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Getting Pregnant
Q. When trying to conceive during those critical days in between my cycle, does exercising prohibit the sperm from reaching the egg? If I'm trying to conceive and have sex, should I abstain from doing moderate exercise, like a step aerobics class, the following days/evenings? Would not exercising increase my chances of the sperm reaching the egg? I’m just wondered if all the bouncing and gravity would "clean out" my uterus and keep sperm from uniting with egg.
-Anonymous, Texas
A. Unless you jump right up after intercourse and start doing your step aerobics, I don't think you need to worry about shaking out all the sperm. The hardest trek for the sperm is from the vagina through the cervix, and that usually happens within hours of intercourse. (See "the best sperm-meet-egg formula" for more information.) After the sperm passes through the cervix, it may take a few hours or days for the sperm to meet the egg. Jumping around and exercise may even help at this point, as increased circulation could promote lubrication and movement of the sperm to the egg.
Q. Can I get pregnant again after having four abortions with a D and C?
-Shane, Hawaii
A. The D and C (Dilatation and Curettage) procedure may cause scarring on the uterine wall, making getting pregnant and carrying a pregnancy to term a little more difficult. The more D and Cs you have, the higher your risk may be for scarring. It's also possible that you have no scarring at all. I've known women who have had up to ten D and Cs and then continued to have perfectly healthy pregnancies.
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Q. I was wondering if feeling an intense burning sensation inside the vagina (actually, it’s more of a peppermint-tingly sensation) after having contact with semen is an indication that I am allergic to cum altogether and unable to get pregnant? Even if it's the same with multiple partners? Have you heard of this before? I am worried I won't be able to conceive because of this, but too embarrassed to ask my doctor.
-Anonymous, Illinois
A. When a woman becomes allergic to semen she is said to have "hostile cervical mucous." (See the other hostile cervical mucous question for more details.) It is more difficult to become pregnant with this condition, but not impossible.
It's hard to say if you have hostile cervical mucous without having tests done. The burning sensation you experience after intercourse could just be from the friction of sex leaving your vaginal walls a little sore and tingly. If you've had intercourse with a condom and experienced the same feeling, it's probably caused by friction. If you only experience this with semen contact, I think you should ask your doctor to determine if you are allergic to sperm or not.
Q. Is it possible to get pregnant during a pre-menopausal state? I am 38 and we are working on our third child. I think I may be pre-menopausal with the symptoms you have listed on your site.
-Jackie, Wisconsin
A. It's possible to get pregnant during pre-menopause and even early menopause, but it can be difficult because it's very hard to predict just when ovulation is occurring. If you're having irregular periods and/or other signs of pre-menopause, you should consult your OB/GYN to make sure your symptoms are not a sign of another problem. I think it's a good idea to have a clean bill of health before attempting pregnancy. After all, it's hard work and it can wreak havoc on a woman's body, especially if you are not healthy.
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Q. During pre-menopause a women's estrogen level decreases. When you are extremely overweight, women are thought to have more estrogen and this is why it is difficult to get pregnant and it almost works as a form of birth control. Does this mean that if I am obese, as I get older I will become more fertile? I am 38 and we would like a third child but are having some difficulty getting pregnant.
-Jackie, Wisconsin
A. That's an interesting theory, but I don't think you should play the waiting game if you want to become pregnant. There's a possibility that one day your estrogen levels may even out, but who knows for how long. It may be a year, maybe a month, maybe a day. And, who knows when that will happen. Maybe not until you're fifty. If you really want to have another child, I think you should take action now: Go on a diet and start an exercise regimen while you are still relatively young. Not only is it more difficult to become pregnant while being obese, but there are a lot more risks associated with pregnancy for obese women.
Q. I had a left ovary and left tube removed about six months ago. I have recovered from surgery and my doctor told me that I should be able to conceive. Is it possible to have one tube and one ovary and be able to get pregnant? How does that work? I have been using a Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor for the last two months with no luck of conception. I have normal periods and some pre-PMS symptoms about two weeks before my periods. I have also had my periods stop after only three days. Is this normal and should I be looking into IVF or seeking a fertility specialist?
