Ovulation windows, pregnancy calendars, timed intercourse…. Sometimes, getting pregnant is not always as easy as you think it’ll be.
You are not alone, one in six Australian couples of reproductive age experience fertility problems. What’s more, according to the Department of Health, there is an increasing occurrence of couples and individuals that need fertility treatments to become pregnant.
Surprisingly, getting the timing wrong when it comes to having sex, is one of the reasons why some couples struggle to conceive. To help you on your journey to growing your family, we have dispelled the myths and highlighted the facts so you can get back to baby making armed with all the important information.
When is the best time to have sex?
Each cycle, an individual has roughly a 25% chance of falling pregnant which declines with age. With this percentage it is important that intercourse occurs throughout the peak of the fertile window which is generally prior to and on the day of ovulation.
So, understanding ovulation and the fertile window in the menstrual cycle, and making sure you have sex at the right time, will increase your chances of getting pregnant.
What is the fertile window?
The ‘fertile window’ is the days in a menstrual cycle where pregnancy is possible. The ‘fertile window’ depends on the length of the menstrual cycle, which varies person to person.
This begins at five days leading up to ovulation and peaks when the egg is released from the ovary. Having sex (intercourse) during this time gives you the best chance of getting pregnant.
To ensure you are using the window to its full potential, tracking your ovulation is recommended.
So, what is ovulation?
Ovulation occurs when the ovaries release a mature egg for fertilisation and is the stage of the menstrual cycle where conception is most likely. While the lifetime supply of eggs are present at birth, usually only one egg is released each month; however, on rare occasions, more than one egg can be released and if fertilised results in fraternal twins or more.
The timing of ovulation can be determined by subtracting 14 (day 14 is generally the day of ovulation) from the full cycle length to find the specific dates.
When do you ovulate?
The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, though this can vary between 21-35 days. Ovulation is known as the second phase of the menstrual cycle. The four phases are:
The Follicular Phase – where follicles in the ovaries begin to mature and develop an egg. This phase starts from the first day of your period and ends when ovulation occurs
Ovulation – The mature egg is released from the ovary. Post ovulation the egg may have good potential to be fertilised for 12-24 hours. Sperm may survive in good condition inside the Fallopian tubes for up to 48 hours. If conditions are ideal then fertilisation of the egg by the sperm can occur.
The Luteal Phase – The lining of the uterus will thicken to provide nutrition for a possible embryo. This phase generally lasts 12-14 days but can be anywhere from 7-17 days.
Menstruation – This is usually a sign that pregnancy did not occur. The lining of the uterus is eliminated. The average menstruation or period lasts 3-7 days. To learn more, visit our ‘fertility window page’.
Useful tools
To make this process as straightforward as possible, a tool such as an ovulation calculator can be beneficial to the cause. Other common indicators of ovulation include clear and thick vaginal discharge and a rise in basal body temperature. Once the fertile window has been established, intercourse can be planned around this to increase the chances of conception.
If you want to give yourself the best shot at getting the timing right, ovulation predictor kits which are available at any pharmacy or supermarket are a great tool to use. A few days before you think you will be ovulating you can use these kits to start testing your urine each day to indicate the beginning of the ‘fertile window’. You can expect to ovulate 24-36 hours after the test turns positive so make sure you and your partner are ready.
Myth: some positions boost the chances of conception
There is no evidence to suggest that some positions during intercourse provide greater chance of conception than others. While some positions allow for deeper penetration to bring the sperm into closer proximity with the egg, there is no proof that they are more effective than others.
How often should sex be had?
It is important to be having frequent intercourse throughout the fertile window to increase the chances of conception.
Nonetheless, if this seems too complicated, an alternative is to have sex every two to three days. That way all bases are covered without getting too technical about when the chance of conceiving is greatest.
Ejaculating frequently allows for healthy sperm turnover and higher motility. By ejaculating every two days while your partner is ovulating means the sperm is likely of better quality for conception.
Do:
· Keep a clean diet rich in lean protein, fresh fruit and vegetables.
· Exercise for at least 30 mins each day.
· Begin taking folic acid around one month before attempting to conceive.
· Get an antenatal screening from your GP to ensure you’re in optimal health.
· Keep cool to prevent decline in sperm quality. · Aim to orgasm while engaging in intercourse – this aids the ejaculation of sperm in one partner and assists the other partner’s cervix to propel the sperm closer to the egg.
Don’t:
· Smoke
· Drink alcohol
· Consume caffeine
· Take recreational drugs
· Use lubricants while having sex
· Have high stress levels
When Should I Seek Advice?
If you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (under 35 years old) or 6 months (over 35 years old) and have not fallen pregnant, consider booking an appointment with your doctor to evaluate your circumstances.
To learn more please feel encouraged to contact our friendly team on 1800 111 373 or book your appointment today.
