We spend a big part of our adult lives trying to prevent pregnancy from happening that when we decide that we are finally ready to start a family, it is a little hard to imagine that it won’t happen quickly.  For some, it does happen immediately but for others, like me, the road to motherhood can be a bit longer and more twisted.

So I’ve decided to put together a list that I think will be helpful for women who find themselves having a difficult time getting knocked-up.

1. Charting: It will help you figure out when or if you ovulate. Take your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) every morning at the same time.  If you have to wake up and fall back asleep right away, that is ok.  You need to still be lying down to get the most accurate temps. You can note your results on paper or use apps on your mobile device. I used Fertility Friend.  With enough data, the app gives you info on when you likely ovulated depending on your temperatures. Temping is really only helpful after a few months of doing it because you will start to see a pattern that will help you understand your cycle better.
2. OPK: If taking your temps daily is too much work, use an ovulation predictor kit. Charting and using the OPKs help you time intercourse better so they are really helpful if you are serious about trying to conceive.  Ideally, women will ovulate halfway through their cycle but that just is not always the case so you can’t rely on what the calendar says.
3. Cycle Day 3 Blood Work: If you feel you have been timing sex perfectly and still you are not pregnant, make an appointment to see your Ob-Gyne on the 3^rd day of your cycle.  Ask for a Cycle Day 3 blood work-up.  Day 3 hormone levels provide your doctor with valuable information about the current status of your reproductive potential. The blood levels show how ‘easily’ your brain and ovaries work to mature an egg each month and can give insight into the egg quality (or its diminished quality).
4. Hysterosalpingogram (HSG Testing): The HSG Test will tell you if your fallopian tubes are clear. My doctor ordered this test for me after we unsuccessfully tried on our own for 5 months. She said, if my tubes were clear, she would prescribe Clomid  to help with egg quality.  If you’ve read my previous posts, you’ll know how that went. Bah! Anyway, I’ve read that some doctors like to wait until you have been trying for much longer before they order any tests if you are under the age of 35.  I am grateful my doctor took me seriously.  I could’ve gone undiagnosed, just stuck hoping in vain every month.
5. Semen Analysis:  My doctor gave me the prescription for my husband.  I had to call his primary care physician for a referral and they faxed that over before the scheduled date. We went to a fertility clinic to get this done.  T said that they put him in a small room with a couch and a tv with a selection of VHS tapes and magazines designed to help him with his task. It was uncomfortable for him to say the least but we both tried to find the humor in the situation.  TTC is stressful business so keeping your sense of humor really helps to keep your sanity.

Hopefully, you and your partner check out ok and it’s really just taking a while to conceive but if there is something wrong, it is good to know as soon as possible so you can work with your doctor and create a plan for success. Good luck!