Calculating fertile days? Here’s how to do it smartly

Dreaming of a positive pregnancy test? Then of course you want to know when you have the best chance. Desiring children brings hope, excitement and sometimes a little uncertainty. Especially if you notice that you don’t get pregnant right away. You are only fertile for a few days per cycle. That makes getting lucky just a little less obvious than we sometimes think. Where one person has a positive test in no time, the other needs a little more patience. Calculating your fertile days gives you something to hold on to in a period full of expectations. It helps you to know when your ovulation occurs and when your body is most fertile. In this blog you will discover how to easily calculate your ovulation, what you need to know about your ovulation and how to increase your chances of getting pregnant!

Why calculating your fertile days is so important

Calculating your fertile days does not mean being frenetic about your desire to have children. It means understanding how your body works. And that very understanding can give you peace of mind. Because the more insight you have into your cycle, the less you have to question the timing.

When you calculate your ovulation, you can see when your body is preparing for possible fertilization. Your hormones are rising, your endometrium is building and your body is getting ready. Biologically, there is only a short period when an egg can be fertilized. If you know when that phase occurs, you can consciously choose when to give extra attention to intimacy. After that, you may also let it go.

What does your ovulation look like?

During your cycle, an egg matures in one of your ovaries. When your body releases a spike of the LH hormone, that egg is released. That moment is called ovulation. On a 28-day cycle, this often happens around day 14, but if you have a shorter or longer cycle, this moment shifts with it. After ovulation, the egg is fertile for about 12 to 24 hours.

Sperm cells have a little more patience and can survive in your body for up to five days. This creates a fertile period of about five days before ovulation and the day itself. The greatest chance of pregnancy is usually in the two days before ovulation. This means that intercourse after ovulation is often less effective, as the egg may be gone by then. The days before ovulation are biologically the most promising.

How can you calculate your fertile days? Roadmap

Calculating your fertile days starts with understanding your cycle. An average cycle lasts 28 days, but anything between 21 and 35 days can be normal.

• Step 1: Determine the length of your cycle
  Write down the first day of your period. That is day one. Continue counting until the day before your next period begins. That total number of days is your cycle length.
• Step 2: Calculate your probable ovulation
  Subtract 14 days from your total cycle length. For example, on a 30-day cycle, your ovulation will take place around day 16. This is a guideline, not an exact science, but it gives a good indication.
• Step 3: Determine your fertile period
  Count back five days from your presumed ovulation. Those days plus the day of your ovulation make up your fertile period. During this phase, you are most likely to get pregnant.
• Step 4: Keep track of your cycle in an app
  Do you know approximately when your ovulation day falls? Then it can be nice to keep track of it in an app, such as My Calendar. Here you can easily record your period, your ovulation and when you had intercourse. Should you get pregnant, you will immediately have a good indication of the beginning of your pregnancy. Use an app primarily as an aid, not as a means of control. If you notice that it makes you restless or that you are constantly occupied with it, it is better not to use it. A desire to have a baby sometimes requires an overview, but also relaxation. So choose what suits you and what feels right at this stage!

Want to calculate your ovulation with more certainty? Then also pay attention to physical signs. Think of slight ovulation pain, sensitive breasts or changes in your vaginal discharge that often becomes brighter and more elastic around ovulation. An ovulation test can additionally help measure the LH peak in your urine, allowing you to more accurately calculate your ovulation day.

Do you have an irregular cycle? If so, keep records for several months. Patterns often become apparent after three to six cycles. If necessary, you can use tools that measure hormone changes. This way, calculating fertile days becomes more reliable and you get a better grip on your own cycle.

Want to know more about calculating your fertile days or have other questions? Then feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you!