When abstaining, how long is too long???

DH and I are abstaining from AF to fade-in OPK. Last month I got fade-in on CD15. This month DH and I did not dtd for a couple of days before AF came (not on purpose we were just really busy those days) so our abstinence will be more like 16-17-18 days. Is this too long? DH is young (yes, younger than me!!), not even 30 yet and very healthy so I am assuming his sperm quality is quite good, but I am concerned that it will be too long. Should we scrap the plan this month and wait until next month and try for a slightly shorter abstain?

read this!
http://genderdreaming.com/forum/ttc-...ff-o-12-a.html

Thanks for the link! I did read everything and am assuming that the 7-10 rule is a minimum for abstaining and not an actual exact time frame to meet?

I think that 7 - 10 is a minimum, and after that the sperm are "too old".

It's not ideal, but if you feel ok with your sway in other ways and DH is young, it may be a chance you're willing to take.

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Originally Posted by The Anchor

I think that 7 - 10 is a minimum, and after that the sperm are "too old".

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7-10 minimum, and I like people to do no more than 14. But, I do know of some people who have done it (on InGender). it's not like flipping a light switch where 14 is ok and 15 is terrible, it's just a general guideline - use your own judgement.

Is it not ideal because it raises the risk of birth defects ? Or because it doesnt sway?

Because it ~may~ raise rates of birth defects and it WILL make it way harder to get pg. It probably does sway pink.

For a thorough explanation of why this is, please read this essay. http://genderdreaming.com/forum/gend...frequency.html

Thanks!! Im 32 and DH is......gulp......23! :omg: Yes, yes, I know its a big age difference but we barely even notice it. At his age, Im feeling like I have a little more wiggle room to play with in the sperm viability department.

Gosh If any of you can get your d/h to abstain for more then 7 days is fantastic! If mine did happen to go over 7 days I am sure those nasty dreams would take over!!!!