting edge technology of today to technology in the future that will make genetically engineered babies to suit the expectations of the parents and society.

This raises the question on how geneticist proposes to perform life altering genetic engineering. The approaches currently on the table consist of cloning which is surrounded by moral debate, somatic cell manipulation that is praised for its disease altering cures and Human germline manipulation. Each method serves a human purpose to genetically change a future outcome whether positive or negative.

Cloning is the process where a specific cell is duplicated in the exact likeness of the host cell. In the case of parents that want their child to resemble themselves opting to cloning may be the answer. However this technology has only been tried on sheep and geneticist are unsure of the outcome on humans. Still researchers are optimistic about human cloning trials even with social implication holding this study at bay.

A Somatic Cell Manipulation is the process in which specific hereditary traits are not passed on through DNA to the next generation. This is the primary process of gene therapy where researches try to correct an imperfection in human cell to cure medical conditions rather than prescribing drugs. This type of gene altering method may be ideal for patients that suffer from sickle cell, hemophilia or autoimmune diseases. While this method is still under scrutiny and research is still being conducted, geneticists believe the method will cure hundreds of unborn babies at risk of certain conditions covered by gene therapy.

Human germline manipulation on the other hand is where the real controversy lies, human germline manipulations is a form of genetic engineering that involves altering the sperm and ovum during conception. Here is where couples would be able to change the way their baby looks or remove hereditary traits that a parent may find undesirable. While this type of gene altering baby making technology may seem quite vain and well into the future of genetic medicine it’s an option many couples are considering.

Even with the controversy surrounding genetic engineering to cure diseases, deformities and birth defects during the gestation period or at the time of conception it will be a while before society accepts the new technology as a cure to incurable conditions. Leaving genetically engineered characteristics of future baby’s further down the futuristic timeline.[source]

Early Pregnancy Tests

When You Need to Know

Once upon a time when a woman thought she might be pregnant the fast and easy way to find out was having blood drawn and a three day wait. Now with early pregnancy tests technology and the ability to identify hormonal changes found in the woman’s urine. Today’s fast and easy  PG tests can be done at home and detect these hormones days before the first missed period.
 
Early Pregnancy Tests, Fast and Easy

From old wives tales that predicted pregnancy to the technologically advanced home pregnancy tests women have had the need to confirm as soon as possible when and if they are pregnant. Whether it’s a blood test such as in the past or the more modern methods of urine testing, today's tests are faster, easier and detect pregnancy earlier than ever before. Looking at the evolution of the home pregnancy test you’ll find that today’s early detection pregnancy test is much more efficient, accurate and cost effective.

The first pregnancy test used by doctors consisted of a urine sample in a little cup. Pretty messy! And it took about an hour to confirm pregnancy but depending on how many missed periods the test could reveal the answer in half an hour if you were lucky enough to have a doctor with a lab tech in the office. The problem with this is women had to miss at least two periods in order for the test to work properly and by the time pregnancy was confirmed expectant mothers were nearing their second trimesters.

Thankfully pregnancy detection tests advanced in technology and the cups turned into strips and wait time was reduced to 30 minutes. Not bad! But telling between the color changes made reading the test strips difficult and frequently gave inaccurate readings or false positive or negative. “Image That!” This spawned new early pregnancy tests developers to include stricter instructions on how to produce more accurate results such as taking the tests in the morning when the substances being tested for were more bioavailale in the urine and therefore gave a more dependable and quick reading.  Even though the wait time was lessened, the earliest the test could detect positive or negative was at least two weeks past the first missed period.

21st century home early pregnancy tests offer fast reliable results in as early as several days before your missed period. Talk about fast! These lighting fast and easy pregnancy tests have evolved to offer the general public the ease of testing at home.  They incorporate a neater collection process and if you are worried about misreading the results there’s even a talking home pregnancy test. A pregnancy test that takes the phrase “Please tell me if I'm pregnant” literally!

