Trying to conceive can feel like a minefield. Learn all about your fertile window, how to track your ovulation, ways to increase your fertility naturally, and how to time sex for getting pregnant.
When trying to get pregnant, it’s helpful to understand your fertile window — the days in your menstrual cycle when you’re most likely to conceive.
The menstrual cycle has two phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase begins on the first day of your period and ends when an ovary releases an egg, a process known as ovulation. In a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation happens around day 14, although timing varies from person to person.
After ovulation, an egg remains viable for up to 24 hours, while sperm can survive inside your body for up to five days after sex. This means you can get pregnant from sex in the days leading up to ovulation, as well as on the day it happens. These days make up your fertile window.
To know when your fertile window is, you need to track your ovulation. This can be done through the calendar method, which requires you to track 12 complete cycles, or you can use a menstrual cycle and ovulation-tracking app like Flo, where all you need to do is log your period dates for a couple of cycles, then an algorithm will predict your fertile window for you.
You can also use home ovulation tests around the time you expect to ovulate. These tests check your urine for luteinizing hormone (LH), which is the hormone that makes your ovaries release an egg. LH surges 24 to 48 hours before you ovulate. LH testing can be up to 99% accurate when used correctly.
Having sex every one to two days during your fertile window gives you the best chance of conceiving. Sex every two to three days across your whole cycle works almost as well and means you don’t need to track ovulation at all.
More FAQs
How often should you be having sex to get pregnant?
Having sex every one to two days during your fertile window gives you the best chance of conceiving. Sex every two to three days across your whole cycle works almost as well and means you don’t need to track ovulation at all.
How do you know when you’re ovulating?
Ovulation signs vary in intensity and may not be noticeable. Three potential signs include changes in cervical mucus, which may become clear, thin, and slippery like raw egg whites; a small rise in basal body temperature (your resting temperature) of around 0.5°F (0.3°C) after ovulation; and a cervix that feels softer and sits higher in the vagina.
Should you take prenatal vitamins when trying to get pregnant?
“It is suggested that you start taking a supplement containing folic acid at least one to two months prior to conception or as soon as you find out you are pregnant,” US clinical dietitian Laura Cordella, RD, explains. Just remember to always speak to your doctor before starting any new supplements.