Many women think that achieving pregnancy will come easily, but this is not true for all women. However methods of fertility awareness can help women conceive naturally, in only a few months' time. Fertility awareness methods use physical signs to observe one's most fertile times of the month. In addition, non-invasive tests called Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPK) are widely available that can also help many couples get pregnant quickly.
Understand Ovulation
Most women menstruate on a 28-day cycle. Ovulation, the most fertile time of the month, occurs about two weeks after the first day of menstrual bleeding. Predicting when ovulation occurs remains the key to getting pregnant naturally and quickly, since almost all pregnancies occur when sex takes place in the several days before ovulation.
Use Fertility Awareness Methods
Several different fertility awareness methods exist, each with slight differences in which fertility signs to observe. These methods include the Billings Method, Natural Family Planning (NFP), the Ovulation Method, and the Sympto-Thermal Method. Classes in these methods prove available in most communities. Women are advised to begin tracking their menstrual cycles with these methods for several months before trying to get pregnant, to best predict their ovulation day. Over time, a clear pattern of ovulation will occur for most women, allowing them to estimate their most fertile day of the month. Some of these methods recommend that women take their temperature each morning before getting out of bed. This first morning temperature is called the Basal Body Temperature (BBT). The BBT proves pretty steady during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle, and then spikes higher on the day that ovulation occurs. Some fertility awareness methods recommend that women check their vaginal secretions daily, which can also indicate when ovulation is approaching. When a woman's discharge becomes the consistency of egg white and feels very wet and stretchy, ovulation is likely to occur within several days. These symptoms of fertility are tracked on a chart or calendar, and then observed over time to see when ovulation usually occurs, says the American Pregnancy Association.
Try Ovulation Prediction Kits
Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPK) help many women get pregnant quickly and naturally, with just a urine test. OPKs work by detecting certain hormones that surge right before the egg releases from the fallopian tubes during ovulation. It is advised that a woman start using the OPK about 3 days before ovulation is expected to occur. If a woman usually has a 28-day cycle, she will start using the OPK on day 11 of her cycle. The National Infertility Association says that many women get pregnant within several months of using the OPK. Make sure to carefully follow the directions that come with the OPK, and ask a doctor if pregnancy does not occur within six months.
Have Intercourse Frequently
Fertility awareness and other methods have helped many women understand how to observe their most fertile signs and plan intercourse appropriately for conception. However, many couples get pregnant just by having sex as often as possible each month. If a couple has sex every day or even every other day, the likelihood of conceiving is quite good. Intercourse that takes place frequently will naturally take place around the time of ovulation, potentially resulting in a pregnancy. However, even when sex takes place at the perfect time, right before ovulation, the egg does not always get fertilized by the sperm. Even if the egg is fertilized, not all fertilized eggs will implant in the uterine lining. If pregnancy does not occur within six months of trying to conceive using these methods, consult a physician for more assistance.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Understanding Ovulation
- American Pregnancy Association: Fertility Awareness: Natural Family Planning (NFP)
- Resolve: The National Infertility Association: Tracking Most Fertile Time
- Medline Plus: LH Urine Test (Home Test)
- Fertility Friend.com: The Fertile Window -- Scientific Literature Review
