If you’re trying to get pregnant you might consider charting Fertility Charting. This exercise helps to identify your peak days; allowing you to plan a time for intercourse that falls during your ‘peak’ time, thus increasing your chances of getting pregnant. There are only a few days each month that you’re most fertile; just before and during ovulation. Use a ‘P’ to mark your chart to keep track of your peak days.
Chart Your Peak Days
Your chart will allow you to keep track of your peak days by keeping track of the days that your cervical mucus is dry and days it is not; and every day in between. You may have noticed that as your menstrual cycle progresses the mucus becomes rather abundant. Just before you ovulate and also during ovulation the mucus will resemble the consistency of an egg-white; thin and clear.
When you’re trying to get pregnant and you reach this stage, you are most fertile and should plan intercourse to increase your chances of successfully getting pregnant. On your last day of the abundant mucus, mark your calendar with a ‘P’.
Peak Days & Pregnancy Prevention
If you are not trying to get pregnant and want to prevent such an occurrence, charting your peak day will help too. When you determine your peak day, wait at least four days after to engage in intercourse, but only if your mucus has dried. If you experience cervical mucus at any other time it’s best to use protection if engaging in intercourse while mucus is present.
Peak Days & Increasing Conception Chances
When trying to conceive it helps to keep a chart to track your peak days, however you will want to begin having intercourse in the days before your peak day. When your period has ended, your cervical mucus will increase noticeably. It first appears creamy-like and then changes to a more egg-white consistency; clear, thin and ‘stretchy’.
While you’re already aware that this indicates ovulation, it’s better to have intercourse before this mucus appears, if possible. Why? Sperm will survive for up to five days but your egg will only last 24 hours. Therefore, having intercourse prior to the appearance of mucus will increase your chances with more opportunities, rather than waiting until the day of noticeable mucus, only giving you a one day opportunity to try for pregnancy.
Additionally, knowing your peak days is important when trying to conceive because it’s the time when you’re most likely to ovulate. Peak days are usually around 14 days before your next period is due, but this can vary depending on the length of your menstrual cycle. Keeping track of your peak days and ovulation cycles can also help your doctor if you experience difficulties in conceiving.
There are a few methods to help determine your peak days and ovulation cycles. One method is to use an ovulation predictor kit, which measures the luteinising hormone (LH) in your urine that signals ovulation is about to occur. Another method is to track your basal body temperature, which typically rises by half a degree on the day of ovulation. Lastly, you can also track changes in your cervical mucus, as mentioned earlier.
It’s important to remember that while tracking your peak days can increase your chances of conception, it’s not a guarantee. It’s also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Remember to be patient and seek medical advice if needed.
Start Fertility Charting with our FREE Fertility Chart
A Basal Thermometer is an important buy if you are planning on charting your basal body temperature (BBT) so that you can find out when you are about to ovulate. Variations in basal temperature can help you track the changes in menstrual cycle and predict when ovulation might occur. Once you have predicted your most fertile period you can schedule intercourse accordingly.
All of our basal thermometers are supplied with a FREE Fertility Chart which can be downloaded and printed out. Remember to order a reliable ovulation thermometer to use with this chart. Don’t forget, you can also use ovulation tests when you are fertility charting.
Photo by Zoom Baby
This post first appeared in July 2015 and has been updated regularly since
Zoom Baby is a leading supplier of Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation Test Kits
