When is your Fertility Time?

You successfully conceive when fertilisation of the egg by the sperm takes place in the ovary and its implantation in the uterine wall. Not all couples conceive as soon as they stop oral contraception and decide to become parents, as some couples are more fertile than others. It may take many cycles for conception to occur, even if both partners are normally fertile, healthy, fit and sexually active. What is important to conceive is knowing when is the best time to conceive and what is your fertility time.

Did you know that women remain fertile for only 24 hours a month? During ovulation the ovum or egg is released by the ovary into the fallopian tube. Whereas ovum remain ripe for 24 hours, male sperm have a longer life span, surviving for four to five days in a woman's body. This means that there are about five or six days during which time conception could possibly occur each month. To maximise the chances of conception, sexual intercourse ideally should occur in the six days leading up to and on the day of ovulation as the quality of sperm deteriorates the longer it is inside the woman's body.

Most women ovulate in the middle of their menstrual cycle. In a 28-day cycle, ovulation will occur around day 14. Thus during this time you should have more sex in order to be able to conceive. But it is also difficult to know when you are infact ovulating. The best bet is to have sex each alternate day from day 10 after your menstrual cycle.

You can also recognise the following signs, which will inform you that you are ovulating.

• A distinct rise in temperature
• The cervix becomes softer and slightly more open
• The mucus plug, or discharge, comes away from the cervix to allow the entry of sperm
• The discharge has a similar consistency to egg white and is elastic in texture
• An increased libido
• A tugging sensation in her lower abdomen

During ovulation the discharge is clean, thin and elastic and has a similar consistency to egg white. The nature of this fertile mucus helps the sperm of your partner to swim up through the vagina and cervix, through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes thereby helping you conceive.