WHEN IS A WOMAN MOST LIKELY TO CONCEIVE?

 

• Getting pregnant is the dream of every married couple the world over.  Sometimes when this doesn't happen, the effect can be overwhelming especially if having a baby or babies is their top priority at the moment! On the other hand, the news of a growing life inside the life of any woman can produce profuse joy in any family! However, getting the right information at the right time can provide a comforting solution to the couple in particular and the world at large! 

 

 HORMONES Hormones are biochemical substances which are produced in the body of both male and female for specific function or functions. They carry messages to the different parts of the body for biological processes to take place. The female hormones control a variety of activities including the monthly cycles which predominantly affect conception among other things! These biochemicals control especially the woman’s cycles which determine her ovulation, -the release of an egg, the thickening of the womb lining, her menstrual periods and so on. But, for pregnancy to occur, the woman must be prepared for her ovulation by her hormones as her only time for conception is during this event. Therefore, I'm going to examine the different methods to adopt to ensure a possibility of conception which is the goal of this write-up Now let's get back to our question! 

 

WHEN IS A WOMAN MOST LIKELY TO CONCEIVE? A woman is most likely to conceive during her ovulation. Though a greater number conceive immediately after it. During this time, an egg is released from her ovaries and travel down her Fallopian tube. If a woman wants to conceive, the best time to conceive is this period. This is because, as the sperm from her partner travels up the Fallopian tube, it is most likely going to be waiting as the egg is released. This way, her chances of conception are high. An egg can survive for about 24 hours after it is released from the ovary and a sperm can fuse with it at any point within the Fallopian tube. Since conception has a lot to do with the hormonal process of ovulation, understanding the methods or ways of calculating ovulation is key if the woman is to know when she is most likely to take in. This is explained in the following:

 

 1. THE MUCUS METHOD this method has a lot to do with the mucus membrane around the cervix of the woman. This membrane is responsible for secreting the mucus around the cervix to keep it slippery. Hence, it is noticed that just before ovulation, the mucus is produced in large amount and as it is so produced, becomes thinner to enhance sperm passage as it travels through it. It is common to notice that around a clear jelly-like discharge indicating the beginning of ovulation. If the this mucus is felt with the fingers, you notice that it stretches thinner and longer as you separate the fingers without breaking. This indicate that having intercourse with your partner is likely going to result in conception. This method can be very confusing especially for beginners and if you have had sexual intercourse in the last 24 hours. But if you are still in doubt, it is safe to consult with your family planning clinic for more accurate outcome. 

 

2. THE TEMPERATURE METHOD Since the temperature of the woman goes up after ovulation, monitoring and recording the temperatures is another way of find out when a woman is ovulating. This method is very demanding because it requires a daily recording of your temperature. These are the steps

 

: • Take the temperature of your body first thing in the morning on the first day of your period just before you eat or drink anything. Do this with the help of a special thermometer called 'fertility ' thermometer by placing the thermometer in your mouth to take the reading. 

 

• Keep a daily recording of your temperature reading. • Start a new chart on the first day of your next period. • At this time, take a moment to examine your readings: you would have noticed that 14 days before your ovulation, your temperature rose and declined at the start of your period. 

 

 • This time of rise in temperature indicates the time you ovulated! This means that you just missed the time you would have conceived. Intercourse just after ovulation can still produce a pregnancy ( all things being equal) since an egg can survive in the Fallopian tube for more than 24 hours.

 

 • Note that that the effectiveness of this method depends on the accuracy of your record. But your family planning doctor can guide you if you are having any difficulties. 

 

 3 THE CALENDAR METHOD This method is very easy for those who have very regular monthly cycle but if your monthly cycle is not usually or fairly regular, take the following steps: • For the next number of months, keep a record of dates of your monthly flow. 

 

• By now, you should be able to work out the duration of your monthly cycle. By counting the days from the first day of your period up to the next, but don't count the first day of the next! • Now, you have been able to determine the duration of your period. Work out the first day of your period, then count back 14 days and you will have the date for the start of your next ovulation. Intercourse around this time increases the chances of having a baby. It is a general phenomenon that the length of women’s cycles varies, but is also useful to note that in most women, it takes about 14 days before the next period. So, while one method may work well for some, other may find the other methods more convenient.

 

 It is therefore advisable to stick to any method that is suitable for you. If you still have trouble please consult your fertility doctor in your locality. Also note that no single method is best. So if you want to have a more accurate determination of when you will most likely conceive, I recommend you adopt a combination of all these methods.