Technology at its finest has not only developed a talking test but a digital pregnancy test that digitally displayed results. What more could you ask for, no more guessing and retesting, problem solved? Right? Wrong.  Even talking or digital pregnancy tests can be inaccurate if done without regard for the instructions or if attempted at the wrong time. They can also be quite expensive and yet women are willing to pay when they detect pregnancy within days before a missed menstrual cycle.

The good news is today’s cutting edge technology has made home pregnancy testing more accurate and convenient. The focus of this new PG test technology uses monoclonal antibodies that detect specific hormones only found in the urine during pregnancy. These hormones are known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Sometimes hCG can be detected by these advance home PG test at a low level and a short time following conception. This means women can find out if their pregnant within a couple of weeks after conception and most often days before a missed cycle.

If that’s not enough, this new technology can be found in most early detection home pregnancy test at reasonable prices. Most often brand name pregnancy tests can be found at the local drug store, super market, pharmacies and did you know that you can even get a budget  conscious  early pregnancy test kit at the 99cent store? Talk about cheap. It always best to shop around for Home PG test to find the best prices but in many locations name brand tests can be purchased for less than $20 dollars.

The best part about the home pregnancy test of today is getting accurate results fast. Now PG tests can let an expecting mother know in less than 10 minutes if she is or isn't. Although most name brand home pregnancy test recommend that the best results take 10 minutes maximum and are more reliable than the other PG test that claim results in 1-5 minutes.

The one thing that has changed with home pregnancy test technology is the messy method of collecting urine. Modern home pregnancy tests employ easy grip applicators with testing strip at the end of the applicator and protective cap. This makes the urine collecting process less messy and convenient. Because the test strip is placed in the stream of urine using an applicator rather than your hand and a cup/ In addition, the test strip is saturated with the monoclonal antibodies that will react to the presence of HCG in urine makeing the waiting time convenient. Consumer Reports recommends this type of PG test as the best in detecting hCG with quicker more accurate results. Results may appear in the first few minutes, however it’s recommended to give the process at least 10 minutes more for more conclusive accuracy.

No one can deny fast and easy pregnancy tests of today have truly evolved from our older methods. Women can now find out if they are pregnant n as litle as days after conception with quick reliable results.  All this from an over-the-counter home pregnancy test for less than $20 dollars. That’s cheaper than some medical insurance co-payments. Talk about a revolutionary, practical and economic way to detect pregnancy.[source]

Conception After Miscarriage

Conception after MiscarriageThe loss of a child, even when it is still developing in the womb, is one the most difficult losses to come to terms with.  Conception after miscarriage shouldn't be your first thought.  Your body and heart need to recover from the pain.  Mourning is natural.  There is always a feeling that you did something wrong, that it was your fault, even though the fact is that miscarriages are very common.  They happen in about 15-20 percent of pregnancies.  Once you and your partner have both agreed that the time has come to consider conception aagain, after miscarriage; first make sure that, your doctor has given you the okay and, second, make sure you are ready and you are relaxed.  Stress is one of the major causes of not getting pregnant after miscarriage.  Don't try too hard—let it happen naturally.

Recovering after a miscarriage

The most important thing to do is seek advice from your health care provider concerning conception after miscarriage.  Your doctor will monitor your physical well-being and advise you about fertility after miscarriage.  All the experts agree that your fertility levels after a miscarriage will not decrease; once you have your first period your fertility levels should return to normal.  The only exception to the chance of pregnancy after miscarriage is if you are over 35 and have had two previous miscarriages.  You may then benefit from consulting with specialists as you look forward to planning another pregnancy.

• Periods should return, at the latest, in six weeks; in the meantime be gentle with yourself.
• For your first period, use sanitary pads; tampons may be used for subsequent periods.
• Avoid sexual intercourse until your health care professional feels you have healed.
• Abdominal pain is normal after a miscarriage.  If it persists for longer than a few days however, consult your doctor.
• If possible, have a shower rather than bathe frequently for the first week or so.
• Avoid jacuzzis, spas and swimming pools until you feel you are back to normal.
• Your daily routine can return to normal as soon as you feel well enough.  However any vigorous activities or sports should resume only after consulting with your doctor.

