Increase your chances of falling pregnant NOW!

Ladies… it is important to get acquainted with the big O (I know what you’re thinking and yes that too is important!) but I’m talking about OVULATION… when your ovary releases an egg.

If you’ve read my last blog on preparing for pregnancy… the next step is finding out how to increase your chances of falling pregnant quickly!

Why is ovulation important?

Ovulation signals the release of an egg from the female ovaries. For a pregnancy to occur, this egg must be fertilised by a male sperm.

Ovulation occurs within a specific time frame during your menstrual cycle, so by getting in tune with when your body is ovulating, you can start to predict when the best time to try for a baby is!

Firstly you should…

Start by tracking your menstrual cycle.

Record when you get your period and how long it lasts for.

The time between day 1 of your period until day 1 of your next period is the length of your menstrual cycle.

Typically a menstrual cycle should last 28 days. But like most things, we aren’t all typical! It is normal for a cycle to last anywhere from 21-35 days. Sometimes they are consistent and regular, other times not.

The best way to find out is to start tracking your cycle.

When will I ovulate?

Typically ovulation occurs 14 days before your expected period

So if you have a regular 28 day cycle, you should ovulate around day 14. If your cycle is usually 35 days you should ovulate around day 21.

However this is not always the case (remember not everyone is typical!).

So instead… get in tune with your body for a more accurate awareness of when your egg sets sail…

Signs that you are ovulating…

As well as tracking your cycle… also keep an eye out for these body changes.

• Cervical mucus changes. Have you ever noticed an egg white type discharge (yes I know we all hate that word!)? This is a sign of ovulation as your body is trying to help sperm travel through the vagina-cervix-uterus and on to the egg travelling through the fallopian tubes.
• Heightened sense of smell. This is your body primed to be more attracted to the male pheromones so that you can conceive lots of babies!
• Breast tenderness due to hormonal changes.
• Mild lower abdominal (ovulation) pain. Typically you will feel this only on the side of the ovary releasing the egg.
• Increased libido. This is the body priming you ready to make babies!
• Drop in body temperature. This will require you to measure your body temperature every morning to notice a change. Your body temperature will drop around the time of ovulation.

Now you’ve worked out when you ovulate.. how does that translate to falling pregnant?

Well your most fertile window is on the day of ovulation and the 3 days leading up to it.

So essentially, the more sex you have in this window, the higher your chances of conceiving.

Now this may seem like a lot of work to track and record, so I have made a list of my favourite FREE apps which do all the work for you!

Watch this simple 5 minute video if you’d prefer a visual explanation of ovulation and conception…

Remember that it is normal to conceive within 6-12 months of trying.

For women aged 35 or older, it is recommended to seek help if you haven’t fallen pregnant within 6 months.

If it doesn’t happen straight away don’t stress.

The most important thing is to enjoy the process, stress can have a negative impact on conception and strain relationships.

If you are still having troubles after 12 months then consult with your health care practitioner for referral on to a fertility specialist.

What an amazing miracle pregnancy is…

xo Physio Laura