Curious on How to Find Your Fertile Days? Pregnancy Calculator & Ovulation Calculator to the Rescue
Do you know that nowadays, it is easy to calculate your fertile days? Pregnancy calculator or ovulation calculator are among the tools that you can use to help you plan your pregnancy wisely. Timing is important when you are planning to get pregnant. There is a specific duration of time each month called the fertile days for women. It is the time of the month where you ovulate. Having sexual intercourse during this period increases your pregnancy chances. Hence, for couples who are planning to have a baby, this is considered as the “right time” or “best time” to try to conceive.
There are few ways to identify your fertile days. One of the simple and efficient method is using the fertility or ovulation calculator. This tool or apps is used to check your ovulation day and helps to determine your fertile windows during the month.
Understanding Fertile days and Ovulation
It is important for you to track and understand your menstrual cycle if you are planning to get pregnant. The menstrual cycle is caused by the rise and fall of hormone levels in your body. There are four main phases of the menstrual cycle, namely menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase. The menstrual cycle is usually counted from the first day of a woman’s period until the first day of her next period. Understanding these phases helps you to identify your fertile days better.
Menstruation phase
This is the phase where you will be having your period. It usually lasts for five days. When pregnancy did not occur, the lining of your uterus will be shed out through your vagina.
Follicular phase
The next eight days after your menses are the follicular phase. The level of estrogen hormone rises during this phase and cause the lining of your uterus to grow and eventually becomes thick. This is important to prepare your womb for pregnancy. At the same time, another hormone called the follicle-stimulating hormone increases in your body to help form a fully mature egg (ovum). This usually happens between day 10 and day 14.
Ovulation phase
Ovulation happens when your ovary releases an egg(ovum). On average, it occurs on the 14th day of a 28-day cycle. Once the egg is released, it travels to the fallopian tube. It is where the egg usually meets the sperm and fertilization process occurs. If the egg is successfully fertilized by the sperm, it travels to the womb and attach to the lining of the uterus. Successful implantation indicates healthy pregnancy.
Luteal phase
This phase occurs after the ovulation phase. It lasts from day 15 to day 28. If the egg is not fertilised by the sperm, your estrogen and progesterone level drops. It then leads to menses.
For couples planning to get pregnant, ideally you should have sexual intercourse during the ovulation phase. Thus, learning more about ovulation and fertile days helps you to track your menstrual cycle properly and plan your pregnancy well.
How long does ovulation last?
Normal ovulation lasts about 12 to 48 hours. After your ovary releases an egg, it stays at the fallopian tube for 24 hours. If fertilisation does not occur during this time, the egg and uterus lining will shed, resulting in menstruation after two weeks.
The ovulation window only lasts about a day. However, it does not mean you should get pregnant within one day window. Typically, after sexual intercourse, sperm lasts for 3-5 days in your body. This is called the fertile window and it last about seven days. Five days before ovulation, on the ovulation day and the day after the egg is released. Technically, your chances of getting pregnant are bright if you have sexual intercourse during this time.
How to Know If You Are Ovulating?
Menstrual cycle can sometimes be irregular. Thus, determining ovulation time can sometimes be tricky. However, there are several ways that you may use to find out your ovulation day. Pay attention to the changes in your body, check your hormone level using the ovulation predictor kits or simply use the ovulation calculator to track and calculate your fertile days.
Check out some of the changes that may occur in your body during the ovulation phase:
- Fertile Cervical mucus
When nearing ovulation, the secretions near the cervix or the cervical mucus becomes wetter, stickier, and clear. It usually changes from watery texture to raw egg-white texture when you are ovulating. The cervical mucus makes sexual intercourse smoother as it helps the sperm to swim towards the reproductive system easily.
- Basal Body Temperature Rise
You may face a slight change in your body temperature. After the release of an egg from the ovary, your body temperature rises and stays up for a few days. You can keep track of your body temperature every morning by recording the temperature at the same time every day. If your cycle is regular, the rise in your body temperature can help you to predict your next ovulation. - Increase in sex drive
The desire for sexual intercourse often increases before ovulation due to the changes in hormone. This can also help you to identify your fertile days.
