Fertile Window

Learn the top 4 scientific methods to know the most likely time of conception or fertile window.

There are several methods of determining the most likely time of conception, or the fertile window. Combining multiple methods can determine the exact time of conception. Intercourse during this period increases the chances of rapid conception.

This article discusses methods for determining when you are most likely to get pregnant and how many days after your period to conceive. To know what age to try for a baby, you can read the right age to have a baby article.

1. Knowing the exact time of conception by monitoring white discharge

Who does this method apply to?

Irrespective of whether the period is regular or irregular, everyone can use this method of bleaching. But for those who have irregular periods, it is very beneficial. Because of other methods, it is a bit difficult to find out the most likely time of their conception.

There are various methods available for monitoring white discharge.

There are four types of white discharge in girls every month.

1) The first condition is immediately after menstruation when there is no white discharge. If the menstrual tract feels very dry, the chance of conception is close to zero (0.3 percent).

2) In the next stage, if the menstrual tract feels slightly wet but you do not see or touch any vaginal discharge, then the chance of conception is slightly more than 1 percent (1.3 percent).

First, not everyone experiences these two conditions. Both of these conditions can occur during menstruation, especially in those with short menstrual cycles.

Almost everyone experiences the third and fourth conditions.

3) In the third stage, a thick white discharge occurs. It sticks to the fingers. The chance of conception then increases to 2.5 percent.

4) the discharge is very thin and slippery in the fourth stage. A bit like raw egg whites, they are smooth and slippery. See transparent. Pulling it with two fingers can enlarge the discharge. Even if enlarged by a few inches, it remains unbroken. Then the chances of conception increase a lot. 28.6 percent, which comes close to 30 percent.

After the end of this fourth stage, the discharge becomes thick and sticky, or there is no discharge at all. However, a thin discharge just before their period is common, but it does not indicate pregnancy.

How do I use this method?

3 days from the day you spot the discharge to the last day of thin, slimy discharge—this is a good time to try for a baby.

Why changes in white discharge?

For some reason, the white discharge changes, so this method can sometimes be less effective. Some of these are:

Intercourse
Using lubricant or something slippery during intercourse
Some drugs
Breastfeeding the baby
Taking birth control pills
Any surgical procedure involving the cervix
Any type of vaginal infection

2. Knowing the exact time of conception by measuring body temperature

The second method is to measure the body temperature to understand the most likely time.

Methods of measuring temperature

The body temperature is slightly lower after menstruation. After the egg is released from the ovary, i.e., when the egg hatches, a woman’s body temperature rises slightly. This change is usually incomprehensible unless measured, as it is very small, such as 0.2°C or 0.4°F. But if you take your body temperature every day, you will know when it rises.

In this case, remember one rule: six after three. Six consecutive days of low temperatures should be followed by three consecutive days of high temperatures. How much would be more? at least 0.2 degrees Celsius or 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit. It won’t happen if the temperature comes in one day and then goes away again. Temperatures can rise suddenly due to various reasons. The fertile window lasts until the third day after the onset of continuous high temperatures. As long as these high temperatures persist, assume the fertile window is over after three days.

Rules for measuring temperatures correctly

When to measure? Take your temperature in bed after waking up, before doing anything else. Try to measure at the same time every day. That is, you have to practice waking up at the same time regularly. Keep the thermometer near the bed.
Where to measure? Many of us measure the temperature under the armpit. You can’t do that here. Measure the temperature of the mouth. Place the thermometer under the tongue and close the mouth.
What type of thermometer should I use? A simple mercury thermometer for measuring fever does not detect such subtle changes. A digital thermometer should be used. It is available for purchase at a low cost in various pharmacies.

This method does not tell when the fertile window starts, but when it ends.

How do I use this method?

Using the white discharge method that I explained a little earlier, start trying to conceive from the day the white discharge starts and follow this method until the third day after the temperature rises. The most likely time of conception will be determined.

