Ovulation Tracking Can Help You Get Pregnant
Timing a pregnancy can seem complicated, but ovulation tracking can make pregnancy planning easier. The conditions need to be perfect for an egg and sperm to meet, and ovulation tracking helps women recognize when conditions are ideal during a menstrual cycle.
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is when the ovaries release a mature egg. This egg travels down the fallopian tube when ready for fertilization. Those 6 days are critical for ovulation tracking because the egg can be fertilized by sperm for around 12-24 hours after being released from the ovary. If that window closes without fertilization, then a couple may have to wait to try to conceive again.
Increase your chances of getting pregnant
Understanding a menstrual cycle is essential for tracking ovulation. Unfortunately, menstrual cycles can be imperfect. There are 3 ways to help track ovulation to lead to a successful conception and positive pregnancy result.
1. Check your temperature
When ovulation occurs, a woman’s basal body temperature increases. Using a thermometer specifically designed to track basal body temperature can help track the ovulation window. Women are the most fertile 1-3 days before an increase in body temperature. The best time to take a temperature reading is every morning before getting out of bed.
2. Get to know your cycle
Understanding the menstrual cycle can help determine the best time for fertility. Menstrual calendars can help track ovulation and increase fertility awareness to determine the midpoint of a cycle. Also, recognizing the changes in cervical mucus during ovulation can be useful. Cervical mucus thins during the time of the most fertility.
3. Tracking is easier with an ovulation prediction kit
An ovulation prediction kit can help identify the best time to have intercourse to get pregnant. Ovulation prediction kits track surges in the luteinizing hormone (LH) in a woman’s urine. This hormone increases 24-48 hours before ovulation. Ovulation is the most fertile time to get pregnant, and an ovulation kit can help narrow down the fertility window.
Maximize your fertility with these tips
When trying to get pregnant, there are additional suggestions that can help lead to positive results. Recommended advice includes:
- Regularly have sex
- Have sex during the ovulation period
- Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid these when you are trying to get pregnant
Ovulation tracking can help women get pregnant. However, to improve the odds of conception, some things should be avoided to increase fertility and chances of conception. These include smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and strenuous exercise. Taking steps to increase fertility and track ovulation can lead to positive results and a pregnancy. For more information about ovulation tracking, speak with a healthcare provider.