How to Track Ovulation to Get Pregnant

Ovulation and knowing when you ovulate is the key to getting pregnant. For some couples (even those with no fertility problems) conceiving a baby can take months because they don't realize just how important ovulation is. The day of ovulation and the few days surrounding it are the only days which conception can take place. Read on for ways to know when you're ovulating and therefore when you can get pregnant.

Things You'll Need

• A partner
• A calendar

Instructions

1. 

   Before you even try to get pregnant it's important to discuss your plans for a baby with your OB/GYN. Under the doctor's care you can safely come off contraceptives, if you're using the birth control pill. Your doctor may recommend having two menstrual cycles between the time you stop taking the pill and when you try to conceive. You should also start taking a prenatal vitamin and folic acid.

2. Timing is the most important thing to consider when trying to get pregnant. Try to pinpoint when you're ovulating to know when you have the best chance of conceiving. There are only a few days in your cycle when you're fertile enough to actually become pregnant. To figure out when you're ovulating and therefore when to have intercourse you can use an ovulation calender. You can also simply pay close attention to your body's signs.

3. 

   One of the most common ways to find out when you're ovulating is to count. This works best for women who have a regular and predictable cycle. If the first day of your period is day 1, most women ovulate days 11-14. You should try to conceive on these days, along with on days 9 and 15. If you want to know for sure, you can buy ovulation tests.

4. You'll know it's prime time to get pregnant when you see a change in your cervical fluid. You're most fertile when you have clear mucus that's stretchy like the white of an egg. When you notice this change in cervical fluid, it's prime time for conceiving a baby.

5. 

   Track your temperature. It can be an ordeal to keep track of your basal body temperature, but it's one of the sure ways to know when you're ovulating. Buy a basal thermometer and take your temperature first thing in the morning. It's important to take your temperature at the same time everyday, and before you even get out of bed. When you notice a slight DROP in your temperature it's a signal that you're ovulating.

6. Some women say they can "feel" ovulation. Pay attention to a slight cramping feeling in your abdomen around the time you think you should be ovulating.

7. To get pregnant, it's important to have intercourse often, but not too often. You should try to get pregnant the day you ovulate and the days around ovulation. If you do it too much your partner may have a reduced sperm count, making it more difficult to conceive. Try conceiving the day you ovulate and two days before, but not the day in between.

8. After you have intercourse spend about 20-30 minutes lying flat on your back with your bottom slightly elevated on a pillow.

9. Be patient (and have fun). It takes the average couple six months to conceive a baby.

Tips & Warnings

• Folic acid is recommended for all women of child bearing age, regardless of if you're trying to get pregnant.

• Always consult your doctor before trying to get pregnant.

• If you have trouble conceiving you and your partner may want to consider both seeing a doctor to rule out any fertility problems.

Resources

• Early Pregnancy Symptoms