Your odds of getting pregnant each month are closely linked to your menstrual cycle and specifically, to ovulation. Timing intercourse around the time you ovulate is therefore an excellent way to improve your chances of getting pregnant sooner and reduce the amount of time it takes for you to get pregnant. By understanding your reproductive system, you can determine when you’re most fertile and improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Popular Ways to Predict Ovulation
The following are some common ways to predict when you’ll be ovulating:
- Counting the Days. Keeping track of the average length of your menstrual cycles is one of the easiest ways to predict when you’ll be ovulating. The first day of your menstrual cycle is the day on which you begin menstruating. In a 28-day cycle, for example, ovulation will generally take place between 12 and 18 days, meaning that this is the time that you are most fertile and therefore most likely to get pregnant. As a result, the best time to have intercourse is between days 10 and 18 of your menstrual cycle. The general rule of thumb when predicting ovulation is that ovulation occurs 14 days before the end of your cycle, so subtract 14 from your normal cycle length in order to calculate the approximate onset of ovulation.
- Change in Cervical Mucus. As your menstrual cycle progresses, your cervical mucus changes in both volume and texture. You are most fertile when your cervical mucus discharge is clear, thin and stretchy.
- Lower Abdominal Discomfort. One-fifth of women experience mild aches and pain in the lower abdominal area. Referred to as mittelschmerz (a German word meaning "middle pain"), abdominal pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours and is a sign that ovulation is occurring.
- Increased Body Temperature. During ovulation, your body temperature rises on average of 0.5 to 1.6 degrees. This change in temperature occurs because of the release of the egg and the production of hormones that accompany it. While this temperature is too slight to be felt, it can be measured using a body temperature thermometer.
- Ovulation Prediction Kit. These kits are an increasingly popular option in predicting ovulation. In order to make sure you buy an accurate kit, ask a specialist for a recommendation, as well as family and friends. A positive result means that your hormone levels are high, signaling that ovulation will occur within 12 to 48 hours.
It is important to note that a variety of factors can delay the onset of ovulation. These factors include stress, excessive exercise and illness.
Get advice on predicting ovulation by chatting with other women in our forum.