Ready to try again

While you are recovering and thinking about conception after miscarriage, use this time to strengthen your body.  Take a folic acid supplement and maintain a good diet.  The importance of a healthy, balance diet cannot be underestimated.  Not only is it extremely good for you, but most experts agree that your newborn will "taste" your breast milk (which is best).  When your little bundle of joy starts to eat, he/she will accept vegetables and fruits more easily.  It may seem obvious but, for you and your baby, stop smoking, drinking and taking non-prescribed drugs.  Even though there is divided opinion, cut out caffeine in order to increase your chances of getting pregnant after miscarriage.

Looking Forward

The majority of women, even after several miscarriages, go on to have healthy babies.  Having no history of miscarriages, you have an 80 to 85 percent chance of conceiving.  If you have had one miscarriage, the percentage is still 80 percent; with two miscarriages, it's 72 percent.  Even after many miscarriages, you still have a 50 percent chance of getting pregnant after miscarriage.[source]

Secondary Infertility

How Do You Know If Secondary Infertility Problems are Impacting You?

Anytime the thought of being unable to conceive creeps into the minds of a couple it can be quietly traumatic.  No one is prepared to deal with the fact that there may be an issue regarding conceiving a much wanted child.  During those times the couple may experience stress and anxiety in trying to determine and treat the causes of infertility.  It can be even more confusing and frustrating in the case of secondary infertility.  Many couples have a harder time grasping the possibility of secondary infertility in their relationship.  In either case, infertility is not an easy issue to wrap your head around.   What is it? Why is it?  And what can I do about secondary infertility?

What Is Secondary Infertility?

A couple who is diagnosed with secondary infertility is given that diagnosis because:

• At least one of the two partners and possibly both have previously conceived at least once prior to the latest attempt.
• The couple has been partaking in unprotected intercourse for at least a year.
• The couple has been having intercourse during ovulation, the most fertile times for the woman without success.

If the couple meets these prerequisites for at least twelve consecutive months they mayt be diagnosed as exhibiting secondary infertility.   For this couple one of the most difficult aspects to accept is the fact of this unexpected infertility.  Since they (at least one of them) had conceived in the past it is often difficult to accept that they might be infertile now.

So what are some of the causes of infertility?  The causes can be as diverse as the couple.  First it is important to note that in 40% of the cases the issue is with the woman, in 40% of the cases it is with the man and the other 20% are undetermined.  For men some of the primary reasons for infertility include low sperm count, masturbating on off days which reduces the sperm for intercourse, testicular issues including cancer, and stress.  Although these are the main issues for male infertility, they are not the only ones.

In the case of women the primary causes for infertility include tubular blockage, irregular ovulation which gets less predictable with age, endometriosis, weight ( low or high), increased age (7 of 10 women over the age of 40 are infertile) , hormones and of course, stress.  For both women and men overall health is a contributor as is diet and well being.

There are things that the couple can do to address this issue.  First of all make sure you have consulted with a doctor if the problem has persisted over a long period of time and you have followed all the guidelines above (unprotected, timed intercourse).  Additionally there are many other tips to consider.

As with anything in the health arena, couples need to find a way to limit their stress.  Stress is such huge health issue and infertility is no different.  It will impact a couples' ability to conceive.  Make sure you know how to tell when ovulation is occurring.  There are over the counter kits you can purchase to help you get it right.

Some suggestions you may hear from your doctor include the same ones you're given with any physical checkup which includse stop smoking, limit drinking, exercise, eat right and get plenty of sleep.  They may sound cliché but the fact is you need to be watching your health and well being for any number of reasons and this is one of them. Check your caffeine intake and watch your weight.  And yes, men should wear loose fitting breifs or boxers, it's not just an old wives tale.  Sperm count recedes when heat is applied.

