Trying to Conceive, Where Do You Start?

Many people do not even know where to start if they are having difficulty conceiving, let alone have a fertility expert on hand that is going to walk them through step by step of how it is done.

You have now done the hardest part, finding someone who cares and who offers easy to use information that will help you get pregnant.

Even if you are a beginner, it doesn't matter as I start from scratch with the reproductive system and easily walk you through each step of the way!!

Part 1 - Find out when you are ovulating

If your objective is to immediately conceive, you can increase your chances if you take into consideration several factors affecting the likelihood of getting pregnant, finding the right combination of these techniques, and following them to the letter.

One of these aspects is aiming for the period during your cycle when you are the most fertile.

Similarly, if you are hoping to avoid conception, you still have to be conscious of your body's unique fertility cycle. Being well-informed of your body's biorhythm also helps you.

There are three basic fertility signs you need to monitor:

1. Basal Body Temperature (BBT);

2. cervical position; and

3. cervical secretion changes.

BBT is defined as your temperature at rest as soon as you wake up in the morning. When ovulation occurs, your BBT slightly rises, so if you'll religiously record your temperature for a few months, you will be able to determine the days when you are most fertile. This differs slightly from one individual to another.

BBT can be taken orally, rectally, or vaginally, but use only one method for one entire cycle of readings. Also try to place the thermometer in the same way each time; that is, the same depth vaginally or rectally, or at the same location in your mouth.

The average BBT, taken orally, is about 96 to 98ÚF before ovulation. Due to the release of progesterone, this rises to about 97 to 99ÚF after ovulation. The rise may either be a sudden jump or a gradual increase over several days. Sometimes the rise in BBT is a very minuscule 0.4 to 0.8 degrees only, so a BBT thermometer may be necessary.

It should also be taken at around the same time every morning. It may even be necessary to set an alarm for it, if you really want to get as close to accurate as possible. It's a good idea to stay within a half hour either side of your average time, as your temperature can considerably vary with the time.

For instance, if you usually take your BBT at 7:00 a.m., it is acceptable to take it between 6:30 to 7:30, but the closer to 7:00, the more preferable it will be. The normal difference would be up to 0.2 degrees/hour.

There are other things that may affect your BBT readings, so make it a point to be conscious of them:

§ having a fever 
§ not sleeping well 
§ smoking cigarettes the previous night 
§ drinking alcohol the previous night 
§ using an electric blanket or heating pad 
§ being stressed or becoming emotionally upset 
§ doing any activity, no matter how light, before taking a reading

(i.e., going to the bathroom or answering the phone)

To see more information about the latest Conception options available to you, please visit the review page here: How To Conceive