Introduction
Here we get to the nitty-gritty: How do you really make a baby? You have sex, of course. Yes, you need to try and predict your ovulation through charting your cycle, but if you and your partner don’t get busy, then your goal cannot be realized.

Obviously, it only takes one time to create a baby. In order to maximize your odds of conceiving, though, it is best to have intercourse at least a couple of times during your fertile time. After having read this book, you are aware of the infertile times of your cycle.

It is a good idea, however, to be sexually active throughout your cycle. Why?

1) Frequency of ejaculation can help improve the motility of sperm. It is not recommended that your partner refrain from ejaculation for more than a week.
2) Trying to conceive can be stressful for both partners. If you are only intimate in order to make a baby, then you are putting undue pressure on those few times that you engage in intercourse. Your partner may have a hard time a) getting or keeping an erection, or b) ejaculating. To avoid these situations, have sex throughout your cycle. Moreover, if you are having trouble predicting ovulation, this strategy will maximize your chance for success.

How To

Yes, I realize that you know how to have sex. Try and think of this as baby making sex, however. It should be a bit different from your normal activities. Of course, just by having sex, you can get pregnant, but if you follow some of these tricks of the trade, then you will enhance your chances.

Many believe that baby making should be fun and spontaneous. Yes, you can have fun, but spontaneity should be reserved for your infertile times. Baby making requires planning to increase your chances of conceiving. After all, if you wanted to be spontaneous, you wouldn’t be reading this book.

Sperm Count

Sperm count is a key factor in conception. Total count, concentration, motility, abnormalities, etc. are all components of semen analysis (S/A). If your partner has been tested, then you are a step ahead of most couples. If your partner has not been tested, then it is best to assume a normal sperm count in the beginning of your trying to conceive journey.

Normal Sperm Count

It is necessary for your partner to build up his sperm count before starting the baby making process. A three day period of abstinence goes a long way in ensuring that there will be a sufficient concentration and number of sperm to get the job done. Remember that abstinence excludes all forms of ejaculation: oral sex, masturbation, intercourse, etc.

After your partner “suffers” through this three day period, have intercourse on a daily basis. Make sure that you are timing sex at least 24 hours apart, though. Your partner needs this time to “refuel”. This means that you do need to schedule your times of intimacy. Pick a time of day that you are both free and unencumbered.

Mona and her husband, Mike, decide that 10pm is the best time to engage in baby making sex. At this time, they are usually settling in to watch the news. They are relaxed and have finished all of the day’s chores and activities. Moreover, they have a sufficient amount of time and do not need to rush.

Mike and Mona’s Timetable:
1) They have intercourse on Monday night.
2) Mike then abstains until 10pm on Thursday night.
3) The couple then engages in baby making sex every night at 10pm from Thursday through Sunday.
4) Mona’s chart shows probable ovulation occurring on Saturday.

Low Sperm Count

For a low sperm count, you should be engaging in baby making sex every other day (48 hours apart) because your partner needs more time to “refuel” then a man with a normal sperm count needs. Abstaining from ejaculation for at least three days before you start your baby making schedule is still crucial.

Jeff has a low sperm count. He and his partner, Cara, decide that since they usually go to sleep at 11:30pm, they will start their baby making encounters at 10:30pm.

Jeff and Cara’s Timetable:
1) On Monday, Jeff masturbates. He then abstains until Thursday night (observing the three day rule).
2) The couple has intercourse Thursday, Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday nights at about 10:30pm.
3) Cara’s chart shows probable ovulation occurring on Tuesday.

It’s not Working!!

I had recommended that in the absence of any medical testing, you should assume that your partner has a normal sperm count. After a few non-successful cycles, however, a change can be made. You may decide to go with the low sperm count schedule of intercourse which is every 48 hours. You might, however, want to try a more moderate schedule of every 36 hours. The latter might be a little more tricky, schedule wise. As a couple, you will need to find two times during the day that are free and unencumbered. Obviously, this is a much easier scenario for a childless couple.

Lucy and Rob have been trying to conceive for four cycles. Rob has not had an S/A done, but they have assumed his count was normal, thus having intercourse daily. The couple decides that they would like to try the 36-hour method. Lucy needs to get up for work at 7am while Rob doesn’t need to arise until 8am. The couple decides to set the alarm for 6:15am and engage in baby making sex. They know that they will also have to have sex at around 7pm, about 36 hours later. This is also a good time for them because it is after dinner.