Most importantly don't give up on each other or your dream.  There are many solutions to the majority of infertility issues.  Start with the lifestyle changes mentioned above and get your doctor involved.  When the first line offence fails to affect fertilitym there are many medical solutions that can be taken into consideration.[source]

Male Infertility

Male Infertility Can Be Treated When Diagnosed Correctly

For decades, when a couple presented as infertile it was expected that the problem would be a female issue.  It was assumed that the woman needed to be checked out and treated. In fact men weren't even looked at medically as it was historically assumed that if a male could ejaculate, he  had no reproductive issues.  Now, through science and research we know better and when couples are having difficulty conceiving both partners are routinely checked out for potential infertility concerns. The likelihood and incidence of male infertility is about the same as female infertility.  Armed with this knowledge couples along with their medical professionals can now approach the problem on both fronts to come up with solutions.

Many Causes of Male Infertility Are Reversible

There are many causes of male infertility. Some of the causes are quite simple and are just lifestyle changes; some are more complex and might need medical attention. The good news is that there are appropriate tests for males which will pinpoint the area of concern, if there is one, so it can then be dealt with medically or in whatever manner makes sense.

For men the number one issue which impacts infertility is called varicose. In simplified terms this condition involves the veins around the scrotum becoming larger. This increase in size throws off the temperature control which impacts the sperm. Any deviation from the normal temperature will impact the health of the sperm and will impact the ability to conceive. The second biggest reason for male infertility is a blockage. This blockage is a primary contributor to the men who have no sperm count at all.

Additional causes of male infertility include defective sperm in size or shape, drug or alcohol abuse and smoking. All of these contribute to the sperm becoming defective. Also strenuous riding of either a bicycle or a horse can contribute to infertility. Low sperm counts as well as a complete lack of sperm are also causes. It is important to note that 40 to 50% of all infertile couples are impacted by a male infertility issue. It is not as rare as people still believe.

There are a series of tests as well as treatments that can address these infertility issues. From drug treatments to surgery and everything in between, there are options. A recent test trial was just completed which combined antioxidants and hormones and the results were extremely favorable in the amount and quality of sperm produced compared to the control group.   At this time even more treatments are being studied to address this issue.

So is there any way to avoid male infertility? In some cases yes and in some cases no. There are definitely some steps to take that will be helpful for you and if nothing else, healthy for you also. The best recourse is having regular physicals with your doctor. Additionally, it is recommended that men wear loose under wear. While trying to get pregnant the male should avoid the hot tub or hot baths, limit alcohol and completely stop smoking and all drugs. Alcohol, drugs and smoking all impact the shape, size and volume of sperm. Lastly, avoid excessive exercise and of course steroids.

Male infertility might be a difficult subject and difficult to deal with but with all the advances in medicine it is actually one that can usually be handled. The sooner you identify the concern and begin to get tested for potential issues, the sooner you and your partner can try to conceive once again.[source]

Determining Fertile Days

Ready, Set,  Go:  It's What Family Planning Is All About

Deciding to have a family is one of the most exciting times of any woman's life, but did you know that despite all good intentions nearly 90% of couples take more than one year to reach pregnancy? Determining fertile days is the most important factor when trying to get pregnant.  Let's look at a few conceiving tips that will be likely to assist in you having to miss the mark for too long. It's all simply a matter of getting the timing right. So come on; let's examine the days when you are most fertile as opposed to the least fertile days. 

Taking the Steps Toward Pregnancy:  Know Your Body

First of all you need to work out the length of your menstrual cycle which can differ although twenty eight days is thought to be standard. Your cycle is counted from the first day of one cycle to the start of the next one.

When is a Woman Most Fertile?