-Anonymous, Texas
A. Since you have one ovary, instead of two, you may be ovulating only every other month, making your window of fertility a little smaller, but still very possible to become pregnant. Using a fertility monitor is a good idea to track your ovulation and give you the best chance to get pregnant. The pre-PMS feeling two weeks before your period is probably when you are ovulating. I don't think you need to be concerned about a short period, but do remember that sometimes that may be an indicator of pregnancy. I also don't think you should be discouraged after only two months. For some people, myself included, it can take years to get pregnant. See "the best sperm meet egg formula" for more information on how to get pregnant. If, after a year you are still not pregnant, you may want to consult a fertility specialist.
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Q. How soon after a normal pregnancy can you safely attempt becoming pregnant again?
-Anonymous, California
A. There are many factors that affect when your body will be ready for pregnancy again, such as: if you had a C-section vs. a vaginal birth, if you had any complications during the pregnancy or delivery, if you are breastfeeding and if your body has had enough rest to fully recover. Most OB/GYNs will recommend waiting at least 18-23 months between pregnancies to give you the best odds of full recovery.
Don't worry if you get pregnant just weeks after giving birth. It does happen and you can still carry a perfectly healthy pregnancy to term. But, if you do get pregnant too soon after your first baby, you may not be mentally ready. It takes time to adjust to your new life with baby and rushing into another pregnancy can complicate things further. Imagine being sleep-deprived from your newborn, stressed out from coping with new parenthood, and having morning sickness, diarrhea, backache and horror-monal hysteria. Personally, I think it's best to wait at least a year between pregnancies. That way you will also get to enjoy each baby's infanthood separately. It does go by so fast!
Q. My husband and I are trying to have a baby. After intercourse, I put pillows under me to prop me up and I lay still for about a half hour or so. When I get up in the middle of the night, some comes out. Is this going to hurt my chances to have a baby?
-Anonymous, Maryland
A. Unless you get up immediately after intercourse and do jumping jacks or douche, I don't think just getting up for the bathroom is going to hurt your chances to become pregnant.
Q. When you finish your last pack of birth control pills and then have your first period, are you ovulating yet and able to conceive?
-Anonymous, Alabama
A. Some women ovulate within weeks after stopping the use of oral contraceptives while others take months to get back to a normal cycle and ovulate again. If you're trying to become pregnant, it may happen in a month or two after discontinuing the birth control pills. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen right away. It could take several months.
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Q. I am 35 and got my tubes tied five years ago after having three girls. I now understand that one can have the baby's sex predetermined by in-vitro fertilization, or spinning the sperm. If done by in vitro, can I select the baby's sex? Is this 100% foolproof? Would it matter that my tubes are tied? Is the spinning of the sperm a more reliable method of sex predetermination? I only want to get pregnant if I am nearly positive it would be a boy. Can you refer me to any web sites where I can learn more?
-Victoria, California
A. Sure, it is possible for you to get pregnant with in-vitro fertilization, even with your tubes tied. As far as I can tell, there is no 100% guarantee of gender selection with sperm spinning, washing, filtering or any other fertility procedure. Sperm spinning (or the Percoll density gradient centrifugation procedure) can be a costly and time consuming method for separating the X (female) from the Y (male) sperm. Success rates of gender selection with sperm spinning range from 60-65% and it costs roughly $600 per attempt. Another variation of sperm spinning, the Ericsson Albumin Method, has a success rate of 73-85% and costs about $600-$1,200 per try.
If you're not willing to risk having another girl, sperm spinning may not be for you. If you are interested, here are a few web sites with more information about how and where you can have the procedure performed: Gametrics Limited and The Reproductive Specialty Center
p.s. Beware of "all-natural" or "100% guaranteed" gender selection secrets, methods, potions or drinks. I wouldn't buy anything online that offers information or methods that can predetermine your baby's sex. The best, most honest information is free.
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Q. If a person received a tubal ligation and it has been 10 years since the procedure, is it possible that the human body will heal itself from the surgery and go back to normal? Could a person conceive after this many years, or is this procedure lifelong?
-Anonymous, Washington
A. A tubal ligation is considered a permanent sterilization and is more than 98% successful in preventing pregnancy. Some women may develop ectopic pregnancies if they've had a history of tubal pregnancies, but most will not become pregnant again after the procedure. I've heard of no studies or instances of a woman's body repairing the fallopian tubes after a tubal ligation, but I suppose it could happen. The chances of that happening must be extremely small. If you do wish to get pregnant again, the procedure can be reversed, but the reversal procedure is not always successful. The rate for pregnancy after a reversal procedure is about 50-80%.
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