ASK THE AUTHORS

Anechka asks:-
My husband is azoospermic so we need to use a donor to conceive. However despite being 35, I have been diagnosed with premature ovarian aging and have high FSH. We have one failed IVF behind us and our doctors have told us to try a few donor IUIs before going on to donor eggs. We really don't want to give up on my fertility so my question to you is what can I do to maximise my chances with my remaining eggs?
Thanks so much
Anechka

Dear Anecka,
We don't think you should use fertility drugs to "make more eggs" which may make your FSH levels higher. Your natural eggs are probably better quality than ones subjected to fertility drugs. Before resorting to donor eggs you should check for infection of the cervix AND your husbands semen (even though he has no sperm). If you are having sex with him he may still contribute to any infection. Check for routine bacteria, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and chlymadia for both of you. Follow the fertility plan for the dry type for three months before having your FSH levels checked again. In Jill's experience Chinese herbs may help lower your FSH.
Good Luck
Dr. Sami and Jill

Eleanor asks:-
The Dr has told me I have a strep b infection in my cervix but they
won't give me antibiotics until I go into labour (I've been trying to conceive for 14 months with no success). Could the Strep b be affecting my fertility?

Jill answers:
Any infection can potentially prevent or damage a pregnancy. It is important to culture your partner's sperm for a similar infection. Also
it would be helpful to know if it is a "heavy" growth or only "scant"
growth.

Alison for New Jersey asks:-
I'm on the Atkin's Diet and loving how much weight I'm losing. I've been trying to conceive for a year without much success. Could my diet be the problem?

Jill answers:
Yes, Alison, it could I'm afraid. Whilst it's good to maintain a healthy weight in order to get pregnant it's important to do this in a healthy way and by eating a balanced diet. Your body does need some carbohydrates to maintain hormone levels. In Making Babies we suggest that you don't cut out carbs altogether, just choose them wisely focussing on complex carbohydrates such as those found in whole grains. 

Your question made me think about something else though, Alison. Your diet could be a factor in your failure to conceive, but it may not be and in view of the fact that you have been trying to conceive for a year I wanted to make sure that you have seen your doctor for proper diagnosis. If not I would make an appointment and ask for some of the tests mentioned in our book. At the same time you could follow the Making Babies Program for your type for three months and see if that helps you. Please let us know how you are getting on.

Wendy from New York asks:-
What's the best sexual position for conceiving and is it important to have an orgasm?

Jill answers:
Hi Wendy. These are a good questions and ones we get asked a lot. The missionary position is the best one to use if you are trying to conceive because it allows for penetration closest to the cervix. It's not vital for you to orgasm although it is more fun! There is some evidence that during an orgasm, the uterus contracts, causing a vacuum effect which could theoretically move sperm up into the uterus but no-one really knows how important this is and it's certainly true that women who don't orgasm do get pregnant without problems. In Making Babies we do encourage our readers to take some time for foreplay. For one thing this helps sex not to be so stressful when you are trying to conceive and for another sexual stimulation improves cervical mucus and increases the flow of hormones which can be helpful. In addition one study found that men who were turned on by their partners had higher sperm counts than men who masturbated alone. So our advice is to take time to make the process of making babies a loving and connected one.

Cathy from New York asks:-
I've read that you shouldn't use lubricants when your trying for a baby. What can you use?

Jill answers: -
You're right, Cathy and thank you for your question. Sexual lubricants can interfere with conception. They are too acidic for the sperm to survive and the concentration of salts in most lubricants can cause sperm to shrink or swell and make them behave abnormally. In Making Babies we recommend Pree-Seed Lubricant which is specially designed for couples trying to conceive. A Cleveland Clinic study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that pre-seed was the only lubricant that didn't decrease sperm motility or compromise sperm DNA.

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