BEST TIME TO CONCEIVE NOT ON DAY OF OVULATION!!!

New evidence on conception and fertility may change the rationale behind when and how women should time intercourse when trying to conceive, suggests a commentary in the December 2002 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Researchers from the University of Utah reviewed new data that examined the timing of intercourse relative to the estimated day a woman ovulates. They found that a woman is most likely to become pregnant one to two days prior to ovulation rather than on the actual day of ovulation, as popularly believed.

In addition to identifying when a woman is most
fertile, the researchers analyzed the latest methods used to predict the approach of ovulation. They concluded that either a commercial fertility monitor or techniques that chart fertility based on changes in ******l discharge were most effective in determining the optimal window of fertility. Traditional methods such as monitoring basal body temperature and using menstrual calendar calculations are not clinically based nor as reliable in determining the period of time before ovulation, say researchers.

Researchers hope that their analysis will assist care providers in advising women who want to get pregnant. Pre-conception counseling to assess fertility and timing of intercourse may reduce the time it takes for many couples to conceive, and also reduce unnecessary interventions and cost.

Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Press Release, November 29, 2002

Baby-making basics: Everything you need to know about your fertility cycle

Fertility awareness may be a term that you are unfamiliar with. It simply means learning to read your body's special fertility signals. Becoming more conscious of your unique fertility cycle can help you, whether you are hoping to improve your chance of conceiving or would like to avoid conception. Becoming knowledgeable about your body’s own rhythm also helps you to better predict the date of your next menstruation, can help you know early on if you are pregnant, and can alert you to possible unhealthy changes if you detect a deviation from your typical patterns. This body awareness can be the ultimate in early preventive health care.

How can you become more aware of your personal fertility signals?

Becoming familiar with your body’s fertility messages involves looking at three basic fertility signs -- basal body temperature (BBT), cervical secretion changes, and cervical position. All three of these markers of fertility change throughout a woman’s cycle. By observing these changes each day, and recording them you will begin to discover your own fertility rhythm.

Your menstrual cycle: A key to understanding your fertility

In understanding your fertility signs, it is very important that you become aware of the changes that take place in your body during the menstrual cycle. Menstruation is the shedding of the inner lining of the uterus when a pregnancy does not occur in that particular cycle. Your estrogen and progesterone levels are very low on the first day of menstruation, day one of your cycle. Estrogen levels begin to increase, stimulating the growth, or proliferation, of the lining of the uterus, in preparation for a pregnancy. Estrogen is the dominant hormone in the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle. Around day 14 of your cycle, and immediately prior to ovulation, estrogen levels peak, triggering a release of an egg from one of the ovaries. Once an egg is released, it can be fertilized for approximately 12 to 24 hours. This is the best time to have intercourse to achieve a pregnancy. Following ovulation, estrogen levels drop and progesterone rises and becomes dominant for the next two weeks. Progesterone causes the uterine lining to mature, becoming more compact, so that it is able to support and nurture a fertilized egg. If implantation of a fertilized egg does not occur, progesterone levels drop, causing the onset of menstruation, within 48 hours (around day 28).

Baby-making basics: Everything you need to know about your fertility cycle

How can you become more aware of your personal fertility signals?

Becoming familiar with your body’s fertility messages involves looking at three basic fertility signs -- basal body temperature (BBT), cervical secretion changes, and cervical position. All three of these markers of fertility change throughout a woman’s cycle. By observing these changes each day, and recording them you will begin to discover your own fertility rhythm.

Hi Shamma,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like FAM 'Fertility Awareness Method.' (temp, c*rvical mucous, c*rvical position).

I've been using that for about two or three years now to avoid pregnancy. It works, but it's NOT for everyone.

I think it's going to be EXTREMELY useful when I'm ready to TTC. I've come to know my body so much now, that I always know when I'm fertile.

Good luck to everyone TTC!!!

No kidding

They found that a woman is most likely to become pregnant one to two days prior to ovulation rather than on the actual day of ovulation, as popularly believed.



this is not new news

Around day 14 of your cycle, and immediately prior to ovulation, estrogen levels peak, triggering a release of an egg from one of the ovaries. Once an egg is released, it can be fertilized for approximately 12 to 24 hours

**This is not always true, especially if you have irregular periods or longer cycles**

Thanks again for the info