Postby pie81 » Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:54 pm
timing is really important, I used cheap ovulation sticks from Amazon to tell me when to focus our efforts. You are most fertile for a few days before you ovulate and then one or two days after, so don't wait till you get a positive ovulation result to start DTD (doing the deed). If you don't want to use the ovulation tests then every other day is the safest approach.
6 month of trying is the average I believe (plus or minus a month or two depending on your age) so don't panic if nothing happens for a few months. Apparently 80% get pregnant within a year.
Howver if there is an underlying fertility issue then the best timing in the world won't get you pregnant. GPs will run tests after 6 months of trying if you are over 35 (I think) or 12 months of trying if you are under 35. They run tests to see if you are ovulating and test various hormone levels. They should also check your thyroid. Oh and your partner should have a sperm check too at that stage. The next steps depend on the results: eg if you are not ovulating you could have Clomid which is a drug that encourages ovulation, if you have thyroid issues that will be medicated, you may be referred for a scan to have your tubes checked, etc.
Note that the ovulation kits and sticks do not show you are definitely ovulating even if you get a positive. They test for the hormone which surges just before you ovulate, but it is possible to have the hormone surge and still not actually be ovulating. You need the GP tests to be sure.