The Benefits of Charting Your Fertility
What can charting my fertility signs tell me?

There are only a few days each menstrual cycle that you can get pregnant. Charting your fertility signs can help you find those days so that you can maximize your intercourse timing to increase your chances of conception each cycle. It can also help you make sense of your entire cycle. Even if you do not get pregnant in a given cycle, what you learn from charting your fertility signs that cycle will help you increase your chances in future cycles.

Your fertility signs are directly related to the hormonal changes your body experiences throughout your cycle. Recognizing and understanding the role of these signs can offer you the information you need to help you achieve pregnancy, understand your own fertility pattern, and make informed choices at every stage of your Trying To Conceive (TTC) journey.

Charting your fertility signs offers a way to visually make sense of these signs and unravel the mystery of your fertility. Many people are astonished at just how much they can learn by taking a few minutes a day to observe and record their fertility signs. Many more are delighted to discover that charting their fertility signs is all that is needed to time intercourse and achieve pregnancy. Others find that they can identify fertility issues early and decide on a course of action early. It can be an enlightening and empowering experience.

Observing and recording your fertility signs takes just a couple of minutes a day, but allows you to see the following:

Determine if and when you ovulate: This is a logical first step and is probably the first thing you will want to know if it is taking you longer than expected to conceive. While this is not the only information you need, knowing whether or not you ovulate will help you learn if you should consider seeking medical attention. If you do ovulate, knowing when you ovulate will help you better time intercourse and to know if you are timing intercourse well.


Determine the start and length of your fertile phase. Knowing when your fertile phase begins and how long it is will help you better time intercourse and know how often and when to have intercourse to maximize your chances of conception. This information can offer you control, guide you, and if necessary help your doctor help you with your unique situation.

Determine the end of your fertile phase. While the end of your fertile phase is not as critical to pregnancy achievement as its start, it does provide clues about your cycle and lets you know when you can stop having scheduled intercourse. It also lets you know when you enter your post-ovulatory, or luteal phase of your cycle which also offers clues about your fertility.

Determine the length of your luteal phase. Your luteal phase is the time between ovulation and menstruation. In most cases your luteal phase is fairly constant and does not vary much from cycle to cycle for the same woman. Knowing the length of your luteal phase will let you know if your luteal phase is sufficiently long to sustain a pregnancy.

Plan and predict your cycles. While your cycles may vary slightly (or greatly) and we know that they can vary a great deal from woman to woman, charting your fertility signs will help you predict when you are most fertile, when ovulation is likely to occur and when your period is expected. Each cycle charted will give you an increased awareness and better ability to predict what is likely in future cycles. With this awareness you can improve your intercourse timing. You will have advanced warning of the beginning of your fertile phase and will know when to expect ovulation. If you are aware of your own typical cycle you can also know early if you conceived in a particular cycle.

Determine the length of your cycles. Knowing your usual cycle length or the range of your cycle length if it varies can help you know when you are most likely to be fertile, if you are likely to be pregnant and when you can test for pregnancy on an early pregnancy test. This information is also useful for your doctor and is something you are likely to be asked should you seek medical attention.

Time intercourse or fertility treatments to maximize the chances of conception. Knowing your unique fertility pattern will help you time intercourse increasingly well as you gain greater awareness of your fertility. When you know when you are fertile and when you ovulate, intercourse timing can be maximized for conception purposes.

Time when to use ovulation predictor kits (OPKs). It is not necessary for everyone to use OPKs, but if you do use them, you want to maximize their use since they are expensive and often only allow for about 5 days of tests. Knowing when you are entering your fertile phase and knowing about your past cycles will help you make the best possible use of OPKs.

Bring clear, clean and accurate data to your doctor. Whether your doctor has suggested that you chart your fertility signs, or if it becomes evident that you need to seek medical attention after you have charted for a few cycles, your doctor will appreciate your charting efforts. Doctors are becoming increasingly supportive of women charting their fertility and they are also becoming more experienced at reading and interpreting fertility charts. The more data you have, the better able your doctor will be to evaluate, analyze and make sense of your charts with you. Having several cycles charted can help you and your doctor decide on the best course of treatment if treatment is necessary. Having charted cycles available for your doctor in advance can also minimize your waiting. This is especially important if age is a factor.

Maximize the timing of fertility tests and treatments and medications. Your charted cycle data will help your doctor offer you the best possible care by timing tests and treatments to coincide with the most appropriate time in your cycle. Many tests and treatments are most effective when they are well-timed and you can avoid the guesswork if you are charting your fertility signs.

