Fertile days are the days a woman is most likely to get pregnant.
See also: Infertility
Alternative Names
Basal body temperature
Information
When trying to conceive a baby, many couples plan intercourse around days 11 - 14 of the woman's 28-day cycle. However, it is often difficult to know exactly when ovulation is going to occur. Doctors recommend that couples who are trying to have a baby have intercourse between days 7 and 20 of a woman's menstrual cycle. Studies have shown that having intercourse every other day or every third day works just as well as having intercourse every day in order to become pregnant.
Remember that the sperm can live inside a woman’s body for 3-5 days. However, a released egg only lives for 12-24 hours, so don’t wait until you think ovulation has occurred to have intercourse.
If you have an irregular menstrual cycle and are no sure when or if you are ovulating, ovulation predictor kit can help. These kits, which can be bought at most drug stores, check for LH (luteinizing hormone) in the urine.
There are other various other methods to help detect when you are most likely to be able to conceive a baby.
Evaluating Your Cervical Fluid
Cervical fluid protects the sperm and helps it move through the cervix toward the uterus and fallopian tubes. Cervical fluid changes in preparation for ovulation. You will notice clear differences in how it looks and feels over the course of the cycle.
Menstrual period occurring (no cervical fluid is present)
Vagina is dry (no cervical fluid is present)
Sticky/rubbery fluid
Wet/creamy/white fluid -- FERTILE
Slippery/stretchy/clear "egg white" fluid -- VERY FERTILE
Dry (no cervical fluid)
The cervical fluid will be slippery and stretchy on your most fertile days. You can use your fingers to check the consistency of your cervical fluid.
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