Brief Answer:
Here are some tips for conceiving:

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Here are some answers to your questions and also other suggestions that will increase the likelihood of conception:

The most fertile time for a woman is slightly before or during her ovulation. If a woman has a 28 day cycle, ovulation happens roughly in the middle of that - around day 14. For reference, the first day of menstruation is called Day 1 of the cycle. Also for reference, ovulation generally happens about 14 days before the period.

Another helpful sign of when a woman is ovulating is that her cervical mucus is thinnest then, and looks and feels like watery egg whites. The cervical mucus gradually gets thinner and more copious (more of it) in the days before ovulation. So if your partner can, she should watch for this progression.

The woman's egg lives for about 24 hours before it starts to break down and is no longer viable. The man's sperm can live for 1-3 days inside the woman before they too break down.

So it is best to have semen in the woman at the time of ovulation or shortly before. Optimally 2 days before ovulation.

You can increase the number of sperm in your semen by not masturbating for approximately 3 days before trying to have fertile intercourse. The more ejaculations a man has in a short amount of time (hours, days), the lower the sperm count. More sperm in the semen makes conception more likely.

It doesn't matter how far in the vagina your penis is when you ejaculate as long as it is in the vagina.

It is helpful for the woman to be sexually excited and ready for intercourse as her vaginal lubrication from being sexually ready helps the sperm to swim up to the uterus. Her having an orgasm may also help as the uterus and vagina contract rhythmically which may help draw the semen up into the uterus.

I don't think there is a certain amount of time that intercourse needs to take place for conception to occur. I know that longer sexual activity (including foreplay) increases the volume of semen, which is helpful, but may not increase then number of sperm.

Wear cotton boxers instead of tight briefs, as allowing the testicles to be cooler helps with your fertility.

If either of you smoke cigarettes, stop smoking as soon as possible. Cigarettes affect both male and female fertility in a bad way.

Your partner should NOT drink more than the equivalent of 5 cups of coffee/day, and avoid drinking much alcohol.

I hope this information helps and you are soon looking forward to being the proud parents of a little son or daughter!

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