See if you timed intercourse well. Many people find the time after ovulation to be the most stressful. They are waiting and hoping to have conceived. Once your fertile time has passed and ovulation has been confirmed by your fertility signs, you can examine your chart to see if conception was possible in any particular cycle. Though your chances are only about 20% in any given cycle, you will know if you have reason to be hopeful. If you do not conceive for several cycles, in spite of well-timed intercourse, you will know that there may be factors that require medical attention.

Know early if conception occurred. Your chart offers clues that can tell you that you may have conceived.

Know when conception occurred to better estimate your due date. Once pregnancy is confirmed, doctors typically estimate your due date based on your Last Menstrual Period (LMP). This estimation assumes a typical cycle length and ovulation date that may not apply to you. If you know when ovulation occurred, then you can more accurately determine your baby's due date.

Time when to take an early pregnancy test. If you know when your period is really "late" then you can decide when you can reliably take a pregnancy test. This can help to avoid the disappointment of seeing negative pregnancy tests and the anxiety of ambiguous results and early false-negatives caused by testing too early.

Gain awareness of your hormonal profile and your body. Charting your fertility signs eliminates the mystery that may have surrounded your fertility. It is really no mystery at all when you are aware. Each sign is tied to processes that are governed by the hormones that are running through your body. Recognizing these signs and knowing what they mean is eye-opening and enlightening.

Take control of your Trying to Conceive experience. Charting your fertility signs and learning what they mean and how they are related to your fertility is something you can do to take control of your trying to conceive experience. This is something proactive that you can do to dramatically increase your chances of conception every cycle. You are informed and in control. There is nothing to lose by doing it and everything to gain.

Charting your fertility signs is something that you can do to increase your chances of conception, understand your own fertility pattern and put you in control of your trying to conceive experience.

TEMPING INFORMATION

First Phase Temps
The first phase (Preovulatory) before ovulation has occured, temps will normally be between 97.0 to 97.5. Right before ovulation occurs the hormone estrogen is produced causing lower temps. Many women are able to see a dip in temp alerting them that peak time is near and ovulation is about to occur. Just remember, your temps can rise and fall multiple times before a dip making it difficult to know when the lowest point will be. It is important to also know that your lowest temperature is most likely NOT your peak day and unless you are charting other indicators you may miss your most fertile time completely.

Second Phase Temps
In the second phase (Luteal Phase) which begins after ovulation temperatures generally will rise between 97.6 and 98.6. The increased temperatures are due to the hormone progesterone which is released from the corpus luetum - the follicle that hold the egg. The temps will remain high for a period usually 12 to 16 days until they drop again (either the day before or the day of) when your cycle ends and menstrual period begins. If conception occurs temperatures will remain high during the entire pregnancy.

Third Phase Temps
Many women experience a third phase (Triphasic Phase) which is temperatures climbing to yet another level that is approximately 3/10's - 4/10's over the Luteal Phase high. This is due to the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) hormone that is produced if conception has occurred and when implantation takes place.

Detecting Ovulation
Detecting ovulation by charting your temperatures can easily be seen after you have ovulated. A dip in temperature followed by a rise (at least 2/10's of a degree) higher than all temps the previous six days and staying at or beyond this level for at least 3 consecutive days shows that ovulation has occurred. Your coverline is usually drawn at this point. Remember - Snuggle Buggle (BD) has to take place BEFORE you ovulate to enhance your chances for conception. Charting your cervical fluid and position along with your temperatures will give you a much clearer picture as to when you are most likely ovulating and when your peak time is.

Identifying Anovulatory Cycles
A anovulatory cycle means that no ovulation occurred during that particular cycle. This can be identified by charting your waking temperature. When viewing charted temperatures that appear to have peaks and valleys (many low and high temps) throughout the entire month with no clear separation of a rise in level of temps (rising from first phase / pre-ovulation Phase to second phase / luetal phase) this is a good indication that ovulation did not occur. Many women who are able to conceive may have months that no ovulation takes place - however, we only have 12 times a year to conceive so in my opinion any anovulatory cycles should be followed by seeking testing and / or treatment from ones OBGYN or RE specialist.

Low Estrogen Levels
Estrogen is a hormone that is produced by the follicles that hold an egg. Estrogen plays a large part in the ability to conceive. It is the hormone needed for women to ovulate. It also plays a part as to the amount and quality of cervical mucus which is crucial for the sperm to travel up to the outer third part of the fallopian tubes for conception. An indication of low levels of estrogen would be a nonovulatory cycle along with low amount or poor quality of cervical fluid.