A woman is most fertile about five days before ovulation. So, when is that you ask?  And what should you do you do about it?  Simple animal inscinct, right?  Ovulation occurs about 14 days prior to the start of your menstrual period and this is the time that you need to have plenty of sexual intercourse. Tell your partner he's got five days where you can both go at it like newlyweds.  That news will certainly put a smile on his face!  If only it was that simple.

Determining fertile days isn't as straight forward as you may think because no two women have the same menstrual cycle and more often than not you cycle may vary depending upon many factors. It is usually somewhere around the middle of your menstrual cycle though. The best way to precisely pinpoint the most fertile days in your cycle are to keep a detailed record in which you confirm the days of your actual period and the days of ovulation on an ovulation calendar. It may be difficult to work out the actual ovulation days as you may only have ovulation symptoms for one or two days.

A fertility ovulation chart is the best method to keep track of your periods and which days you ovulate. This will make it easier to work out when you are most fertile. You can purchase an ovulation calculator from most pharmacies or online which is helpful.

Measuring your body temperature is another method of calculating ovulation. You will need to purchase a basal body temperature thermometer and a chart. You must record your temperature first thing every morning without fail, and you will notice that it rise a few days around your fertile time. Your most fertile days are just prior this rise in temperature but you will need to keep track for several months to get a pattern.

Another way to know roughly when ovulation will occur is by observing the mucous in the vagina that is secreted from the cervix just prior to ovulation. The mucus is white or clear, as well as thinner and more stretchy than usual at this time. During ovulation the vagina is even wetter and the mucus thins further. After ovulation when the cycle returns to normal with a noticeable decrease in vaginal wetness and the mucus becomes thicker or vanishes completely until the following cycle.  It's all about working with Mother Nature.

Once you've worked out which are your most fertile days, then it's a matter of relaxing and staying as calm and relaxed about getting pregnant as possible.  More often than not, the pressure of trying too hard to get pregnant is what prevents many couples from conceiving.[source]

Signs and Symptoms of Ovulation

Trying To Get Pregnant? Want To Know When You Are Most Fertile?

Well, you can do this by looking for the specific signs and symptoms of ovulation. The signs of ovulation are not always obvious, but there are few small indications that you can look for to know whether or not you are ovulating. With these symptoms of ovulation you can work out the exact period that you will be at your most fertile.

The most basic method, although not always accurate, is to simply count the days in your cycle. The time when you ovulate will be about 14 days after the start of your period. The signs of ovulation will increase during this time, and end about 12 to 48 hours after ovulation occurs.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Ovulation to Work With Nature

Ovulation is when a fertile egg is released from your an ovary. This makes its way down to your uterus, and if it is not fertilized within 12 to 48 hours it will start to disintegrate and later be expelled from your body during menstruation. Looking for the symptoms of ovulation you can predict this 12 to 48 hour window, which is the time in your cycle that you are the most fertile and ready to conceive.

Going back to the counting method, you can easily work out when you will ovulate by calculating the number of days in your cycle, from the start of one menstruation to the start of the next. For the majority of women, this is around 28 days. For a 28 day cycle, the day of ovulation will be around day 14. This will vary of course, as each woman is different. Factors including stress, fatigue, and illness can also affect the cycle.

Other ovulation signs and symptoms to look for include basal body temperature monitoring and monitoring the cervical mucous. With the basal body temperature method you can work out when you are ovulating by looking for a rise in body temperature of about 0.4 to 0.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Your temperature should be taken before you get out of bed in the mornings (even before you go to the bathroom). This will ensure that the readings are as accurate as possible. Each day the temperature taken should be filled in on a chart, with day one of the chart being the first day of your period. After a few months you will be able to see a pattern that can help you find out when you are most likely to be ovulating

The most reliable signs and symptoms of ovulation for the current cycle you are on, is to check your cervical mucous. The amount of discharge you excrete is different at different times in your cycle. For example, just after your period, your cervix will be dry and there will be no, or very little cervical mucous. Women are not normally able to conceive at this time. As your cycle renews, so your cervical mucous starts to increase due to the various hormones in your body. As it increases it also becomes thinner and changes from creamy white to almost clear. Using your fingers to take a sample from your cervix you should stretch the mucous between two fingers. If it does not break or stretches several centimeters before breaking, then you are ovulating. Sperm are able to survive longer in this stage of the cervical mucous (up to 72 hours).