Calculating your fertile days? Pregnancy calculator or Ovulation Calculator – which one should be used?
Sometimes, you may not notice the signs above and it is hard to keep track of the changes. Thus, you may prefer to opt for other methods such as using the calculator apps to count your fertile days. The right tool to use to calculate your fertile days is the ovulation calculator or fertility calculator. An ovulation calculator is a tool that provides an estimated date of your ovulation period, given that you are not having other fertility issues. The ovulation calculator helps you to calculate your ovulation and fertile days easily by following few simple steps.
Steps to using Ovulation Calculator
Using the ovulation calculator is easy. You may follow these steps, and you will be able to find your own ovulation date and your fertile days.
Step 1: Key in the first date of your last menstrual cycle. For example, if your period started on 22nd September and lasted until 27th September, the first day of your last menstrual cycle is on the 22nd.
Step 2: Type your average menstrual cycle length. The cycle length is the duration from your last menstruation to your current menstruation. To calculate, take the first day of your last period and the first day of your current period. The number of days in between indicates your cycle length. For example, if your previous period starts on the 22nd of September and your next period starts on the 20th of October, your menstrual cycle is 30 days.
You can also calculate the average of your cycle. In 3 months, if the menstrual cycle is around 30, 29 and 28 days, your average cycle length is 29 days.
Step 3: Press to estimate your ovulation day after filling in the dates. You will see the next ovulation day, the window of ovulation and the date of your next period. The window of ovulation also refers to fertile days. However, these are just the estimation of your ovulation date and may not give an accurate result.
Calculate your fertile days here : Ovulation Calculator
Does knowing ovulation time only important to plan pregnancy?
Well, it is important for all women to understand their body and track their menstrual cycle. Although understanding fertile days, pregnancy calculator and ovulation calculator is more beneficial for those who are trying to conceive (TTC), I believe all women shall constantly keep track of their menstrual cycle. Irregular menstrual cycle may cause problems. Thus, if you notice anything that is slightly off with your menstrual cycle, it is the best to consult a doctor and do general health check-up.
Timed Intercourse, Pregnancy and Pregnancy Calculator
Usually, fertility doctors will suggest couples who are planning to conceive (TTC) to try the “timed intercourse” method. This is a method where the couples are asked to find out their fertile days and have intercourse during this time for there is a better chance to get pregnant. Although, it is possible to get pregnant at any day of the month due to the fluctuations in your cycle, you are most likely to get pregnant during their fertile days.
Some of my patients especially those who are young successfully conceives after practicing the timed intercourse method. After getting pregnant, you should take good care of your health and be aware of the growth of the baby in the womb. You can use the pregnancy calculator to find out the due date and keep track of your baby’s growth. A pregnancy calculator uses basic information such as the last period and cycle length to calculate the due date. This can help you to record your trimesters and baby’s size until the due date.
Using Available Tools to Plan Pregnancy Wisely
Having sexual intercourse at the “right time” increase your chances of having a successful pregnancy. Thus, it is important to know your ovulation time, so that you can predict your fertile days. Pregnancy calculator and ovulation calculator are some of the good tools available to facilitate your pregnancy planning and journey. Anticipating your baby can be nerve-wracking and exciting as you are one step closer to having your dream family. Use the tools available and get all the help and support you need. Plan well and enjoy your pregnancy journey.
Find out more about fertile days and timed intercourse here: Click here for video
You are sure to have many questions. In addressing infertility, the sooner you have them answered, the better. Do list them down and call 03-80699333 (TMC Fertility & Women’s Specialist Centre, Puchong) or +6-03-62871000 (Thomson Hospital, Kota Damansara) or email ask@drnavdeepfertility.com to make an appointment to consult with Dr Navdeep.