Conception: timing it right
An ovarian cycle lasts around 28 days. For a baby to be conceived you must have sex around the time of ovulation -which lasts around several days. In a regular menstrual cycle this occurs about midway between periods.
The most reliable signs of ovulation are -
• The body temperature rises slightly after ovulation.
• Mucus released from the cervix becomes clear, thin and stretchy during the fertile time.
• The cervix becomes softer and slightly more open during the fertile time.
So this means constant monitoring of your body temperature and mucus change. But one of the most reliable ways to know when you are ovulating is by using ovulation detection kits. They can chemically detect a rise in the luteinising hormone (LH) in a urine sample. LH rises dramatically just before ovulation.
Using fertility awareness to achieve pregnancy is most effective if several methods are used. The cervical mucus method is best at detecting the start of the fertile phase, while the temperature method is best at determining the end of the fertile phase.
It can be a complex undertaking and it may take months to become pregnant, so remember to be patient and stay motivated!