Lucy and Rob’s Timetable:
1) They engage in intercourse on Saturday morning.
2) Rob abstains until Tuesday morning (observing three day rule).
3) The couple then has sex at these times: 6:15am Tuesday, 7pm Wednesday, 6:15am Friday, and 7pm Saturday.
4) Lucy’s chart shows probable ovulation occurring on Friday.

NOTE: If you are having intercourse daily, then it is very important to leave 24 hours in between “sessions”, allowing time for your partner to rebuild his sperm count. If you are following a 36-hour or 48-hour schedule then being off by a couple of hours will not be as much of a problem.

Pattern

Practice makes perfect. It is much easier to plan your intercourse timing and frequency when you have charted at least two cycles (three or more is better) because then you will have an idea of your personal pattern. You will want to know at what point in your cycle you usually ovulate. This does not mean that you have to state: “I ovulate on cycle day X”. Although this is ideal, it is not realistic that you will ovulate on the exact same cycle day each month. It is more probably that you will be able to state a range: “I will probably ovulate sometime between cycle day X and Z.

It is ideal to engage in at least two baby making encounters before your ovulation date, to try and ensure fertilization.

O Day is the Best Day???

Many women think that if they have intercourse on ovulation day, then they will have done their best. This is a misconception for three reasons:
1) Many women notice that their peak day (last day of fertile quality cervical fluid (CF)) actually occurs one day before ovulation. Since fertile quality CF is the best medium of transportation for the sperm, it would stand to reason that your peak day is the best day to engage in baby making sex.
2) Many women begin to dry up on ovulation day. Sticky CF or no CF will be a major hindrance to the sperm’s motility.
3) It is best for the sperm to be in the fallopian tubes before the egg is released. It may take hours for the sperm to travel to the fallopian tubes. Unless you know the exact hour that you are going to ovulate, having intercourse on ovulation day can be a hit or miss prospect.

So if the peak day is the best day, then what? Obviously, if you are having sex daily, then hitting the peak day is no problem. If you are having sex every other day, it can be tricky. Try your best to include the peak day, but don’t fret if it’s not possible. Remember that sperm can live for five to six days in fertile quality fluid. If you have two days of eggwhite CF, and you have sex on one of them, then you are golden. Even if you miss your eggwhite day, but hit your creamy CF day, then you will still have a great shot.

Positions

Many women want to know what the best position is for baby making sex. There are two that I favor, missionary and rear entry. The one position that you definitely want to avoid is woman-on-top. The problem with this position is simply gravity. When your partner ejaculates while you are on top, there is an increased chance that the sperm will leak out. Missionary is usually the favored position, but rear entry has a distinct advantage of depositing the sperm closer to your cervix.

NOTE: Rear entry can be more of a disadvantage if your partner ejaculates too deeply, creating a pool of sperm behind your cervix. To minimize this risk, your partner should pullback slightly just before ejaculating.

To Recline is Divine

After intercourse, it is preferable that you lie down on your back for at least 15 minutes with your hips elevated. This practice will allow the sperm time to begin their journey to the fallopian tubes without having to fight gravity. To elevate your hips, put a pillow underneath your bottom. Have your partner turn on the TV for you or better yet use the time to talk about your day with your significant other. 15-30 minutes is all you need to allow the sperm to get a head start.

Have a Tilted Uterus?

20% of women have a tilted uterus. This means that the uterus tips either forwards or backwards (anteflexed or retroflexed). Having a tilted uterus does not decrease your chances of conceiving. It is actually considered to be akin to being left-handed. You can improve your chances by engaging in rear entry intercourse, however. Also, it is recommended that instead of lying on your back for 15-30 minutes after intercourse, you lie on your stomach instead. Put a pillow underneath the upper part of your thigh for elevation.

Things to Avoid

1) Saliva: it can kill sperm. It is best not to engage in oral sex before you have intercourse.
2) Some commercial lubricants: many of them will decrease your chances of conceiving. If you must use lubrication, real eggwhites are ideal. Also, a new product, Pre~Seed Intimate Moisturizer, has been receiving rave reviews from women, so it may be worth a try.
3) Woman-on-top position: it should be avoided at time of ejaculation.
4) Getting up immediately after intercourse: if possible, give the sperm some time to travel by lying down afterwards.

Happy Baby Making!

Visit the Baby Making 101 official website today: Your How to Get Pregnant Eguide

Copyright 2006, LeeRay Publishing, LLC

Addie resides in Michigan with her husband and two young sons. She wrote Baby Making 101: A Comprehensive Guide to the Tools of the Trying to Conceive Trade. It can be found at Your How to Get Pregnant Eguide

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