If you are trying to conceive but are having trouble, it sometimes takes a little extra effort on the part of you and your partner.  It doesn’t just “happen” to some couples, who need to go through a little bit more in order to conceive a child.

The first step is to document your cycles.  Buy a calendar and write down when you are getting your period each month.  Use the first real day of your menstrual cycle as day 1 and march out every day until you get your period.  On average, a menstrual cycle lasts 28 days.

The days you are most likely to get pregnant are the two days before ovulation and the day of ovulation, although people have gotten pregnant as early as six days before ovulation.  The time of ovulation on a 28 day cycle is day 14.  This means you should have sex on days 12-14 for sure.

If your cycles are irregular or longer, the date of ovulation is 14 days before you expect to get your next period.  If you have completely irregular cycles, buy an ovulation test kit that can show you the expected days of ovulation and try to get pregnant on those days.  If you are not ovulating at all, see your doctor about getting on a medication that stimulates ovulation.

The medication is taken on days 5-9 of the cycle and triggers ovulation, presuming all other things are right.  Use an ovulation test kit to confirm that the medication is working.

Excessive caffeine in the diet can contribute to fertility problems and can restrict the growth of the growing fetus.  Keep your consumption to about a cup of caffeinated coffee a day or less.  If either you or your partner works in a hazardous substance area, consider a change in jobs.  Exposure to certain hazardous substances can contribute to infertility issues.  Such substances can affect the embryo.

In some cases, nothing seems to work and it is time to have an exam with a gynecologist who can determine if the fallopian tubes are open and what the hormonal environment is all about.  Your doctor may have you do basal body temperature tests at home to see if you are ovulating in the first place.

Make sure you are not taking any medications that impair fertility and stop them until you get pregnant or perhaps throughout a pregnancy as well.  Having the help of a gynecologist can be important in getting pregnant.