Low Progesterone Levels
Progesterone is also an important hormone within our cycle. It comes from the corpus luteum. When an egg is released the follicle that held it collapses and becomes a yellowed bodied mass called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum sticks to the ovarian wall and starts producing progesterone. Its life span is about 12 to 16 days. Progesterone insures that all maturing eggs (15 - 20 within a cycle) are not released, it thickens the uterine lining, and causes the fertile signs - dip and temp, egg white cervical mucus, and high cervical position to return to a non fertile state.

Low Progesterone levels can be indicated by seeing temps close to, on or below coverline after ovulation through the end of a cycle. Even if ovulation was achieved, low progesterone levels make it very difficult to obtain successful conception. Low progesterone levels can be treated by seeking help from an OBGYN or RE specialist. Progesterone shots, pills, and suppositories are some of the ways Doctors may prescribe to increase this hormone.

Indication of Possible Pregnancy
Ovulation day is not necessarily the same day month to month making the first phase of a cycle vary. The luteal phase (second phase after ovulation) usually is the same every month. After ovulation has occurred you can indicate a pregnancy by watching for the passing of your normal luteal phase. For example if you always have 13 days (DPO - days past ovulation) from when you ovulate to when your period comes and its now 16 DPO, there is a very good chance you are pregnant! 18 DPO with high temps usually guarantee's that you have conceived. Seeing the a sustained third phase (triphasic phase) will also put you on the red alert to a possible success!

Indication of Possible Miscarriage
Miscarriages are heartbreaking and unfortunately not a rare occurrence! An astounding 1 out of 3 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Many early miscarriages happen so early that if not charting, one probably would never know it occurred. Sometimes it happens so early that it could be confused with a late period. Passing your normal luteal phase date combined with a third level of temps only to be followed with a steady decline or sudden drop in temp and bleeding may indicate a miscarriage has occurred. If you suspect you are miscarrying, please contact your OBGYN, RE or medical doctor.

Don't Temp Alone!
Your waking body temperature is a great tool to use in fertility awareness. But temp readings are much better served when charted along with cervical fluid and cervical position. Using the three indicators together will give you a wonderful indication of when your most fertile and peak time is which will greatly enhance your chances for conception. When you are most fertile, your cervical position is very high, your cervix gets soft and the slit becomes open. Your cervical fluid becomes abundant, clear and stretchy (consistency of egg whites). In using all three indicators you will be amazed at the information you will gain about your cycle and what your own body can tell you about your own fertility!

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POSSIBLE OVULATIONS SENSATIONS

Dull achiness:
This is thought to be caused by swelling of numerous follicles in the ovaries as the eggs race for dominance and ultimate ovulation. It is typically felt as a general abdominal achiness, since both ovaries swell with growing follicles as the woman approaches ovulation.

A sharp pain:
This could be the actual moment that the egg bursts through the ovarian wall and is usually felt on only one side.

Crampiness:
This is probably the result of irriataion of the abdominal lining caused by leakage of blood or follicular fluid released from the ruptured egg follicle. It could also be due to contractions of the fallopian tubes around ovulation.

CERVICAL MUCUS PATTERNS

Cervical Fluid will range in abundance, consistency, color and fertile quality. Typically the changes in fluid will fall into the following pattern.

Dry or Light Moisture - INFERTILE
After menstruation for a period of 3 - 5 days you may experience no fluid at all or a small amount of moisture. Color of any existing fluid is clear or slightly white but will dry immediately on your fingertips. Overall sensation is not wet at this time.

Sticky or Gummy - INFERTILE
Cervical Fluid then changes to feeling sticky for a period of 2 - 3 days. When rubbed between your fingertips it may give a small amount of resistance, feels slightly gummy or may even crumble. The color will range from clear to white and although you may feel a small amount of moisture the fluid is still dry and does not feel wet at this time.

Creamy, Milky, Lotion Like - FERTILE
Cervical fluid now becomes much more abundant and will feel wet from 2 - 4 days. It can appear either thick and creamy or like hand lotion and will form peaks in your fingertips when pulled apart or can be thinner and look milky. Color of the fluid is white or yellow and the overall vaginal sensation is wet.

Eggwhite Cervical Fluid - VERY FERTILE
Cervical fluid now reaches its most fertile stage for 1 - 5 days. The fluid will look and have the consistency of eggwhites. It is slippery to the touch and if pulled between the fingertips will stretch 1 - 10 inches! The color can be clear or iridescent and the overall sensation is extremely wet.

