Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!
-Dr. Seuss

When you are experiencing infertility you assume that you are just missing something and if you could just figure out what it is, you can fix it.  We have tried all kinds of things in attempt to create our family....some sensible, some completely nuts.  But in hindsight they were all worth it.  Everything we tried gave us hope...and hope kept us going.

We tried ovulation tests.  They are expensive and for me entirely useless.  Maybe I wasn't smart enough to time them correctly.  If that's the case, maybe I wasn't smart enough to time the whole thing anyway?  If you think that ovulation tests could be your next "answer" check out http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/. They sell them in bulk and for cheap.  Hopefully you don't need them in bulk, but in my experience....  While you are there, get yourself a pack of 100 pregnancy tests.  It could be fun and you will need them eventually.

We tried sex every day for a month.  You know...in case we weren't timing it right.  I know there are people out there who are thinking this would be fun, but unfortunately purposeful sex lacks the spur of the moment excitement...and you still have to do it even if you have the flu.  Should you try it? That's completely up to you.

We tried the temperature charts.  If you are charting, check out http://www.fertilityfriend.com/.  Another great way to take the fun out of sex and the funny thing about this one is it only tells you when you have already ovulated.  Nothing like too little too late.

Acupuncture.  I really enjoyed acupuncture.  How many people have an excuse to lay absolutely still for at least 1/2 hour every week?  I am a science kind of person, so I'm not sure what it is about acupuncture that helps with conception.  But there are studies that say that acupuncture can improve the success rate of IVF.  Acupuncture is a lot cheaper than repeated IVF so why not give it a shot?  Whether it is balancing the chi or just the fact that you are relaxing, acupuncture has made a believer out of me.  In Saskatoon, check out the Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre. Watch out for the herbs though...they taste pretty bad.

While we are on the topic of relaxation, you can always check out massage therapy.  Who isn't a fan of getting a massage?  I think massage therapy is good for general well being...but for all of you out there who think an infertile woman "just needs to relax and it will just happen", can you please explain to me why women get pregnant in war torn countries or Ethiopia??  

And then there is Pre-seed...google it, I'm not getting into it.  Standing on your head post-intercourse.  Carrying a rock in your left pocket and keeping another on the left hand side of your bed.  Using healing waters from the Virgin Mary.  Wishing upon stars. Relaxing. Going on a vacation to San Francisco...and Hawaii.   You name it, we tried it.

I recently went on a girl's shopping weekend.  After a few too many, we began discussing whether or not everyone wears underwear to bed.  Girls...you can understand how this conversation came up.  Guys...stop trying to understand girls.  Get over it.  Anyway, we came to the conclusion that everyone who had trouble conceiving wears underwear to bed.  Everyone who did not have trouble did not wear underwear to bed.  Honestly, our test pool was way too small to be statistically significant...but if you are willing to try everything else you can think of and this applies to you, what's one more experiment?

The important things to note are that if you are trying a million things that make absolutely no sense to you but you are trying them out of desperation...don't be embarrassed by it.  If they are giving you hope....be hopeful.  And...if trying something makes you uncomfortable, don't try it.  Your time will come when it is supposed to.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
-Dr. Seuss