How often and when do I need to have intercourse to fall pregnant?

It is surprising at how little this is understood amongst couples who are trying to conceive. For reproductive purposes it is only necessary to have intercourse close to the time of ovulation. It is also important to note that an egg only survives for short time after ovulation. So, if you wait until you have ovulated before you have intercourse, the sperm will most likely not get to the egg in time. The optimal timing of intercourse is just before and at the time you expect to ovulate. This will allow the sperm to be ready in place and waiting for the egg. At the Fertility and IVF Acupuncture Clinic, patients are encouraged to use historical information from basal body temperature (BBT) charts are used to anticipate ovulation. The use of an Ovulation Predictor Kit is also encouraged.

The second issue which needs to be considered is the reproductive health of the male. If you are unsure of this status, an andrology test is recommended. An andrology test enquires into the volume, morphology (shape) and motility (movement) of the sperm. If all is well, you can have intercourse as often as you like before ovulation. If the andrology test shows a problem, it is best to have intercourse less frequently. It is often recommended to wait until a few days before ovulation, then have intercourse every second day up until after ovulation is evident. Sperm will last 48 hours inside the womb, so this method will help your chances.

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