When is the Best Time to Get Pregnant? - Day & Good Time

The menstrual cycle is a normal physiological process that occurs in the female reproductive system. It involves the release of an egg from the ovary and the shedding of the lining of the uterus if the egg is not fertilized. 

The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the growth and shedding of the uterine lining and the maturation and release of the egg.

The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, the ovulatory phase, and the luteal phase.

1. Menstrual Phase: The menstrual phase marks the beginning of the menstrual cycle and is characterized by the shedding of the uterine lining, resulting in bleeding that lasts 3 to 7 days.
2. Follicular Phase: The follicular phase begins after the menstrual phase and is characterized by the growth and development of a follicle in the ovary, which contains an immature egg. Estrogen levels rise during this phase, which stimulates the growth and thickening of the uterine lining.
3. Ovulatory Phase: The ovulatory phase occurs when the mature egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. This typically occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, but can vary in length depending on the individual.
4. Luteal Phase: The luteal phase begins after ovulation and is characterized by the formation of a corpus luteum in the ovary, which produces progesterone to prepare the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum breaks down and the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease, causing the shedding of the uterine lining and the start of a new menstrual cycle.

The length of the menstrual cycle can vary from woman to woman, with an average cycle length of 28 days. However, cycles can range from 21 to 35 days or longer. Regular menstrual cycles occur when the length of the cycle is consistent from month to month. Irregular menstrual cycles can be caused by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, weight changes, and certain medical conditions.

A typical woman's menstrual cycle is summarised in the following table, along with the likelihood of being fertile at each stage. This table can be used to know when is the best time to get pregnant:

According to gynaecologists, the ideal time to get pregnant is when a woman is ovulating. This period lasts for 6 days every month. During this period, the female egg remains functional for 12 to 24 hours after its release. In this particular 6-day window, the sperm has to cease its movement and meet an egg.

So, once ovulation starts, engaging in unprotected intercourse will increase the chances of conceiving and might lead to pregnancy. However, do remember that pinpointing a particular day, or time is not possible, so trying frequently will only increase the chances.

But you will have to find out exactly when you'll be ovulating if you wish to be more accurate about which time is best for pregnancy. The following determining factors play an important role to help in finding out when you'll be ovulating in any particular cycle:

1. The duration of a female's menstrual cycle.
2. How regular are your periods.

It is likely that you may be ovulating in the middle of your menstruation period if you usually have a fairly normal 28-day cycle. If your menstrual cycle is short, you can expect to be ovulating a few days after your menstruation stops. 

The duration of the menstrual cycle for several women varies from month to month, and as a result, the reproductive window may start shifting if your menstrual cycle is irregular. It is therefore recommended to have intercourse every 2 to 3 days throughout your cycle. Instead of concentrating all your efforts on the days you anticipate ovulation, it is less stressful and more productive.

Finding out when you ovulate might help you know the best time to get pregnant. In order to do so, you need to be aware of the symptoms of ovulating. Typically, three weeks before your next period, you will start ovulating.

Now, to find out if you're ovulating, try keeping an eye out for the following:

1. Cervical Mucus Monitoring: Checking your cervical mucus daily is one of the simplest ways to determine your most fertile days and the good time for pregnancy. The mucus would appear watery or egg-white-like discharge.
2. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting: You can also measure your basal body temperature throughout your cycle to determine when you are ovulating. When you ovulate, your basal body temperature slightly increases. 
3. Ovulation Predictor Kits: You may also use ovulation calculators to learn more about your reproductive window. All you'll need to know is when your last period started and how long a typical cycle is for you.
   1. Check for soreness on one side of your stomach.
   2. Also, if you are feeling more sexually aroused can indicate that you may be ovulating.

Fertility is a complex process that depends on a variety of factors. While some couples are able to conceive easily, others may experience difficulties due to a range of factors that can affect fertility. These factors can include

1. Age: Fertility declines with age, particularly for women over the age of 35.
2. Weight: Being underweight or overweight can affect hormone levels and disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to fertility problems.
3. Hormonal imbalances: Imbalances in hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can interfere with ovulation and conception.
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a condition that affects hormone levels and can cause irregular periods and infertility.
5. Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it, causing scarring and blockages that can interfere with conception.
6. Medications: Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and some antidepressants, can affect fertility.
7. Smoking, alcohol, and drug use: These substances can damage reproductive organs and disrupt hormone levels, leading to fertility problems.
8. Stress: Chronic stress can interfere with hormone levels and disrupt ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
9. Environmental factors: Exposure to certain chemicals and toxins, such as pesticides and lead, can affect fertility.
10. Genetic factors: Certain genetic conditions, such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome, can affect fertility.

