slightly dim question..

[fandango75]

hello

have DS1 who is 2.5 alas he was a happy little suprise. So DH and I TTC no 2 but have really long cycle (32 - 37 days).

For 2 months tried and no luck but wasn't sure i was working out ovulation. So bought kit. Actually ovulated much later than i thought i would - jumped in the sack for 2 consecutive days once got the 'go ahead' so to speak.

my question is this this - if i am ovulating and shag... i should get pregnant (if sperm all good)? shouldn't i?

Being quite a logical person with a total lack of scientific knowledge I am deducing that hey pronto all should go smoothly.... alas seems this is not the case for alot of people, can someone explain to me why? Is it hormone levels? Egg health?

sorry i know this seems ridiculous

thanks

[MissTinaTeaspoon]

If only it was that simple! Firstly the sperm have to survive the journey, and be in the right place at the right time. Then even if one hits the target and the egg gets fertilised, a large percentage (I think as high as 60% but I could be wrong!) will not implant because of genetic errors or just not getting into a good position in the uterus. That's why it can take healthy couples up to a year to get lucky.

Good luck!

[eurochick]

Hmm, it's not quite that simple. Here are a few of the potential issues:
egg health
hormone levels not high enough to trigger ovulation
hormone levels not high enough to sustain a pregnancy
sperm quality
chromosome abnormalities meaning embryo does not survive for more than a few days
thickness of womb lining
inadequate blood supply to uterus
immune issues meaning the body attacks embryos as foreign invaders

And many others.

That said, many people do manage to get pregnant v quickly and with no problems!

[fandango75]

super thanks ladies thats a real help - had no idea what these things could be

Much appreciated

[AliceWhirledSupportsTheStrike]

I'm no expert, seriously, but don't you jump in the sack prior to ovulation. Eggs only last 12-24 hours but sperm last up to 7 days, or something. So sperm has to be there ready and waiting. Don't take my word for it though

[fandango75]

i thought the point of the ovulation testing kits were to tell you when you are ovulating (or just about to) and therefore at your most fertile - it tells you to get to it for 48 hours after you show the hormone surge.

i don't bloody know. am clueless! hence i am on here

[AliceWhirledSupportsTheStrike]

Ah well if that's what the instructions say I'm probably wrong. Ignore me.

[AliceWhirledSupportsTheStrike]

Yes I misunderstood what the kits do. Sorry.

[havealittlefaithbaby]

Best thing to do is have sex at least 3 times a week every week to increase the likelihood of conception. If you've only been ttc a couple of months I would suggest just shagging! Trying to time intercourse takes all the fun out of it. Most couples conceive within a year (80%) so give it some time and enjoy the shagging!

[fandango75]

shagging every 3 days is not an option as my husband is away a lot and so have to be a little clinical and will inevitably miss the boat some months, cannot shag the invisible man if you catch my drift

[NervousNelly]

As have says, Just Shagging is a good start! I've read somewhere (on the Internet so it must be true) that sperm actually need time to "get ready" to fertilise the egg, so I reckon the science is beyond me, and I just keep getting OH to inject fresh supplies

I'm on a thread called Just Shagging, designed for those that want to avoid becoming too obsessed. It's currently called something like JSing Viroids, on your marks, get set, Shag. On phone so can't check. Sounds like you should join too, Have

[havealittlefaithbaby]

Thanks for the offer, I should have joined this time last year! I caved and started the charting / analysis after one year ttc! So not sure I'd fit in now!