Getting Pregnant
For many women waiting for conception can be a stressful and anxious time so Female First got some top tips for getting pregnant from midwife Sharon Trotter....
When is the best time for me to get pregnant?
Depending on the length of your menstrual cycle (these can vary from 21-35 days and even longer) ovulation usually occurs around 14 days before your period starts i.e. if your cycle is normally 28 days then you will ovulate on the 14th day. This gives a window of 3-4 days when pregnancy can be achieved. This is the best time to try for a baby.
How do I make the best of my 3-4 day window?
Ovulation occurs when an egg/ovum is released from a mature follicle within the ovary. This usually happens once a month throughout a woman’s reproductive life.
How to tell if you are ovulating:
Basal body temperature (BBT): daily temperature recordings show that at ovulation your temperature spikes by 0.5 -1 degree centigrade.
Cervical mucus changes: around the time of ovulation the mucus in the cervix changes from being thick and opaque to become thin, clear and stringy. This is also a sign that a woman is at her most fertile.
Ovulation tests, such as the First Response Ovulation Test, can be bought from Boots and chemists. They are simple urine tests that detect specific hormone (luteinising hormone), which signal ovulation.
Blood tests and ultrasound scans of the ovary will give conclusive evidence of ovulation but are not usually required unless infertility is suspected. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns.
How do I use an ovulation test properly ?
Ovulation test sticks predict ovulation by testing levels of luteinising hormone (LH) which surges to stimulate the release of an egg. The sticks are simple to use urine tests and should ideally be used first thing in the morning when levels will not be diluted by fluids you have drunk. A positive result will mean that you will ovulate in the next 24 to 36 hours.
Count the first day of your period as day one then use the table below to work out when to start testing. If your cycle varies by a few days each month work out the average for the last 3 months. The day you begin testing is listed below the number of days in your normal cycle. For example, looking at the chart, if your period normally begins every 28 days, you should begin testing 11 days from the beginning of your last period.
See www.firstresponsefertility.com for more tips on using ovulation test sticks or use the ‘ask a midwife’ service for a personlised response direct to your email.
Now you know when you ovulate you can maximise the changes of conception. Once released, eggs only live for about 24 hours. Sperm on the other hand can live for 5 days so it makes sense for the sperm to have already made their journey to the egg, ready and waiting for the egg when it is released. If you wait until ovulation has happened to try, the chances of the egg and sperm finding each other are slimmer.
As well as having sex before ovulation also ensure the sperm are fresh enough. It’s best that your partner doesn’t try to build his own personal sperm bank by saving up, as the quality and quantity will be reduced. As well as having sex with fresh sperm at your LH surge, once you know your cycle better, have sex every other day from about 7 days before you are due to ovulate to maximise your chances. By doing this there is time for your partner to make enough sperm to increase your chances of conception. If your cycle is irregular have sex every couple of days from the end of your period.
How long should you leave between pregnancies?
Breastfeeding is nature’s way of making the natural, and therefore safer, gap between children longer (usually around 2-3 years). This benefits both mother and infant. However breastfeeding should not be relied upon as a method of contraception.
The new and improved First Response Early Results Pregnancy test (rrp from £8.25) can now detect the pregnancy hormone up to six days before a woman’s missed period – two days before other at-home tests.
The new test is available to buy as single (rrp £8.25) or double pack (rrp £10.95) from Boots, Superdrug, Sainsbury’s and independent chemists nationwide.
Sharon Trotter is an independent Midwife and founder of tipslimited.com.