Everyone's family planning experiences are unique, so you are not alone if getting pregnant takes longer than anticipated. Do your best, and do not put too much pressure on yourself or your spouse. Contact your healthcare practitioner for assistance if you're struggling with the stress of trying for a baby and wish to know the perfect time for pregnancy. Following the tips mentioned below may improve your chances of getting pregnant:

1. Throughout your cycle, having sex every day or every other day is advisable. Although it is not necessary to schedule intercourse with your reproductive window, doing so may improve your chances of getting pregnant.
2. Have a balanced diet and try to exercise on a daily basis. Severe weight fluctuations have been linked to illnesses that can affect fertility.
3. Strive to limit your alcohol consumption to the suggested level. It may damage both your ability to conceive and the health of your unborn child.
4. Attempt to quit smoking. Your reproductive health, hormone balance and fertility can all be impacted by smoking.
5. It is vital to opt for a more sperm-friendly lube because the sperm quality can be harmed otherwise.

It's not always true that women with irregular periods are less fertile than those with regular cycles. However, you may want to visit your doctor if:

1. Your periods fluctuate unexpectedly.
2. There is a significant difference of at least 20 days between your menstrual cycles.
3. Your periods are irregular, and you're having trouble getting pregnant.
4. Your periods are less than 21 days apart or more than 35 days long, lasting longer than 7 days.

Period irregularities can occasionally be brought on by thyroid problems or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is preferable to seek medical treatment sooner than later because these illnesses may hinder your ability to conceive.

Determining whether you're fertile if your periods are more irregular can be more challenging. As a result, examine the fertile mucus regularly to know the best time to get pregnant. When you detect two or more days of moist, slick mucous, try to engage in sexual activity. Or you could simply engage in routine intercourse throughout your cycle.

The purpose of birth control pills is to stop unplanned pregnancies. The pill prevents pregnancy by delivering artificial hormones that suppress ovulation and uterine lining thickening. Hence, even if the ovaries release an egg, a fertilised egg can't attach to the uterine wall. Moreover, the pill thickens cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from reaching an egg.Some women use ovulation kits to determine which time is the best for pregnancy.

Most of these ovulation tests look out for the luteinizing hormone (LH), the true catalyst for egg release. Although using them to schedule intercourse won't necessarily boost your chances of getting pregnant naturally, you might use them to determine when you are most fertile during your cycle. 

It is recommended that couples should try to conceive for at least one year before seeking medical assistance, as it can take time for conception to occur. However, there are some cases where it may be advisable to consult a healthcare provider sooner. These include:

1. Age: Women over the age of 35 may want to seek medical advice after six months of trying to conceive, as fertility declines with age.
2. Irregular periods: Women with irregular periods may have difficulty predicting ovulation, making it harder to conceive. A healthcare provider can help identify any underlying issues and provide guidance on tracking ovulation.
3. History of reproductive disorders: Women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or other reproductive disorders may want to seek medical advice before trying to conceive.
4. Male fertility issues: If a man has a history of low sperm count or other fertility issues, it may be advisable to seek medical advice before trying to conceive.
5. Previous miscarriages: Couples who have experienced multiple miscarriages may want to seek medical advice to identify any underlying issues that may be affecting fertility.
6. Lifestyle factors: Couples who engage in lifestyle factors that may affect fertility, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, may want to seek medical advice before trying to conceive.

To sum up, hopefully, now you have an idea of ‘when is the best time to get pregnant’. So, if you are planning to become a parent then plan accordingly.  Stay assured that you are in sync with your ovulation cycle. Furthermore, to identify potential causes of difficulties in conceiving, the doctor will ask you a lot of questions about your past medical history. Last, but not least, keep in mind that even 85% of healthy women take almost a year to become pregnant, irrespective of where one is in the fertility journey.

So, if you're worried about getting pregnant or wish to know when you're ovulating, you may reach out to a doctor at HexaHealth about when it's ideal to conceive. The experts here will guide you through the process and provide all the necessary assistance that is required.