What You Need to Know About Your Fertile Window.
If you are planning to conceive, understanding your fertile window is crucial. Your fertile window is when conception takes place, and will transform the way you think when planning your journey to motherhood. We unpack the complexity of your fertile window, and how your menstrual cycle and ovulation works. (1)
What Exactly Is a Fertile Window? (1)
Your menstrual cycle dictates your fertile window, which is about 28 days. Keeping track of your menstrual cycle and determining your ovulation period will identify your fertile window. (1)
A fertile window is the period when you are your most fertile. This short period during your menstrual cycle is the time you are the most likely to conceive. The window of conception usually happens during ovulation.
During ovulation, the body releases a mature egg that is ready for fertilization. For couples trying to get pregnant, the fertile window plays an integral role as it increases the chances of falling pregnant exponentially.(1)
How to Calculate your Fertile Window (2)
Applying the “Fertile Window Rule” determines the best time for conception. The fertile window is usually 5 days prior to ovulation and on the actual day of ovulation. This guide helps couples to plan intercourse strategically on the most fertile days for the most successful results for conceiving. (2)
How to Determine a Fertile Window. (2)
- Regular menstrual cycles are important for an accurate fertile window.(2) Irregular menstrual cycles could make the fertile window less accurate. (2)
- The length of your cycle can affect your fertile window. You might need to adjust the timing to coincide with the most fertile days after your period. (2)
- Some women ovulate inconsistently. This will make it difficult to determine when a fertile window occurs. (2)
- Health challenges could affect hormones and reproduction, disrupting regularity of a menstrual cycle. (2)
- Stress and lifestyle factors could disrupt hormones, thus affecting fertility.
- Medication and birth control can influence regular ovulation. (2)
- Relying on a range of indicators like cervical mucus and ovulation predictor kits can help with accuracy. (2)
What Are the 3 Key Factors That Affect a Fertile Window the most?(1)
1. Changes in Hormones (1)
Fluctuating hormones play a major role when defining the reproductive window during your cycle. Hormonal fluctuations will affect your ability to conceive.
- Progesterone helps sustain the uterine lining after ovulation. This is vital for a successful pregnancy. (1)
- Estrogen is necessary for encouraging follicles to develop, preparing the uterus for pregnancy. (1)
- Luteinizing hormones release an egg from a follicle, triggering ovulation.
- Follicle-stimulating hormones promote a dominant follicle for ovulation.
2. Ovulation
Ovulation usually takes place in the middle of your menstrual cycle.(2)
Your menstrual cycle begins the day your menstrual bleeding starts. During ovulation, the egg matures and is released, which marks the start of the follicular phase. (2)
Your body releases follicle-stimulating hormones (also known as FSH) during the follicular phase. The hormone assists the egg inside your ovary to mature and prepares it for release. Once the egg is mature, your body releases luteinizing hormones, triggering the release of the egg. Ovulation usually takes place around the 14th day, 28 to 36 hours after the surge of luteinizing hormones.
The luteal phase happens after the ovulation phase. If you fall pregnant during this phase, the hormones will keep the lining intact. Alternatively, bleeding will start around the 28th day of your cycle starting the next cycle.(2)
3. An Important Consideration for Falling Pregnant is the Viability of Sperm
Viability of sperm plays a major role in conception. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to 5 days, although survival is usually 2 to 3 days. Healthy sperm has a good chance of fertilizing an egg.
3 Different Methods to Measure Your Fertile Window
- Track ovulation by using the calendar method. This way, you record your menstrual cycle over a couple of months. This will indicate the length of your cycle. It is not an accurate method if you have irregular menstruation cycles.
- Using the BBT or Basal Body Temperature method tracks your resting body temperature before getting out of bed. BBT increases after ovulation because of increased progesterone levels. Keeping a record of BBT helps to determine when ovulation takes place.
- Ovulation Predictor Kits indicate when there is an increase in luteinizing hormone levels. These accurate kits indicate when ovulation is about to take place.
Ask Your Doctor Everything You Need to Know About Your Fertile Window
Tracking ovulation, understanding your fertility window and unpacking the best time to fall pregnant is empowering. Each individual’s conception journey is unique and requires patience, knowledge and resilience. Get the support you deserve. Staying positive and informed while seeking professional help for tailored support. (1)