When can body temperature change?

Body temperature can change if you are under stress or lack sleep. Again, any kind of illness in the body increases the temperature. To correctly use the fertile window by measuring body temperature, one should note the daily temperature on a chart. If there is a sudden increase in temperature, if you know the reason for this increase, you can also note it down.

3. Ways to Conceive the Standard Day Method

Who does this method apply to?

This method will work for you if your menstrual cycle—

Never less than 26 days
Never older than 32 days

Standard Day Method

According to this method, your fertile window, or most likely period, is from day 8 to day 19 after the start of menstruation. That is, if your period starts on the 1st, then you will have a higher chance of conceiving from the 8th to the 19th.

How do I calculate the menstrual cycle?

Mark the first day of menstruation on the calendar. There is no need to mark the end of menstruation. After that, mark the date on the calendar on which the period will start again. The number of days between these two dates is the length of your menstrual cycle.

Two mistakes are commonly seen while calculating the menstrual cycle. Many people start counting at the end of menstruation. However, the calculation should begin from the day when menstruation starts. Then many people also count the day of the start of the next period. Calculate the new cycle from the day the next menstrual period begins.

Let’s say your period starts on the 1st, and then starts again on the 29th of the same month. So the cycle begins on January 1st, ends on February 28th, and begins again on January 29th. So this time, your cycle was 28 days.

How do I use this method?

Instead of using this method alone, try to use it in combination with other methods. The egg is not always released within the 8th to 19th day. For this, other methods are also explained.

The effectiveness of the standard-day method can be reduced for various reasons. For example-

Breastfeeding the baby
Using birth control pills
Right after conception

4. How to get pregnant by keeping track of the calendar

Method number 4 is a bit difficult to calculate but works quite well.

A little earlier, we saw how to calculate the menstrual cycle. According to this rule, a monthly account should be kept for at least six months. This will give you 6-7 cycles of length. All may not be the same length. Which one will come in 33 days, and which one will have 26 days? After obtaining the length of the six cycles, the longest and shortest cycle must be selected.

The number you get by subtracting 18 from the shortest cycle is the start of your fertile window on that day of your cycle. And the number you get after subtracting 11 from the longest cycle is the last day of your fertile window.

Let’s say your shortest cycle is 26 days. If you subtract 18 from here, you get 8. That is, the beginning of the fertile window on the eighth day of your cycle. Next, let’s say your longest cycle is 33 days. If you subtract 11, you get 22. That means the 22nd day of your cycle is the last day.

So your fertile window is from day 8 to day 22, after menstruation starts. On any of these days, your ovaries are likely to ovulate. So if you have intercourse during this period, your chances of conception will be high.

5. Other methods of conception

There are some other ways. For example-

Ovulation test kits are available at many pharmacies and are somewhat similar to pregnancy tests. Measuring the level of hormones in the urine tells when the egg is likely to come out. You can also use them, but the price is relatively high.
Some apps can be downloaded on mobile phones. For example: Flo, Clue, Glow. By setting the date of menstruation, they calculate the fertile window. But no app is 100% reliable. Using these you can get an idea about the length of your bike.
Also, after ovulation, there may be pain in the breast or lower abdomen, and the abdomen may feel flat. However, determining the fertile window using these signs is not reliable.
Finally, not everyone’s fertile window occurs at the same time, and the same person may have regular periods at different times of the month. So by paying attention to your body’s symptoms (e.g., temperature, discharge), you will know the time better.

None of the discussed methods can ensure the exact time of egg release from the ovary. But if the methods are followed, especially if several methods are combined, the chances of conception are greatly increased.

Couples who have sex after 1 or 2 days have a success rate of over 80 percent within 1 year. That is, there is no reason to panic if you are not successful after 3/4 months of trying. It may take time. If you are not successful even after trying regularly for a year, consult a doctor. Consult a doctor if the woman is over 35 years old and has been trying for 6 months without success.