Here it is, the page with the answers! Maybe not all of the answers, but at least the ones that are asked the most. If you have a question that you feel should be listed here with an answer, drop us a line and we will do our best to answer it for you.

Remember, the only stupid question, is the one that goes unasked.

Q. - What does AF, TTC, DH, and all these other letters mean?
A. - This is one of the easier questions to answer. Visit Abbreviations, and you will see the different abbreviations that are used on most message boards.

Q. - What is charting? I see you talking about it at the group but I don't quite understand what you are referring to.
A. - The charting that we are talking about is discussed in depth in the book 'Taking Charge Of Your Fertility' by Toni Weschler. What it consists of is basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cervical position charting, on a chart that can be found either in the book or on the internet. The method that is used is known by two names Fertility Awareness Method, and Natural Family Planning. By tracking these three signs of fertility you can tell when you're most and least fertile times are, if you are ovulating, and if you are pregnant.

Q. - What is basal body temperature?
A. - Basal Body Temperature is the temperature that your body is at when you first wake up in the morning before doing anything. By listing your BBT on a chart you can see your pattern for fertility.

Q. - What is Cervical Mucus?
A. - Cervical Mucus is the fluids that your body creates in different consistencies and amounts during your cycle. This can be checked two ways, internally or externally. The more like Egg Whites your Cervical Mucus is the more fertile you are.

Q. - What is Cervical Position?
A. - Cervical Position refers to the position that your cervix is at during your cycle. When you are close to O'ing and at your most fertile time, your cervix will become SHOW or Soft (like your lips) High (harder to reach) Open (a small opening in the center) and Wet (with CM). When you are not fertile it will be harder (like your nose), lower, closed, and dry or sticky.

Q. - How can I increase my CM, or make the quality of it more EW?
A. - This is actually easier then many think. There are two ways that I know of to increase your CM and make it more sperm friendly. You can take either plain Robitussintm 1 teaspoon 2 to 3 times a day from day 5 until you O or you can take Evening Primrose Oil up to 1500mg daily. Many take the Evening Primrose Oil just because the Robitussin tm tastes so bad, but it is up to you.

Q. - I am not O'ing, now what?
A. - First call your doctor and set up an appointment to have a preconception visit and blood work done. Take your charts with you to show to your doctor that you are not ovulating. Also have questions ready to ask your Doctor about what he/she plans on doing for you. If you need help coming up with questions, check out How To Choose A Doctor on this site. Chances are your doctor will prescribe Clomid. If you would rather try herbs to regulate your cycle, you still need to see your doctor to make sure that it is not your thyroid or some other medical reason for your lack of O. If it is just that your hormones are out of balance, see Herb Vitamin, and Mineral Information for more information on what herbs will help you regulate your hormones.

Q. - How long, on average, does it take to become pregnant?
A. - The average amount of time it takes a couple to conceive is 6 months. It is very normal for it to take as long as a year or as little as two months. If after a year you have not conceived, six months if your are over 35, or have been charting for 6 months, you need to see your doctor to have a medical work up done to see where the problem (if there is one) lies.

Q. - How can I tell if I am pregnant just by charting?
A. - If you are charting and you know when you O then you can count how many days it has been since you O'd and see if your temps are above your cover line. If you have 18 or more days of temps above your cover line, there is a 99% chance that you are pregnant! There is a 1% chance that you are not pg. If you have more then 18 days of high temps and are testing negative with HPTs, call your doctor and have a blood test done.

Q. - I have had a miscarriage in the past. Does this mean that I will have another one?
A. - No, your chances of having another miscarriage do not increase because you have had one in the past. Miscarriages happen for many reasons, and many more can not be medically explained. On average 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, many before the woman even knows that she is pregnant. Try not to let a past miscarriage worry you the next time that you conceive.

Q. - Why does my partner need to have a sperm analysis done and what is it?
A. - If you and your partner have not been successful in conceiving after a year (or less depending on age), then one of the first tests that your doctor will order will be a sperm analysis. This is one of the less expensive tests as well as one of the less invasive. When a sperm analysis is scheduled, your partner will need to refrain from ejaculating for three days. This will help the doctor in determining what your partner's average sperm count is. The count is for all of the living sperm that are present in the sample. The motility, or ability of the sperm to swim, is the other part of the analysis. If the sperm are basically motionless or moving very little then the motility is poor. By having this test performed it assists the doctors in deciding on whether or not more tests of the female are needed or if the fertility problem lies, most likely, with the man.

Q. - My partner has been told he has a low sperm count and/or poor motility. Is there anything we can do to help this?
A. - That depends on why the count is low and/or the motility is poor. If there is no medical reason, then changing the clothing that your partner wears should help. Boxers instead of briefs, no hot baths or showers, warm is fine, no prolonged bike riding, and no hot tubbing!! It will take three months to see a difference in the sperm analysis. It takes this long for the male to produce new sperm. Another thing to watch for is diet. Make sure that your partner is getting enough vitamin C, E, and zinc. Vitex, or chaste tree berry has also been used for male reproductive problems.

Q. - I am using clomid to help me O. Will this cause a false positive on a HPT?
A. - No. Clomid will not cause a false positive result on a hpt. The only infertility therapy that will cause a false positive is hCG. HCG is the hormone that all HPTs measure. If you are taking only clomid to assist you in Oing, and you get a positive result on a HPT, congratulations! you are pregnant.

Q. - Can I increase our chances of conceiving a boy or a girl?
A. - Yes, it is possible to increase your chances. The only method that I recommend is the Shettles Method. You can find the details of this method in Dr. Shettles book How To Choose The Sex Of Your Baby. This book is available through our Book Resources. The basic idea of this method involves charting your fertility, and proper timing of intercourse. For a boy you would want to have intercourse the day of O. For a girl you would want to have intercourse no closer then three days before O. Because of the timing involved, you will want to chart for at least three months before trying this method. The results for using this method are about 85% for a girl, and 75% for a boy.

Q. - When using an OPK, can you show a surge for more then 1 test day? Do your levels stay high through O?
A. - It is possible to show a surge for two test days, depending on when you test and how often. If you test both in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening, you could show a surge in the evening and again in the morning. Before your body can release an egg, it has to be told to do so. An OPK measures the lutenizing hormone. This hormone will begin to be released about 4 to 6 hours before it will show on a test. Once you get a strong positive result, you should O in 24 to 48 hours. The level will not remain high through O because what happens is just a burst of this hormone. If you continued testing with an OPK until you confirmed O by temping, you would notice your test line getting lighter and lighter, until you could not see it.

Q. - Can I be pregnant and still get my period?
A. - It is possible to get your period and be pregnant, however it is not likely to happen. If you have reason to believe that you are pregnant, use a HPT. If the results are negative, and you still think that you may be pregnant, have your doctor order a beta hCG blood test.

All information contained in this web site is for informational purposes only.
Do not consider the information herein to be of a diagnostic nature.
Always consult your health care professional if you have any health concerns.