for several months prior to wanting to
conceive, you need to track your length of
menstrual cycle. Whether 24 or 32 days,
it doesn't matter regarding fertility, it
just helps with planning. Besides the
easiest way to determine ovulation, which
is with an ovulation predictor kit, you
can also count backwards by 14 days from
your period and that is a close
approximation to your ovulation date. So
in a 32 day cycle, that would be day 18.
This information is then useful in
subsequent months.
Now for some more facts and more planning.
The date of ovulation has a small
variation with each menstrual cycle. The
hormone called lh (leutenizing hormone) is
what triggers ovulation and helps prepare
the lining of the endometrium for
implantation. Many infertility concepts
are based on tracking the lh surge, since
this heralds the release of the egg, and
is your fertile period. The average egg
lives only 24 hours, so it needs to be
quickly after its release from the ovary.
If an ova is to be fertilized, it is
usually within 12 hours of ovulation, so
the sperm must be ready. The average male
ejaculate contains 200-300 million sperm,
60-90% are physically normal -- fewer than
200 of these sperm even get close to the
egg, and only one sperm fertilizes the
single egg released at ovulation. Sperm
can live up to 72 hours once ejaculated.
Sometimes the egg is found within 45
minutes for fertilization, while sometimes
it can take as long as 12 hours. If the
egg isn't yet released from the ovary, it
is thought that the sperm can go into a
holding pattern for about 24-48 hours
while awaiting release of the egg.
In general, if conception is going to
happen in any given cycle, it will
probably be within the first few hours
after intercourse. The plan of attack to
achieve pregnancy is to have intercourse
starting every other day after the
completion of your period. This would
assume with a seven day period,
intercourse would take place on days 9,
11, 13, 15, and 17. Normally you can rest
assured that this method best increases
your chances for pregnancy in any given
cycle, barring any other factors
suggesting either a male or female factor
preventing pregnancy to easily occur.
Best of luck trying, and remember -- try
to have fun!
Jane forester
family physician
glencoe, illinois
|
SaraharaS
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Schenectady, NY
Posted: 08-17-04 07:16am
Thanks for the info :d
|
wilsonwoman28
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Ohio
Nervous Posted: 08-25-04 09:22am
I am 17 years old. I on birth control and
have been for about 6 months. I have had
sex about 20 times with my boyfriend and
we always use a condom. If we don't he
pulls out way, way, way before he even
comes close to finishing because he is
very protective. I decided this month not
to take the last week of pills since they
mean nothing and I haven't had my period
yet, should I be nervous?
|
bellax0x
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 3572 Location: Jersey Baby!
Posted: 08-25-04 09:35am
No, you should be ok. The last pills are
not important. Wait until your period is
about a week late and then take an hpt.
Good luck!
<3
gaby
|
Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 08-25-04 15:11pm
Depends on what pill you take.
Most have a week (7) dud/false pills and
with these you should be ok.
When I was on the pill I couldn't have the
"normal" ones and so had the "mini pill"
which has to be taken every single day non
stop and if you miss a week of these you
will probably be in trouble.
Even if your boyfriend pulls out after one
or two strokes, there is still a chance of
pre-cum being on the end of his willy.
This can get you pregnant (if not on birth
control), nearly every erect penis will
have some pre-cum on it. Not always but
often this can contain a small amount of
sperm, and a small amount is all it takes.
