Did You Know?
Women can only become pregnant a few days during the month! Also, not all women have a 28 days cycle; it can range anywhere from 24 to 36 days and you may not ovulate on day 14, you could ovulate on day 8 or day 22! This is why charting your fertility cycle can be important, especially when trying to conceive.
How to Predict Fertility
Cervical Fluid: Checking your cervical fluid helps you to know exactly when you are ovulating. For sperm to travel well, they need stretchy cervical fluid (Ex: it stretches like egg white between your fingers), this is the best time to become pregnant. Also, if you need more lubrication, do not use saliva or artificial lube, the PH of these fluids may kill sperm. Instead, spend more time in foreplay to encourage natural formation of lubrication.
Cervical Position: Your cervix can change position and openness throughout your cycle. During ovulation the cervix will likely be higher, softer, and more open than it is when ovulation is not occurring. Understanding the position of the cervix may help you know what position to use during sex to allow sperm more direct access to the cervix.
Basal Temperature: After ovulation progesterone makes body temperature increase. If this has not occurred, then ovulation most likely has not passed, so this is a good time to continue daily intercourse.
When to Have Sex
It is recommended for a couple to have sex every day or every other day from the first day of wet cervical fluid until the first day of your thermal shift. Couples may also choose to have sex every other day form the first day of egg-white until the first day of your thermal shift.
It is also recommended to have sex when the cervix is in an optimal position, high, open, soft, and centered.
*Note: If after charting 4-6 cycles there is still no conception, consider having a semen analysis. After a year of actively trying (even if this isn't your first pregnancy), go to see an infertility specialist.
Books For You
Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health by Toni Weschler
I highly recommend this book when you are trying to conceive as it goes in depth on all the things you need to know how long your cycle is, how to tell when you are ovulation, and so much more.
Resources:
Weschler, T. (2000). Taking Charge of Your Fertility. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers
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