Dry, Moist or Sticky - INFERTILE
Cervical fluid will now change drastically due to the drop in estrogen and the surge of progesterone following ovulation. It can be dry, watery, moist or sticky and will remain in that stage until the end of your monthly cycle - which is the day before your menstrual period begins. Any fluid at all will dry up quickly upon your fingertips, can range from no color to white and your overall vaginal sensation will be dry at this time.

Lizzy Jo http://talk.sheknows.com/showthread.php?t=30324

Do you dream of hearing the pitter-patter of little feet toddling around your living room? Are you planning to become a mommy soon? The odds are in your favour: 84% of women under thirty-five who are trying to conceive will get pregnant within the first year.

While news reports about infertility can be frightening, the majority of women will conceive without difficulty. However, if you want to increase your chances of becoming pregnant, there are some dietary and behavioural changes you can make that may boost your fertility.

Take your vitamins
Fertility is decreased in both men and women who are deficient in vitamin C, especially smokers. Men who get less than 60 milligrams RDA of vitamin C daily (equal to the amount in an orange) have been found to have high levels of damaged sperm. In one study, sperm counts increased by almost 60 percent in men who took 1000mg for two months.

Women should avoid megadoses of vitamin C because it can dry up cervical fluid, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. Limit the amount you take to the dose included in your prenatal vitamin.

Zinc deficiency has been linked to low sperm counts and poor sperm motility. It has also been implicated in miscarriage.

Vitamin E may protect sperm-cell membranes. In one study, men who took 200mg of vitamin E daily increased their fertility by about 30 percent in one month. Men taking four grams daily of the amino acid arginine, powdered and dissolved in water, experienced a significant increase in sperm count and motility in some studies.

Throw away your lubricants
The chemicals in commercial lubricants can kill sperm. Studies show sperm motility is lessened by 60-100% after sixty minutes of contact with lubricants. Petroleum jelly, plain glycerin and even saliva can also kill sperm.

Lengthen the amount of time you spend on foreplay to ensure you are aroused and your natural vaginal secretions are increased. If you must use an additional lubricant, try egg whites because they encourage sperm motility.

Be missionaries
Make love with the man on top; also know as the missionary position. Sperm is deposited closest to the cervix during sex in this position because it allows the deepest penetration.

Avoid Starbucks
Your chance of becoming pregnant is reduced by almost one-third if you or your partner ingests high amounts of caffeine, about 300-700mg daily. (One cup of regular coffee has 100mg of caffeine while regular tea has 30mg)

Become a teetotaler
Women who drink at least 2 cup of tea per day nearly double their odds of conceiving. Researchers believe the antioxidants in tea may be responsible.

While men's alcohol consumption doesn't appear to affect fertility, women who have one alcoholic drink a day reduce their chance of conceiving by 50%. Even two drinks a week can lower your odds.

Not milk
Studies show that high rates of milk consumption are related to a decrease in fertility. Galactose, a sugar in milk, has been found in high concentrations in infertile women.

Don't get high
Marijuana decreases fertility in men by having a negative effect on sperm production in the testis; decreasing sperm motility and inhibiting the release of enzymes that let sperm penetrate the egg. It can also disrupt a woman's ovulatory cycle.

Better safe than sorry?
Echinacea is used to enhance the immune system, ginkgo biloba to improve memory and St. John's wort to treat depression. In a recent study high doses of each of these herbs have been shown to damage reproductive cells and prevent fertilization of eggs in laboratory hamsters. There have been no studies to date that show their effect on human fertility but you may want to reconsider using them while you are trying to conceive.

Weighty matters
You are most fertile when you are neither too thin nor too heavy. You need at least 18% body fat to ovulate and your best chance of conceiving is when 20-25% of your body mass is fat tissue. On the other hand, your monthly cycle can be disrupted by too much fat, which affects estrogen levels. Being 25% over your ideal weight can stop ovulation.

Don't douche
Douching can change the pH balance inside the vagina, altering it so that sperm are adversely affected. It can also wash away the cervical fluid that helps sperm through the cervix on their way to the egg.

De-stress
Stress can cause irregular ovulation or even stop your periods. It is important to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Try yoga or meditation to help de-stress or see a counselor to learn stress management techniques.

Happy hour
A couple's most fertile time of day is between 5pm and 7pm. The number and quality of sperm varies throughout the day, peaking in late afternoon with a sperm count that is 35% higher than it is in the morning. Since women are most likely to ovulate between 3 and 7, some researchers suggest couples leave work early for a baby-making rendezvous.

And, of course, it is essential that you have sex when you are fertile. You can determine when you are ovulating by using an ovulation detection kit or by practicing FAM (Fertility Awareness Method). By observing your waking temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position you can pinpoint the days when you are able to conceive. Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler has sample charts and detailed instructions on how to use FAM.

