TTC Girl- April 2012

[prayforprincess]

I really like reading that because that's the part about my upcoming cycle I'm still questioning. We did one attempt for cycle one (BFN) and four attempts right around +opk for cycle two (BFN); for cycle three, we're planning to switch to FR instead of abstain. But I'm wondering how many BD sessions I ought to plan on. It confuses me: We do things to lower sperm (tighty-whites, FR or abstain, etc.) ... but aren't we overriding all that if we put lots of sperm on the scene through frequent BD?

How many attempts are those of you who are TTC planning for this month? Or for those of you who are expecting, how many attempts did you use during your successful month?

I'll still be using RepHresh, so I'm not as concerned about the pH of frequent BD ... but the sperm count issue does niggle at me. Ack -- what to do?

Having multiple attempts will not override what you are doing to sway -- it may actually be some women's (most women's) only way of conceiving while swaying pink.
There is no way of knowing for sure, but more than likely dtd multiple times while swaying pink still might give you less sperm than dtd only once in optimal conditions.
Think of it -- your dh has not release in about 4 days, then you dtd o-2. He has optimal sperm count and you are using nothing. Roughly 50-300 million sperm are released and only about 3 million get thru your cervix, and of that only about 250 tops reaches the egg (fact). And for many many many women, that still is not enough and they are less likely to get pg only dtd once in their fertile window.
Now think of us lady swayers -- dh is releasing daily (or abstaining) to lessen his sperm count, you are taking zyrtec to dry up your cm hence making is difficult for ALL sperm to swim, and you are using rephresh and lord knows what else (and sylk, or replens etc) which all lowers sperm count more by killing or road blocking even more sperm. I am willing to bet, from the optimal 3 mil thru ur cervix and 250 sperm that make it to your egg -- when doing all the above, only about 500,000 get thru your cervix and maybe 40 get to your egg...and that is probably a high guesstimate.
Now you understand why you might have to dtd multiple times in order to conceive? And many believe that it only takes one sperm but that is not true. It takes many many sperm to start eating away at the outer layer of the egg before one reaches close enough inside the layer to actually penetrate the egg. 1 sperm cannot possibly get thru the outer layer alone to reach the egg. So yes, it takes one sperm to fertilize the egg, but it takes many sperm to help get it there.

Honestly, all the road blocks do is lower sperm count -- its not like it kills the boys or anything. Like doing all that will ensure all the xy sperm are dead -- we wish! In lowering sperm count, whatever makes it will still roughly be 50/50 male to female. So that is why ultimately -- your diet, supplements and overall maternal condition is what is doing your sway; and all that other stuff may only be swaying for you about 2-3% tops. You can do all the girl dtd method and have a boy friendly diet, and more than likely conceive a boy even though you lowered sperm count and used rephresh etc.
So, please don't torture yourself Drama -- you are so strict on the diet and that is your ultimate weapon. Its ok to let some sperm up there, its the only way you will get pregnant. How much sperm is there will not determine whether the xx or xy penetrate thru your egg...its your diet and maternal condition that will.

[KraizyDaizy]

It takes many many sperm to start eating away at the outer layer of the egg before one reaches close enough inside the layer to actually penetrate the egg. 1 sperm cannot possibly get thru the outer layer alone to reach the egg. So yes, it takes one sperm to fertilize the egg, but it takes many sperm to help get it there.

This makes me feel so much better about our frequent DTD. Your numbers certainly helped me put my mind more at ease.

With my boys, I keep remembering when I found out what CM was that you needed to DTD before you saw EWCM, so that is what we did and have 4 boys, so this way I am not just trying before the EWCM, I am DTD straight through, so maybe there is a little girl in there that will meet the egg and all her bros can help her make her way through to fertilizaton LOL!!!

I really wonder about DH count and maybe that why we have not gotten pregnant, my DH sperm count may be way too low now? but if it is low is frequesnt DTD a good thing or bad?

[nks798]

thanks, ladies. I feel so much better. I'm thinking we might BD a lot this cycle and see what happens. maybe more than once a day.. if I am not too umm.. how can I put it, raw? down there lol. with ds, we were BD'ing once every other day or every 2 days. plus, I was on a way boy friendly diet. I'm putting 110% on the diet and trying to relax with everything else, as far as timing goes and jellies. going to take cranberry and folic acid.. probably dropping vitex.

[mydream]

Good plan nks! I like it a lot. With both my sons I did not do FR - ib fact it was more like abstain before bd and only bd like every other day. This time did FR and multiple attempts. Sometimes twice a day. Keeping fingers crossed!

[HopeandDreamG]

Didn't read post from today yet. Have to go in office just an update. Tests still positive. Saved pee in cup and went out for more frer's had cheapies but wanted them too. Both positive. Get blood test 8am should have results by afternoon!

[KraizyDaizy]

Didn't read post from today yet. Have to go in office just an update. Tests still positive. Saved pee in cup and went out for more frer's had cheapies but wanted them too. Both positive. Get blood test 8am should have results by afternoon!

Simply wonderful!!! Can't wait to hear your results, which I already know is a BFP!!!

[Mochagirl]

I certainly hope frequent BD sways girl, since DH and I BD 6 days in a row when we conceived this little bean! I guess I'll know in 2 days whether or not it worked...

[prayforprincess]

This makes me feel so much better about our frequent DTD. Your numbers certainly helped me put my mind more at ease.

With my boys, I keep remembering when I found out what CM was that you needed to DTD before you saw EWCM, so that is what we did and have 4 boys, so this way I am not just trying before the EWCM, I am DTD straight through, so maybe there is a little girl in there that will meet the egg and all her bros can help her make her way through to fertilizaton LOL!!!

I really wonder about DH count and maybe that why we have not gotten pregnant, my DH sperm count may be way too low now? but if it is low is frequesnt DTD a good thing or bad?

It depends on your dh. If he has a lower sperm count to begin with, then dtd daily will lower it possibly too much. With men who already have a low sperm count, dtd daily is not recommended. If fact, if he has a low sperm count already, then it is not necessary to lower it more by having him fr until attempts etc.
And at most, I would say then dtd every 36 hours, but not every 24. More ideally if his count is low, then dtd every 48 hours. That allows enough time so that sperm are "there" -- where as every 24 hours there may be so few, that is if he has a low count.
Many men are fine, and dtd daily does not effect their count at all. Some can dtd 2x daily and still have a decent count. But some men with a low count, if they dtd 2x daily they will be shooting blanks. KWIM?
So, it really depends on your dh. If you are having trouble getting pg dtd daily for months now then I would hold back. Either do not have him fr til your attempts and only start dtd daily when you begin your attempts. Or cut back and only have him release/attempts every 36-48 hours from af-o. If his count is low, then releasing every 48 hours from af-o is lowering his count enough -- a count that is already low.

[KraizyDaizy]

Great points PFP. I really don't know if it's low or not. We have the kit waiting for us at the front desk of our OBGYN to see, but we have not done it yet. Is there any ways to tell without the analysis?

[KraizyDaizy]

SMILEY +OPK, I GOTTA SMILEY!!!! I guess I am Oing today. Been having pains in my left ovary for once!!!! Normally always on the right!!! Can you tell I am excited LOL!!!!!!Lord, please let this be my month!!!!!