• Alcohol Consumption

• Am I Pregnant?

• Back Pain

• Belly Issues

• Birth Control

• Bleeding

• Body Odors

• Breast Changes

• Breast Feeding

• Calculating Conception / Due Dates

• Cancer

• Cervical Cerclage

• Cesarean Sections

• Chronic Health Problems

• Cigarette Smoking

• Constipation, Diarrhea & Gas

• Contractions

• Cotton Mouth

• Diet & Exercise

• Drug Use

• Ectopic Pregnancy

• Edema / Swelling

• Epidurals

• Fatigue

• Fertility Drugs

• Fetal Movement

• Genetics

• Gestational Diabetes

• Getting Pregnant

• Hair

• Harmful to the Fetus?

• Heartburn

• Heightened Thermostat

• Hemorrhoids

• Horror-monal Hysteria

• Hysterical Husbands & Partners

• Incompetent Cervix

• IVF (Invitro Fertilization)

• Labor
• Leg Issues

• Maternity Leave

• Medications

• Miscarriage

• Miscellaneous

• Morning Sickness

• Nesting

• Paternity

• Placenta Previa

• Placental Abruption

• Postpartum Depression

• Post-Pregnancy Issues

• Premature Labor

• Pre-Menopause

• Prenatal Testing

• Pregnancy Symptoms?

• Rh Factor

• Sex, Orgasms & Masturbation

• Single Parenting

• Skin Changes

• Sleep Deprivation

• STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)

• Teen Pregnancy

• Tilted Cervix

• Unknown Pregnancy

• Unwanted Advice, Comments & Touching

• Uterine Cramps & Pains

• UTI (Urinary Tract Infections)

• Vaginal Discharge

• Vaginal Pain

• Vaginal Swelling

• Vaginal Tears

• Varicose Veins

• VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

• Weight Gain

• Worries During Delivery

• Yeast & Bacterial Infections

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Getting Pregnant

Q. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for seven months. He fathered a pregnancy before and, as far as I know, there is nothing physically wrong with me. I don't even have an allergy! I know I am ovulating. Is this a normal length of time for trying to conceive? It seems like most people I know got pregnant so easily.
-Anonymous, North Carolina

A. Some couples become pregnant without ever really "trying" while others take years to conceive.

I, too, fell into the latter category and thought I might never become pregnant. (It took over a year!) In fact, the week I had my husband scheduled for a sperm analysis we got pregnant. Lucky him! (When you are concerned about fertility issues, usually the male's sperm is tested first, as the fertility tests for women are much more involved.)

I'm sure you know by now that "trying" can become tedious and even stressful at times. Copulation-on-command is quite a feat. Everyone says the best thing to do is relax and forget about it. Ha! I don't know about you, but I spent many nights with my pelvis elevated by pillows, blood rushing to my head and a constant chant droning in my head, "Go sperm, go!" Far from relaxing, I assure you!

But, here I am, giving you that same advice: try to relax and forget about it. You may get pregnant when you least expect it. I became pregnant when I finally gave up my monthly obsession with the ovulation pee stick.

Q. After the birth of my second child, we decided that it would be best for me to go on the Depo-Provera birth control shot. I had no complications (except weight gain) and I was on it for three and a half years. We decided that we would like to try for one more baby, so I went off the Depo-Provera last year. We have been “really” trying for about five months now, but with no luck. Is it too soon? Is this common after being on the shot?
-Roseanne, Kentucky

A. While some women can get pregnant just a few months after stopping Depo-Provera, most take six to 12 months to become fertile again. If you've been on it for a few years it may take longer for the drug to leave your system. If you've been having normal periods and ovulating regularly (you can check with a home ovulation test) for six months or more, you may want to try “really, really hard" before consulting your doctor. See the "trying really hard" question for more details.

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Q. I have been trying to conceive a baby with no luck. I'm wondering if my weak bladder is the problem. After intercourse I get a strong sensation to use the bathroom. I am trying my best to keep it in for as long as possible (usually one hour max). How long should I wait after intercourse to use the bathroom? Will all the sperm escape once I do?
-Anonymous, New York

A. Urinating after sex doesn't push out all of the sperm, but quite a bit does seep out, mostly due to gravity. It's too bad we can't pee while standing on our heads.

On the evenings when you are ovulating and plan on trying to get pregnant, you might try to drink fewer fluids than normal and empty out your bladder just before sex. Also see "the best sperm meet egg formula" question.

Q. I have not had a period since September 2002. I went back on birth control pills (Aviane) around that time and was told by my OB/GYN that it was okay if I did not have a period while I was on a BCP. I took my last pill on October 11, 2003 and have not had a period since then. On November 15 I had cramps, a backache and felt slightly nauseous, but experienced no bleeding. On December 10/11 I've had the same symptoms but still no bleeding. I've never been one to have cramps, and when I did have a period it was very light. My question is: Can I get pregnant without having a period? I did have signs of ovulation in November. I've never had a child and we are currently trying to get pregnant.
-Anonymous, Alabama

A. Since you have had very light periods in the past I can see why the birth control pills stopped them altogether. BCPs reduce the symptoms of menstruation (bleeding, cramping and nausea) significantly. If you have been on the pill for more than a year, your body may take several months to get back to a normal period. This is probably the reason you are not bleeding yet.

