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Trying to conceive a baby can be a very frustrating experience. After a few months, many couples start to approach conception as a job or problem, to be tackled scientifically. If conception is eluding you, there are several things you can try.

One thing you should do is use sexual positions designed to increase the chances for the sperm to meet the egg. The basic position for conception is commonly known as the missionary position, or man-on-top. The woman should be flat on her back, or she may place a small pillow under her lower back. This allows the sperm to swim up the cervix more easily. A large pillow should not be used, however, as this may cause the sperm to gather behind the cervix. If the woman has a tipped uterus, which is easily determined by her doctor, it may work better to have sex from behind, also known as the hands and knees position. After sex, raising the legs 30 degrees relaxes the cervical and vaginal muscles, and will further allow movement of the sperm.

As much as the proper positioning can help, improper positioning can hurt. It is important to avoid having sex in the woman-on-top position, or while the woman is standing or sitting. While it is certainly possible to get pregnant in this position, it does decrease the chances, as more of the sperm is likely to leak out.

Another factor is the timing of intercourse. The usual recommendation is to concentrate your efforts during ovulation generally during days 10 through 14 of a woman's cycle. However, many women do not conform to the usual cycle of 28 days, so the window of opportunity may need to be expanded to encompass days 8 through 16, to increase the odds. To determine your own peak period of fertility, watch for an increase in wet cervical fluid. This will precede your own fertile period. To make it easier, there are a variety of websites that will help you track your cycles and determine your likely ovulation dates. If you feel the need to be more specific in determining your ovulation window, there are a number of ovulation predictor kits that are now sold over the counter.

During the ovulation window, many people have sex as often as possible, assuming this will give them the greatest chance of conception. However, the sperm count may take up to 48 hours to reach fully fertile levels in the man's body. Therefore, it is best to have sex on days 10, 12, and 14. The best odds are achieved by using the greatest number of mature sperm possible.

The final key to conception is good nutrition and avoidance or moderate use of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drugs. This is important for both the mother and the father. If the body is not healthy, the cells it produces will not be healthy. Folic acid supplements may help. But excess Vitamin C in the body turns to oxalic acid, which is fatal to sperm.

None of these methods will guarantee conception, but for most couples, using these methods for six months will give them the child they desire. If all home remedies have been tried for several months and conception has still not occurred, it may be time to talk to your doctor.

Learn more about this author, Tamara Kelly.
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