This article helps answer:
When is it easy for me to conceive?
How do I know my ovulation day?
What is the survival time of sperm?
How can I schedule a sexual intercourse time for conception?
Some lucky partners, with favorable timing, location, and people, get pregnant without much effort. But for others, conception may require precise calculations. The most effective way to successfully conceive is to understand your body's reproductive cycle, so that you can find the golden time every month to try to conceive.
Pregnancy strategy
Every month, one of your ovaries will produce a mature egg. At around the same time, your uterus is preparing for fertilization, and the mucus secreted by the cervix becomes thinner, making it easier for male sperm to enter. When the egg is released, it means you have ovulated. The golden time for an egg to fertilize is within 24 hours after ovulation. After the egg is released, it will travel along the fallopian tubes to the uterus. If the egg successfully meets and combines with the sperm, the fertilized egg will implant into the endometrium and begin to develop into a fetus.
How to determine your ovulation day
Every woman's cycle is different. There are ovulation calculators in the market that can help calculate your ovulation date. You need to know the first day of your last menstrual cycle and the duration of your period (if the menstrual cycle is irregular, try recording for several more months and find the average). When you know when you will ovulate, you can plan the golden time to conceive in the bedroom.
Elevated basal body temperature
Your basal body temperature is the temperature at which your body is in a resting state. Continuously recording basal body temperature for several months can help you predict ovulation day more accurately. Ovulation day is the day before the increase in body temperature, and it is considered easy to conceive within 3 days of the increase in basal body temperature. Basal body temperature can be influenced by factors such as surrounding heat, walking and movement, different time periods, dietary habits, working hours, and sleep duration. Therefore, to accurately measure basal body temperature, it is best to use an electronic basal thermometer to measure the temperature at the same time every morning, before waking up and engaging in activities.
How long does it take to successfully conceive?
Half of the spouses will become pregnant within two to three months, and 84% of the spouses will be able to conceive within a year. However, you need to understand that every couple's situation is different and varies from person to person. It is best to maintain a happy and relaxed mood, as tension and stress are the fatal wounds of family planning. What should I do if I fail to conceive after trying? If you have had sexual intercourse for 6 months during the optimal conception period but still cannot conceive, you should consult a doctor for further evaluation.
Understand your 'conception window period'
The easiest days for you to conceive each month are the days before and on the day of ovulation. Having sex during this period can increase the chances of successful pregnancy. If you wait until after ovulation to engage in sexual activity, the sperm may not be able to meet the egg in time for fertilization. On the contrary, sperm can survive in your body for a few days, waiting for the egg to be released.
Other signs of calculating the 'conception window period':
Changes in cervical mucus: During the menstrual cycle, the cervix secretes mucus under the influence of hormones. The changes in mucus can help you calculate your ovulation period.
Before ovulation (just after menstruation):
The cervix does not produce mucus, and in some cases, the amount is very small. It is thick white or opaque, and the vagina is relatively dry. Due to the need for cervical mucus for sperm to come into contact with the egg, the chances of pregnancy are lower at this time.
Approaching ovulation:
The mucus gradually increases and turns milky white, making the vagina feel moist. At this time, the chances of pregnancy will be relatively better.
During ovulation:
The mucus secreted by the cervix becomes clearer, thinner, and smoother (with a resilience like protein filaments), and the vagina feels noticeably moist. At this time, the chance of getting pregnant is the best.
reference material:
1.Nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk. (2016). NHS Direct Wales - Encyclopaedia : Infertility. Retrieved 20 Jan 2016, from http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/i/article/infertility/