Lizzy Jo http://talk.sheknows.com/showthread.php?t=148751

Vitamins & Herbs That May Enhance Fertility in Women

Herbs

Chaste Tree Berry(Vitex Agnus): HORMONE REGULATOR. Stimulates the pituitary gland to produce leutenizing hormone, which leads to greater production of progesterone during the second half of a woman's cycle and may help premenstrual syndrome, amenorrhea, infertility, heavy or frequently occurring menses, hot flashes and other discomforts associated with menstruation, peri-menopause and menopause Discontinue use when pregnant. Like all herbs, Vitex works best when combined with a lifestyle that includes pure water, whole food, gentle exercise, and plenty of self-love..

Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis): HORMONE REGULATOR. Helpful in normalizing menstrual cycles. It is probably most beneficial to women who have irregular menstural cycles. It is thought that this herb is helpful in regulating cycles, particularly after stopping oral contraceptives. Regularity then makes ovulation more predictable. It is also known as a fertility enhancer. Best results occur during the days between ovulation and menstruation and discontinuing from the beginning of menstrual flow to ovulation.
Caution: take Dong Quai only in combination with other herbs. Discontinue using Dong Quai if pregnancy occurs.

Black Cohosh (Black snake root, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Squaw root, Richweed): RELIEVES MENSTRUAL CRAMPING. Is an herb that has traditionally been used for various "female problems" including postmenopausal symptoms and painful or irregular periods.
It helps increase fertility by regulating hormone production, especially after discontinuing the birth control pill.

Wild Yam Root (China Root, Colic Root, Devil's Bones): OVARIAN PAIN RELIEVER. RELIEVES MENSTRUAL CRAMPING. Is an herb thought to promote the production of progesterone in the body. It should be used only in the second half of a woman's menstrual cycle (after ovulation). When used in the first half of the cycle (prior to ovulation). This product should not be used prior to ovulation if you are trying to conceive

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO): INCREASES FERTILE QUALITY CERVICAL FLUID. This is to be taken from menstruation to ovulation. Because evening primrose oil is an essential fatty acid too - it is recommended to take flax seed oil from ovulation to menstruation. Essential fatty acids are an excellent brain foods - and flax seed oil is safe to take during pregnancy as well.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Can improve menstruation in women with irregular cycles. It may also help to restore hormonal balance in women with low estrogen. Licorice should not be used by women with heart conditions.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): The blossom may act as a fertility enhancer. It contains several estrogen-like compounds which may promote fertility in estrogen-deficient women

Red Raspberry Leaves (Rubus spp.): The benefits of drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and throughout pregnancy include: Increasing fertility in both men and women. Raspberry leaf is an excellent fertility herb when combined with Red Clover, preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus, Easing of morning sickness. Many attest to raspberry leaves' gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy.

Vitamins

Vitamin E: Helps balance hormone production, called the "sex hormone" as it carries oxygen to the sex organs.

Vitamin B-Complex: The B vitamin family maintains sex hormone levels, reduce stress, and important for reproductive gland function.

Iron: Supplements often help women to regain fertility if an iron deficit exists.

Folic Acid: At 400mcg is the recommended level for prevention of spina bifida and needs to be taken at least three months before conceiving.

Zinc: Regulates function of reproductive organs.

Vitamins & Herbs That May Enhance Fertility in Men

Vitamin C: Increases sperm motility, partly by preventing sperm from clumping together; this vitamin may be especially important for smokers, who tend to be deficient in it.

Panax Ginseng: Stimulates testosterone production and sperm formation. Rotate it every three weeks with Siberian ginseng, which may also raise sperm count.

Vitamin E: This potent antioxidant plays important roles in male sperm production. It is known that a lack of vitamin E inhibits the formation of sperm, and even if the animal is supplemented with vitamin E later in life, this deficiency may cause life time reproductive damage. Further, low vitamin E levels can cause a decline in the formation of key sex hormones and enzymes responsible for sperm production.

Flaxseed Oil: Provides essential fatty acids that among other functions help keep sperm healthy.

Zinc: Plays a crucial role in male reproduction, increasing testosterone production and raising sperm count. (Take it with copper, because zinc inhibits the body's absorption of this mineral.)

Amino Acid Arginine: Can enhance sperm motility and increase the sperm count; three months of arginine treatment is sufficient to correct any deficiency that may be contributing to infertility.

Lizzy Jo http://talk.sheknows.com/showthread.php?t=35116