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brandonsbabi · Jan 11, 2012, 12:49 PM

I have been trying to get pregnant for about 8 months now, and I still aren't having any luck. What should I do?

DoulaLC · Jan 11, 2012, 05:14 PM

Hi brandonsbabi... welcome to AMHD,

What have you tried so far in terms of determining when you might be ovulating? Some women will try temping and charting, some will use ovulation predictor tests, some will watch for changes in cervical mucus and position.

I know eight months feels like a long time when you are hoping something happens soon. Most couples will become pregnant within the first year of actively trying. Some will take a bit longer even when there is no fertility concern.

Have you used any form of birth control prior to trying? Depo Provera, for example, can frequently cause a lapse in fertility for quite awhile for many women.

brandonsbabi · Jan 12, 2012, 10:48 AM

I've been marking it in my calendar, and I have tried many different times.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 12, 2012, 11:23 AM

Ok, how are you marking it, are you merely going by your period dates or are you actually finding the actual fertile times by other methods.

brandonsbabi · Jan 12, 2012, 11:33 AM

I mark the days of my periods, and people tell me that I shoul wait 12 to 14 days before actually trying to get pregnant. I don't know what to do.

DoulaLC · Jan 15, 2012, 01:18 PM

I wouldn't wait 12-14 days as you might be missing your most fertile time without realising it. A good starting place is about 12-16 days before you would expect the next period, but that is just a guide. You may ovulate a bit sooner than the norm or a bit later.

If possible have sex every other day throughout your cycle. You can also watch for possible changes in your cervical mucus. When ovulation is approaching, discharge often becomes clearer, and more fluid. This allows sperm to survive a few days while waiting for an egg to be released. The egg is only viable for about 12-24 hours. It helps to have the sperm ready and waiting. If you notice this change in cervical mucus, that is when to start trying... and continue for several days.

Even with good timing, however, it can still take awhile so try not to get too discouraged. Not easy to do, I know.

You may also find using ovulation predictor tests helpful, some women do, or temping and charting your temperature to watch for a shift. Both of these can take a few months before you start to notice a pattern. Some women find them frustrating, some women find they do the trick in helping to get a better idea of when ovulation might be happening.