To answer your question: Yes, it is possible to become pregnant without showing the signs of a period. You could very well be ovulating, which is the key component to getting pregnant. To more accurately track your days of ovulation, you can buy an over-the-counter urine test.

Since you probably won't have the most tell-tale sign of pregnancy–a missed period–be on the lookout for other signs. (See the other pregnancy symptoms question for more details.)

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Q. Will a women's chances of becoming pregnant increase if she orgasms during intercourse?
-Anonymous, NY

A. A woman's chances of becoming pregnant may increase from having an orgasm because this usually triggers the production of more fluids in the vagina, therefore making the trek for the sperm easier. I don't think it's necessary to orgasm, though. I did fake it one time and got pregnant.

Q. How long should you try to become pregnant before you seek medical help?
-Anonymous, NY

A. I guess it all depends on the individual woman's characteristics and needs. For example, if you are over forty and would like to become pregnant before your eggs have expired, you may be more pressed for time.

Also, we need to define what really "trying" is– just being off birth control isn't enough in my opinion. (Keep in mind, if you have been using oral or injected contraceptives for some time, your body may need a few months to become regular and start ovulating again.) If you are keeping track of your ovulation schedule and having intercourse on your peak days, I think that qualifies as "trying." See "the best sperm meet egg formula" question and answer for a good definition of "trying really hard."

Assuming you are not on a tight biological-clock schedule: If you have been "trying" for a year or more, you may want to "try really hard" for a few more months. If that doesn't work, you might want to consult your doctor. Usually the first step in trouble-shooting a couple's fertility problem is to check the man's sperm count, as the tests for women are much more involved.

I discovered my first pregnancy just days before my husband's sperm test. Lucky him!

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Q. Can you become pregnant if you get sperm on your fingers and stick it in your vagina? If so, what's the probability of that happening?
-Anonymous, Maryland

A. Yes. (See other sperm-on-hand question for more details.) The probability of getting pregnant by this method is a lot less than if you had a direct penis-in-vagina ejaculation because there is far less sperm involved. But, sometimes all it takes is one drop of semen.

Q. I am trying to get pregnant and have had no success for the past six months. In the past I had terrible dieting habits which included the use of diet pills, diuretics, laxatives and yo-yo dieting. I am wondering if my past habits could have affected my chances of becoming pregnant. I now have a healthy diet (for the past six months) with exercise. A pre-natal vitamin and an occasional Tylenol are the only drugs I take.
-Anonymous, New York

A. I don't think your past dieting habits could be affecting your reproduction chances now. It may take your body a few months to get back to a more normal reproduction schedule of regular periods and ovulation, though. If you have been having normal periods and ovulating regularly for six months or more, you may want to "try" harder before you consult your doctor. See the other "trying really hard" question for more details.

Q. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant. With no luck, I am worried that the extra weight I carry is causing me to be unable to conceive. Do women who are overweight (slightly) have more difficulty conceiving than women who are within their normal weight range?
-Anonymous, New York

A. If you are slightly overweight (5lbs. to even 25lbs.), you should have no problem conceiving. There have been cases of women who are too overweight (or underweight) and have problems with reproduction. Your best indicator of whether your weight is interfering with conception is whether you have normal, monthly periods.

I did pregnancy both ways: the first time I started out a bit overweight and then continued to eat myself to oblivion; the second time I started at optimum weight and ate sensibly throughout. If you have a choice, I recommend starting out fit– pregnancy is a lot easier on the body and the recovery is a lot faster.

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Q. We are trying for pregnancy. After intercourse, is there a certain amount of time I should stay in bed? Is there a specific position we should try? Should I do anything while cleaning myself after intercourse?
-Anonymous, Australia

A. To maximize the sperm-meet-egg probability you can try the following formula:

1. Ask your partner to abstain from masturbation. All of the sperm must be saved for you.
2. Pinpoint your days of ovulation (you can buy an over-the-counter test for greater accuracy) and have sex every day you are ovulating.
3. Make sure you have attended to all of your nightly rituals (brushing teeth, the final pee, etc.) before getting into bed.
4. Have sex in the missionary position, with ankles behind the ears (if possible) during ejaculation for maximum penetration.
5. After your partner dismounts, remain still and position a pillow under your tush to elevate your pelvis. Put a small towel or washcloth between your legs to catch any dripping fluids.
6. Go to sleep and don't get out of bed until morning.

Although it did take a lot of tries, this "formula" eventually worked for me.

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