Question: Ovulation and timing of intercourse?

[Jemma]

Quick question:

I'm very aware of my body and its natural rhythm. I'm almost certain that I've ovulated during the past two days. I've had very painful, sensitive breasts and burning, hot skin (in the chest area) for no other reason that I can explain.

My husband and I had sexual intercourse twice (today & yesterday). Am just wondering whether the timing was right then for a possible pregnancy? Or is my understanding of the menstrual cycle is a little off?

 

[TieDye]

Let me see if I can try and offer the info that I know without getting confusing - sometimes I'm bad at explaining things.

Generally if you have sex after ovulation then you're "too late" to catch the egg, because it only stays viable for about 12-24 hours, and you have to allow time for the sperm to get there for fertilization. I think the best time suggested to have sex when TTC is the two days before ovulation, something like that. However, you're still a lot closer than any other time, so there's always that chance that you did get a fertilized egg from the sex you've had.

LOL - getting pregnant kind of seems like a game of Russian Roulette with an egg and sperm.

 

[PinkTulip]

Do you chart?

 

[Jemma]

Do you chart?

No, because we only made the decision about four days ago that we were going to be TTC. I just knew I was ovulating then, which is how the whole topic of Baby #2 came back up again

Isn't charting somewhat laborious? Can you take a temp orally or under the armpit for charting purposes?

 

[BookwormPrincess]

Hi Jemma,
Some of the other girls are more knowledgeable about charting than me so I'll leave them to answer that question.

I am no expert, but this is information I have gleaned so far (corrections welcomed!):
As far as when to have sex is concerned, there are approx 6 fertile days in a woman's cycle, but only 12 - 36 hours of high fertility once the egg has been released. Sperm can live for 3 -5 days inside if they make it through. This is why having sex before ovulation and just when you are about to ovulate is best, since the more sperm there are to reach the egg the better. The egg is only viable for 12 - 36(?) hours I think (not very long). So I have been told the best days to have sex are - 4, - 2, 0, +1, +2 where Day 0 is when you think you have ovulated (or even every day between -4 and +2).

At the moment I use OPKs (ovulation predictor kits) and CM signs to work out when I have ovulated, but if you can chart your temperature than you have a much better chance of predicting when you ovulate.

I watched Zita West on the Baby Channel today and she said that having lots of sex just before ovulation and during ovulation is best, an apparently more sex is better for the sperm since in increases motility. She said it is a myth that sperm needs to be stored up and 'saved' as it were. I had heard this, and thought that every other day was better for the sperm. Now I am not so sure so will have to check it out. What have other people heard?

 

[ksdedee74]

I will jump in here if it ok bookworm. It is betterr if you don't have sperm problems to have as much as possible during o days. If you have to deal with low sperm counts. We are there it is best to have lots of sex at the begining of the cycle, to get your dh's body into the sprem making mood then go to everyother day during fertile period. Also some people schedule thier lovemaking to increase the odds of either sex. but i won't get into that unless someone really wants to know about it.

 

[BookwormPrincess]

I will jump in here if it ok bookworm. It is betterr if you don't have sperm problems to have as much as possible during o days. If you have to deal with low sperm counts. We are there it is best to have lots of sex at the begining of the cycle, to get your dh's body into the sprem making mood then go to everyother day during fertile period. Also some people schedule thier lovemaking to increase the odds of either sex. but i won't get into that unless someone really wants to know about it.

Thanks Ksdedee, that is really interesting info. We don't know whether we have any sperm problems or not yet since we haven't gone to have tests done (GP said wait till May). Might try your advice for our next cycle of ttc.

 

[ksdedee74]

I have had to do lots of research on it. We know dh has a low count and low mobility but it has never caused any problems before because I used to be highly hospitable. We don't know what our problem is now. I have a feeling it is me, I am just not sure what IT is.

 

[BookwormPrincess]

I have had to do lots of research on it. We know dh has a low count and low mobility but it has never caused any problems before because I used to be highly hospitable. We don't know what our problem is now. I have a feeling it is me, I am just not sure what IT is.

It's amazing how hard it is to actually GET pregnant isn't it? You know you did it before, so there is hope it can happen again. I hope you don't have to wait too long.

 

[ksdedee74]

The first time was not as easy it took awhile. but we weren't trying real hard,just not not trying. KWIM. But after that all I had to do was think about getting pregnant and it happened. with #4 I am not even sure we did anything more than kiss. LOL I have really been feeling like my body has changed this last year. I wouldn't say anything jumps out at me, just little things like my cm is not as clear and as much, and I have started having allkinds of wierd hot flashes and night sweats. I so hope for more babies, but at that same time I am starting to be ready to accept that my time may have passed. Well ok maybe I am not really ready to accept it. But even though I have had babies and other haven't believe me I want another very very much. I had always planned on a very large family. And the pain of going month after month and not getting pregnant is very real to me. I just hope that maybe I can help some who haven't ever had a baby. I don't know if that makes sense.

 

[Jemma]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their posts under my thread here. It's a relief to hear from other people TTC.