How do you know when you are most fertile? Well, what might often seem to be the easiest thing for a woman to crack if often that much harder to know. Accurately calculating your ovulation window gets a little tricky with the change in hormones through your menstrual cycle but with the right consultation, you have nothing to worry about.
The past decade has seen couples too busy and engrossed in their work with endless deadlines and benchmarks to fulfill. So, a couple’s marital life and quality time with one another has completely gone for a toss. There is hardly any time left to plan for a baby.
We got in touch with Dr Rajeshwari Pawar, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Motherhood Hospitals, Pune to guide you on everything you need to know about your fertile period.
How do you count the estimated day of ovulation?
Identifying the exact timing of the fertile period, and in turn ovulation (release of egg from the ovary), is very important when planning for a baby. It all depends on your menstrual cycle. Dr Rajeshwari explains: “For a woman who has a regular 28-day cycle, counting 14 days retrospectively backward would accurately identify the ‘The Day Of Ovulation’. For a woman who has a 30-day regular cycle, counting backward by 14 days would give ‘Day 16’ as the day of ovulation.” For a woman who has a shorter cycle of 25 days, “Fourteen day backward counting would give ‘Day 11’ as the day of ovulation. Since the lifespan of sperm is 48 hours and that of an egg is 24 hours,” said Dr Rajeshwari.
Keeping track of your ovulation dates can get stressful
A fertile period can be anywhere from 2 days prior to ovulation to 2 days after ovulation and fertilization can still be expected to happen if one has sex over this 4 to 5 days period. However, couples who follow this method and keep counting for the day of ovulation often get stressed out.
Here’s a simple way out for couples
Dr Rajeshwari suggests: “A simpler method is to have sexual intercourse at least once on alternate days over a 20-day period starting from day 9 or day 10 of the cycle (where day 1 is the first day of the period).” This method is valid for couples who have regular cycles.
Unfortunately, this formula doesn’t apply for those who don’t have regular cycles
It’s not a problem if you don’t have sex on the exact date of ovulation. “The sperms will last for 48 hours and the egg will last for 24 hours. Around the time of ovulation, a day before or after, there are high chances of pregnancy. Somebody who doesn’t have regular cycles, this formula will not work,” adds Dr Rajeshwari. For those who have irregular, delayed cycles, Dr Rajeshwari suggests other tests like LH kit (ovulation kit) or sonographic monitoring of ovulation. For the latter, one needs to approach a gynaecologist.
Try using LH strips to predict your rise in hormones
One way to keep track of your hormones during this phase of planning for your baby is by using LH strips. If you’re having regular intercourse ten days after your period stops, then an LH strip is a great tool. Easily available at chemist shops, these test strips work by measuring levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. A rise in this hormone means that the ovary is all set to release the egg and that ovulation will most likely occur within 12 to 36 hours. Dr Rajeshwari also suggests getting a sonography test done for monitoring the ovulation.
