When are you most fertile?
Some lucky couples have perfect timing and become pregnant almost without trying. For most of us though, conception can be a numbers game. The most effective way to succeed is to understand your body’s reproductive cycle so you can work out the best time of the month to try to get pregnant.
Find out more:
Winning tactic
You have a fertile window that lasts about six days – the five days before you ovulate and the day you ovulate, although your egg is fertile for only about 24 hours.
As sperm can survive for several days, the winning tactic is to time your lovemaking so that your partner’s sperm are waiting around to greet your egg as it is released. Aim to have sex two or three times in the days leading up to ovulation.
How to know when you will ovulate
Every woman’s cycle is different, so we have created this simple ovulation calculator to help you determine your ovulation date. To use it, you’ll need to know the first day of your last period and the typical length of your menstrual cycle (if it’s irregular, keep a record over a few months and work out the average).
Once you know when you’re likely to ovulate, you can plan the best time to have sex to conceive.
Why temperature matters
Your resting body temperature, known as your basal body temperature, increases when you are ovulating. Recording your temperature over a few months can help you more accurately predict when you will ovulate. Ovulation usually happens at the beginning of a temperature rise that lasts for at least three days.
For accuracy, it’s best to use a digital or fertility thermometer to take your temperature at the same time every morning before you get out of bed.
How long will it take me to conceive?
About 50%of couples get pregnant within three months of trying, and over eight out of ten get pregnant within one year. However, every couple is different, so don’t stress, try to keep things romantic and stay positive. Don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns you may have with your GP.
If you are under 35 and have been trying for 12 months, or over 35 and trying for six months without success, speak to your GP. About one in six couples will experience fertility problems and there are a number of treatments to explore.
Get to know your special signs
Getting to know how your cervical mucus changes during your menstrual cycle can help you predict when your lovemaking is most likely to lead to conception.
Changes in cervical mucus
Before ovulation (just after your period), you’ll produce very little mucus. It will be thick, sticky and white or opaque in colour, and your vagina will feel quite dry. There is little chance of getting pregnant at this stage.
Approaching ovulation: mucus production will increase and become creamy white or cream in colour, and your vagina will feel moist. You have a better chance of getting pregnant at this time.
Around ovulation: your mucus will be thin, clear and very stretchy (like raw egg white), and your vagina will feel quite wet. You have the highest chance of getting pregnant at this time.
After ovulation: your mucus will become thick and sticky again, and your vagina will start to feel quite dry. Your chance of conception during this stage will start to decline.
Nutrition and Fertility
Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet is going to benefit you and your partner in terms of fertility and get you well-prepared for a healthy conception and pregnancy.
Some nutrients particularly worth mentioning are zinc, iron, vitamin E, vitamin C, folic acid, selenium, and omega-3 DHA.
Some foods of particular benefit for fertility include beans and legumes, such as chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, and oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and mullet. Nuts and seeds are great because they are rich in healthy fats, and green leafy vegetables are nutrient and antioxidant-dense.*
If you aren't getting enough of the good stuff in your diet, taking a supplement like Elevit Pre-conception & Pregnancy Multivitamin will be beneficial. For men, taking a supplement like Menevit Pre-conception Sperm health could be of benefit to help reach the required levels of nutrients.
*Womens Health Melbourne Website: https://www.womenshealthmelbourne.com.au/foods-to-increase-fertility/
Pregnancy
From what to eat, how to exercise and how to keep track of all those important milestones, you can find answers and support here.
