When you want to get pregnant, timing is everything

When a woman (or a couple) starts trying for a baby it is helpful to understand the workings of the menstrual cycle.

You can improve your chances of getting pregnant if you know about ovulation and when is the best time to try for conception – this is called the ‘fertile window’. The fertile window includes days in the menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible, which varies for different women.

When is the best time for conception?
Pregnancy is theoretically possible during the ‘fertile window’. The likelihood of becoming pregnant is dramatically increased if you have intercourse in the three days leading up to and including ovulation.

How do you know when you are ovulating?
Ovulation (release of a mature egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube) happens about 14 days before a period starts. Signs of ovulation include vaginal mucus becoming clear and slippery, abdominal pain or premenstrual symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating and moodiness.
Working out your cycle

The menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. Cycles may vary in length for each woman. If you have a period every 28 days, you will ovulate around day 14 and your fertile window is between days 11 and 14. If you have a 24 day cycle ovulation happens around day 10 and your most fertile days are between days 7 and 10. For those with a longer 35 day cycle, ovulation is around day 21, with the fertile window being days 18-21.

If you want to reassure yourself about getting timing right you can use an ovulation predictor kit, which is available at any pharmacy or supermarket. Start testing a few days before your estimated day of ovulation. Continue to test every day until the test comes back positive. A positive result means you are going to ovulate within the next 24-36 hours.

Find out more
Visit yourfertility.org.au to find out more information about timing and intercourse, and other things you can do to improve your chance of having a baby when the time is right for you and your partner.

Your Fertility is delivered by the Fertility Coalition: Andrology Australia, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, The Robinson Research Institute, and the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority. Your Fertility is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

Published with the permission of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
1800 JEAN HAILES (532 642)
jeanhailes.org.au