Re: am i doing the right thing?
anonymous

Question:
 

Ok so we have been trying since sept which coincided with my periods stopping. Im not pregnant as ive taken tests and i havent had a period since sept this year.

I decided

to go back on the pill to get my periods back then stop and try again.. is this ok to do? I conceived my daughter after missing the pill. My periods have always been irregular

Any one else in the same situation?? Please advise me

My Advice:

 

Know your body: menstrual cycles and fertility (trying to get pregnant with irregular cycles

When I was trying to get pregnant for the first time, I unexpectedly experienced some difficulties.  As a result, I put a lot of effort into studying my body and how to make it achieve maximum fertility.  I studied books, internet sites and learned a lot about infertility, fertility and conception.   For those of you who would like to know your bodies better or trying to conceive (or to not conceive), here is a summary of what I have learned:

The menstrual cycle

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days.  Although this can vary significantly from woman to woman, cycle to cycle, which can make it really difficult to guess when you are fertile.  In preparation for trying, it is helpful to know how long your average cycles are, so that you can know when you ovulate.  When coming off of contraception, such as the pill which regulates cycles, it is difficult to know how long your natural cycles are.  I recommend counting at least 3 cycles and using a barrier or alternative method so that you know how long your usual cycles are.

Day 1 is the first day of your period.  In a 28 day cycle, day 14 is the day of ovulation and then day 28 is the last day of the cycle.  NOTE: ovulation occurs 14 days (+/- 2 days) prior to your period starting (not 14 days after the start of your period, on day 14), hence this is why it is important to know how long your cycles usually are, so that you can count backwards to pinpoint your fertile days.  For example: if your cycle is 30 days long, you ovulate on day 16; for a cycle that is 26 days long, you ovulate on day 12, etc. etc.

Ovulation may not necessarily occur every cycle, so knowing your fertile signs can help you know why you are not getting pregnant.

Knowing when you are fertile

There are a few different techniques to know when you are at your most fertile, and I have used most of them.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

When you ovulate, there is a rise in BBT, of about 0.2-0.4 degrees celsius.  This does not predict ovulation, but helps you to see when and if you have ovulated.  The temperature should stay risen for at least 10 days, or until the start of the period.  Temperature needs to be taken first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed, and before eating or drinking.  Other factors can make your temp rise, including being unwell, traveling, stress, shift work, late night, interrupted sleep and alcohol.  Charting your BBT daily can help you see when you ovulate and help predict how long your cycle will be, when to expect a period and know when to take a pregnancy test (add 14 days, plus or minus 2 days, to the day of temperature rise, and this should be when your period is due).  If your temperature stays up past the time your period is due, you may be pregnant.

Cervical mucus

After a period, cervical/vaginal mucous/discharge becomes dry and then turns into a milky white fluid.  During ovulation it will become a clear, stretchy consistency, like egg white.  The idea is for the body to make an easy fluid for dad-to-be’s little swimmers to easily get through.  Semen being expelled from the vagina after your baby making attempt will also have this appearance- to tell the difference, run the mucous under some water- the semen will congeal and turn lumpy, whereas the vaginal mucous will dissolve.  Any vaginal infection will alter the appearance of cervical mucous, such as thrush or STD’s

Cervical position

Take some time to get to know your cervix.  It will change position and appearance throughout your cycle.  A cervix that is low, hard, dry and closed is least fertile.  A cervix that is high, soft, wet and open will be most fertile.  Check at the same time everyday, as changes can occur through the day (I found during the morning shower was best).

Ovulation prediction kits

This method is similar to taking a pregnancy test, except this test picks up urine Luetenising hormone (LH), which rises prior to and during ovulation.  It has a high accuracy of predicting ovulation, but can get expensive.  These are available from chemists/pharmacies and supermarkets.  False negative and false positives can occur if not used correctly.

Maybe baby saliva microscope

I had one of these and it was excellent.  Maybe baby mini microscopes can be found at pharmacies, or online; I got mine from a naturopath.  They work by testing the hormones in saliva.  By applying a small amount of saliva to the microscope, a ferning pattern will form at the time of ovulation.  They are easy to use and re-usable.

Mood

Sexual desire will increase at times of high fertility.  Its biology’s method of encouraging reproduction in the human species.  Take not of your mood and sexual desire, as this changes throughout the menstrual cycle and can help you to predict when you are most fertile, or due a period.

Ovulation pain

Some women may get a twinge of pain near their ovaries at the time of ovulation.  Some women are very in tune with their bodies and can sense the exact moment of egg release.  Others may have spotting (very small amount of blood) at the time of ovulation, mid cycle. 

 

Before trying for a baby

Get yourself as healthy as possible, as a healthy vessel makes a healthy baby.  If you are fit and healthy, you are more likely to have an easier pregnancy and birth, and your baby is more likely to be healthy.  Exercise and eat well, aim for a healthy weight range, quit smoking and drinking, certainly don’t use recreational drugs and see your doctor about any prescription drugs you may be on.

Fertility charting

Charting your body’s fertility signals is particularly helpful if you have irregular cycles, just as I did.  If you know when to expect a period, and you know that you have had intercourse at the right time, then you will be less likely to waste money on repeated negative pregnancy tests.  A fertility chart similar to the one I used can be found here:  http://www.birth.com.au/fertility.asp (fertility chart)

A note of caution though: charting can make the baby making process very clinical and sap the fun out of baby making.  Please take a break if this is the case for you.

When to seek help

Normal, healthy women can take up to 12 months to make a baby.  Most medical professional will not treat for infertility before this 12 month mark is up.  If you have medical issues, and you are still having problems with noting your fertile times (and you are desperate to have a baby), then see your dr for some assistance.

Good luck with your baby making attempts.