I was wondering if we should start a thread for some of the most important tips or best advice you've ever got.  Just to help out future girls that will be joining the group?

I think that is great!  Let's make it a sticky, too!

The book that MurphNoMore recommended is fantastic - I have learned so much more about pre-pregnancy nutrition, I highly recommended it!

"Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy" by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.

Love that book - wish I had read it sooner.  My sister gave it to me before I even got engaged so I kind of forgot about it for a while.

Anyhow, other tips/recommendations:

1. I HIGHLY recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility, even if you don't want to get into the whole charting thing b/c it does explain a lot (though I do think the charting has taught me a ton about my cycle too)

2. I know some of the girls before us used pre-seed lubricant, and said a little goes a long way - this is especially helpful if you are on clomid and are experiencing some dryness issues.

For the next couple: DISCLAIMER - I am not a Dr.  I am NOT qualified to give medical opinions.  I am simply sharing some tips/tricks I have heard from other people.  I would STRONGLY SUGGEST you discuss with your Dr. the pluses/minuses of such things BEFORE attempting it.  I put it here ONLY so that you can ask the Dr. if they think it would be right for you.  That said...

3. I have heard from SEVERAL sources that Mucinex or plain Robitussin (guaifenesin ONLY) is good too for conceiving - it thins ALL the mucus in your body and *could* help facilitate the movement of the sperm through the cervix. Could be an old wives tale, but I have friends who "got pregnant" with this method (or, quite possibly it was a coincidence).

4. Some women have a thinner lining in the uterus and their Dr. finds that taking a course of baby aspirin can help thicken the lining and help with implantation and getting a sticky bean.  HOWEVER, if your lining if fine and you attempt to use the baby aspirin, it could work AGAINST you by making the lining too thick for implantation. But it may be worth talking to your Dr. about to see if this could help you.

5. If your man goes for testing of his swimmers, it is best to use a glass container if possible as opposed to plastic.  Also, it is important that the ENTIRE specimen make it into the cup or else the results can be wrong (ex.  count looks low b/c some of the sample spilled - apparently the count is not always consistent throughout the sample). If you get an undesireable result, get another test done!  This advice came directly from DH's urologist (the 2nd one), who said time, lab procedures, etc etc can affect the result so better to get the 2nd test than engage in what could be unnecessary procedures.

That's all I have for now :)  I will add others if I can think of any.  

OMG - SO important:  If your Dr. sends you for an ultrasound, check the script.  It is likely a transvaginal u/s - meaning they are going to use an internal probe so they can get up close and personal with your uterus and ovaries.  Nobody warned me about this. So traumatizing when you don't know it's coming lol

Oh no!  I didn't think about it - I've had a few of these when I've had ovarian cysts rupture - but yes, my first one was like, "wait, what?  You're putting that where?"  LOL

This is more of a trick then tip / advice

Have your guy finish before you and then you finish about a minute later, it can be hard to time right but it will sling-shot the swimmers up...I swear this is the reason I got pregnant!

@Murph those were the only u/s I had when I was pregnant. haha  The first time I went in I was like, man that u/s machine doesnt look right and the lady was like, "ok strip down at the waist"  umm excuse me? haha

I have done it all. Most of the tips and tricks below are more for those who have been TCC-ing for awhile but I guess some things can be applied to those just starting out.  But like MNM strongly suggests, talk to your doctor first.  And even if you do get the green light to try such things, note that none of these are guaranteed.  After all, it takes more than just science to summon a soul into this world.  With that said, here's what I've tried:

- Have your DH start on multivitamins and exercise as well.  You want strong swimmers.

- Have sex every other day if possible. You don't want old swimmers, and old is four days or older.  Old swimmers die off sooner. 

- Avoid caffeine if possible. 

- After sex, I propped a pillow under my butt.  Think of Phoebe from Friends after her embryo retrieval.  Some swear by the force of gravity.  Can't hurt to try. 

- Low dose aspirin to improve uterine lining.

- Yoga or pilates for stress relief and to improve blood flow circulation around the uterus and ovaries.  My clinic even offers yoga for fertility classes and there are dvds out there as well.  Not sure if its necessary but def try regular yoga.

- Acupuncture.  Mariah Carey swears by it.  I find it relaxing though I can't physically determine any changes in my body or overall health.  If you do try this, try to see one that specializes in fertility.

- Low dose of Vitamin B6.  If you chart, pay attention to the number of days post ovulation to the day you get your period.  That is your luteal phase.  You want this to be long enough for the embryo to implant.  Normal is 10-14 days.  But since mine was 9 days, my RE suggested B6.  Others try progesterone cream but my RE doesn't think it would be as effective as B6 or prescription progesterone. 

- Finally, some suggests waiting a year before seeing an RE.  I say six months but I guess it also depends on your time horizon and age.  DH and I did everything according to the book, charted, etc. for six months only to find out I had a blocked tube after seeing an RE.  That was over a year ago.  I'm I didn't waste another six months of trying. 

Hope this helps.

@ Claire and AuntTate - yeah I only just learned that these were even an option about three weeks ago lol.  And it just didn't occur to me that mine would be that (I did have an u/s before when I was quite ill and it was the "normal" kind).  It did not help matters that I was exhausted and hungover since I went the day after the bar exam lol.  Well, you live and you learn!

Great advice on here, ladies! Since I am brand stinkin' new to this, I've got nothin', but have enjoyed reading your advice! :)