These are the main ovulation signs that you can use to find out when you are at the height of your fertile stage and ready to fall pregnant.  Good luck and don't forget to have fun trying.  Give it your all and allow the outcome.[source]

Hoping You Have Concieved?  What are All Those Little Signs?
How can you tell when you are pregnant? Those moments between intercourse and discovering if you have conceived are some of the most thrilling, nerve wracking days a woman can have in her life. The desire to have a child is a strong pull for many and the hope of success is often all consuming and pervasive for a couple who is hoping for conception. There are many early signs of conception that couples can be on the lookout for as they wait to find out if they have been successful. Upon conception each woman has her own bodily reactions and symptoms of conception. However, there are quite a few symptoms that are common for all when successful conception occurs.

Early Signs of Conception

One of the most prevalent early signs of conception is the likely chance of having light spotting. This can occur very early after concieving (about a week or ten days). The reason this is such a common symptom helping to signal that you are pregnant, is that it is even occurring in the first place. Early spotting will usually occur when the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. Since this has to happen for all successful conceptions, it occurs very often for most women. Of course along with this is the likelihood of missing your cycle date. Most women look to missing a period as the ultimate sign of conceiving. When you conceive your body shuts down that biorhythm and keeps it pretty much shut down until after childbirth. With little exception these two are the first notable change after conceiving.

When conception occurs, (woman to woman, I can promise you this is a biggie!) also within the first week to ten days, you will also notice that you tend to urinate more following impregnation more than you did prior. Your body's hormones go into overdrive very quickly are conceiving in order to start gearing your body up for what is going to occur over the next nine or so months. So your hormones are a bit out of whack, the increased urination is just one of the results of these hormone changes. Indeed, after conceiving the change in hormones will impact many other aspects of your life and your body.

Normally after ovulation your body temperature tends to run high, when conception occurs your temperature might stay elevated. This is different than normal, normally your body temperature would return back to average levels, when you conceive it will stay elevated and might stay higher for a while when you conceive.

Along with the light spotting sign of conception which will likely occur, do not be surprised if it is also accompanied by some post conceptions cramping which can be uncomfortable for some women. This is again because the embryo is attaching to the uterine wall, this attachment tends to cause cramping and a little discomfort which will abate quickly (a few days).

There are additional early signs of conception. Almost half of the women who get pregnant get nauseous in their first trimester. The body is absorbing so many new intakes, the hormones are going a bit crazy, you're probably eating some strange things because of cravings and in general the body just reacts with a queasy stomach. This is a first trimester symptom and tends to disappear. Some women feel nauseous much early than others and it really up to the individual when it will or won't occur.

Other first trimester symptoms  of conception include those food cravings mentions above as well as food aversions. The body begins to desire different foods, often times ones that you did not like before. Conversely, some foods that you use to love you won't be able to look at for a while. Additionally, after conceiving you will find that you will experience some mood swings (don't worry if you don't notice someone is sure to point it out to you!). Many of the early signs of conception are caused by the hormone changes that your body is going through. When your body gets adjusted to the influx of hormonal changes, all of these earlier symptoms tend to disappear.

Lastly there are a few other unusual hints of conception which include breast or nipple tenderness, darkening of the area around the nipples, bowel movement difficulties and fatigue. The severity of these symptoms will differ from woman to woman. There are many early signs of conception. Once you have experienced some of them there are many ways to verify whether or not you are pregnant. An over the counter pregnancy kit is the best and fastest way, followed by a visit to the doctor if the test comes back positive.  Then you will know that you have conceived![source]