Parenting

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Trying to conceive: does body type really matter?


Trying to make a baby can become a complicated business that leads to all sorts of questions -- am I ovulating, how much sex should we have, will it help if I have an orgasm, what will happen if I take Clomid? Another question TTC mamas sometimes wonder about is body type.

Are curvy women more fertile than those with a thinner shape? Does that round, busty Earth Mama type have a better shot at becoming a mama than I do?

According to an expert in an article on ConceiveOnline -- one that addresses several don't-be-too-embarrassed-to-ask questions -- "fertile women come in all sizes," and women of all body types are able to get pregnant. Some research has shown that women with bigger boobs and smaller waists have higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, hormones associated with fertility, during their periods. But that doesn't necessarily translate to pregnancy rates.

Besides, bottom line, as the article notes -- you can't do a thing about your body type. So focus instead on timing sex during your most fertile period.

Adds one CafeMom: "Try not thinking about it. I can remember wanting another baby, but it never happened. So I just forgot about it, thinking there was a reason for it, and no more than four months later I was pregnant again. Be patient and don't rush!"

What have you found most helpful in understanding the baby making process? Using an ovulation predictor kit? Working with a specialist? Share with other moms.

Written by Melisa Coburn on CafeMom.com

Related posts:

10 ways to boost fertility
Should a 60 year old be allowed to have twins?
How to track your cycle

Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 11
  • SusieQ's Avatar
    Posted by SusieQ Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:13pm PDT

    This has nothing to do with TRYING to conceive.However, I am a 40 yr old woman wanting to have a tubal reversal, so that I can conceive again. I would really like to have some feed back on insurances that help in this process or what does aperson say to an insurance co. to get assistance, what do I need to do and how do I go about it. i do know that it will cost me $5900 to have the procedure done. I was not going to ever do this but I am a women that has had three children and raised two beautiful kids and my last my youngest past away at the age of 4 months. I feel I've had an empty hole in my life since that day and have made the decision to go ahead and have a reversal and feel complete again. I just felt as if I had the best of me stolen and am ready to accept the past for what it is and ready to go forward and try again. ???????????????

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  • ERICA DANIELLA's Avatar
    Posted by ERICA DANIELLA Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:55pm PDT

    This is interesting... My husband & I have been trying to conceive for years & No Such Luck Yet I was always told even by my Doctors that I should try losing some weight I weigh 160 & also try not to think about conceiving so much- well it hasnt worked yet. Im starting to doubt that it ever will. ( but I will keep trying)

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  • df5145's Avatar
    Posted by df5145 Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:16pm PDT

    I was REALLY disappointed in this article. I'm 34 yrs. old and heavy. I've had doctors tell me that losing weight would help, and then I've had doctors tell me that my weight isn't an issue that it's all about my horomones. I was really looking forward to reading an informative article that might give me, and women like me, hope. What I got instead was a blurb from someone who thinks that 4 months is a long time to try to concieve... well bite it sister, try 4 years!

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  • someday85's Avatar
    Posted by someday85 Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:24pm PDT

    This artical is crap! "Just relax" ... If that actually worked I probably would have a baby by now and I would still have that wheel barrel load of money I paid my doctor to get me pregnant. By the way that hasn't worked yet either.

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  • Mary Frei's Avatar
    Posted by Mary Frei Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:46pm PDT

    Back when Demi Moore was having her kids there was a big deal made of the fact that she went to a chiropractor every month before and while she was pregnant. They said that by keeping her body in line it helped her get pregnant and then have a good pregnancy and easy childbirth.

    My story: I had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years. I threw my back out taking golf lessons. Went to the chiropractor and got my back and the rest of me all put into place and 3 months later I was pregnant. I went to the chiropractor once a month during my pregnancy and I had a very quick and easy labor & delivery. Maybe coincidence but maybe not...

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  • __A_YAHOO_USER__'s Avatar
    Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:32pm PDT

    Not a mom, but a dad. My wife and I never used fertility drugs or anything. We had no problem... until the last three months. She has been wanting another (our youngest just turned one) with no success, yet. I think that when God decides to bless us with another he will. For it is his will not mine. I don't know if that helps anyone, but it tends to help me.

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  • Brittany's Avatar
    Posted by Brittany Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:54pm PDT

    My husband and i have been trying for only a small amount of time, does anyone have any suggestions?

    this article wasn't any help...i could have written it. It sounds like they are just writing a school report on a book they haven't read yet.

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  • Heather -HH-'s Avatar
    Posted by Heather -HH- Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:19am PDT

    We have been trying to have a baby for about 7 or 8 months. Im getting scared that something may be wrong with me. We have gotton to the point where we dont think about it anymore. Use to, I wanted to have sex with baby on my mind, now we do it with fun and excitiment on our minds. We have sex 3 times a week, I DONT chart my ovulation anymore, so.....FINGERS CROSSED !!!

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  • MANDILOXX's Avatar
    Posted by MANDILOXX Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:34am PDT

    Wow... a lot of frustration directed toward the writer about fertility concerns (not all of you, of course). But I get it... it's a lonely feeling to not get pregnant when you are ready for a child, and it seems like every teenage girl in America has acheived what you can only hope for. I've been trying for 5 years now and nada.

    My thoughts about this article: The title asked a question, and the middle paragraph gave the answer... simple as it was.

    What I believe: I will become pregnant if/when I'm supposed to be pregnant. Sometimes we desire those things which we cannot change.

    Finally, my advice to all: This poor writer could in no way know what words we need to hear, they just answered a factual question! #1-Get a physical and in-depth OBGYN check up... make sure you (and your partner) are healthy, and then if there's nothing to fix, BE PATIENT. #2-Sure, knowing when you ovulate can help, but worrying with it can kill your sex life... why not just go at it like bunnies- as often as possible (daily?)! It's good cardio and helps your relationship, whereas stress does not. The gift of life is magic, and those of us who thought a baby might not be possible will probably appreciate it more than if it had happened easily... NO MATTER WHAT OUR "BODY SHAPE"!!!

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  • MANDILOXX's Avatar
    Posted by MANDILOXX Mon Apr 20, 2009 1:09am PDT

    I guess I believe in patience because my mother tried to have a baby for 12 years, then at 35 yrs old, she had me. Her mother had her at 35, also. I'm 28... maybe when I'm 35! Until then, I'm just savoring life as it comes, even though I'd love to have a little one. I just got a puppy- she's kinda' my baby, for now. (=

    Maybe some ladies should consider getting a dog to focus their maternal energy on... work on training it to be loving and protective, then your baby will be well protected in a couple of years.....

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