Most of the couples these days wait for a few months to few years before trying to conceive a child. The reasons might range from enjoying their life as a couple to building their career to getting financially secure. Then, comes the time when they feel that they are ready to shoulder the responsibility of being parents. The problem they now face is, not knowing when is the best time or the best days to get pregnant. For all such couples, help is now at hand. In the following lines, we have provided information on the best time of the month for pregnancy.
Best Time to Get Pregnant
The best days to pregnant comprise of the time when a woman is ovulating. The life cycle of an egg inside the body of a woman is between 12 and 24 hours. On the other hand, a sperm can survive for a period of 2 to 5 days in her body. It means that it is better to have the sperms waiting inside her body, before the release of the eggs. Having intercourse after ovulation will not help, since by the time the sperm will enter the body and reach the fallopian tube, the eggs will have already disintegrated.
Thus, the best time to have intercourse, with the aim of pregnancy, comprises of 2 to 5 days before ovulation. You should also have sex on the day of ovulation. This is because it is difficult to say at exactly what time the ovulation will take place. By having sex on the same day, you can make sure that the sperm is there to meet the egg, before it starts to break down. In short, you can maximize the chances of getting pregnant.
Knowing Your Ovulation Cycle
In order to know the best time for conception, you need to know exactly when you will be ovulating. The tips given below will help you ascertain the same and thus, know about the best days for pregnancy.
- Monitor your menses closely, to know about your exact cycle. When you wish to get pregnant, calculate exactly when your next period will fall due. Now, count back 12 to 16 days from the due date. This will give you an idea about your ovulation days and the days you have the most chances of conceiving. Women with a 28-day cycle usually have the 14th day as the most fertile period.
- Another way of knowing about your ovulation time is through monitoring of your cervical mucus. The mucus tends to increase in volume and change in texture as your menstrual cycle advances, because of increase in the estrogen levels. When your mucus becomes clear, slippery and stretchy, it means that you are about to ovulate. Thus, this will comprise of the best days of getting pregnant.
- The basal temperature of a woman’s body is another factor that tells about the ovulation cycle. A woman’s basal body temperature increases, by 0.5 to 1.6 degrees, immediately after ovulation. However, for knowing about the increase, you will have to check the temperature with a basal thermometer. The best time to conceive is 2-3 days before your temperature is at its highest. Regular monitoring will tell you exactly when your temperature is highest and you can have sex atleast 3 days before.
- Many women experience discomfort in the lower abdomen, when they are ovulating. In some cases, they can even feel ovulatory activity. The symptoms may range from mild aches to twinges of pain, in the lower abdominal region. Such a situation is known as ‘Mittelschmerz’ and it might last from a few minutes to a few hours. Monitoring the time when you notice such discomfort will give you an idea about the best days to get pregnant.