There are certain facts about getting pregnant that affect whether or not you will conceive. Sometimes even healthy couples who have a healthy sex life and no apparent problems still fail to conceive. While this can be very disappointing the typical advice is to just keep trying. You can become aware of certain facts that can increase your chances of getting pregnant.
The Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation
A woman needs to keep track of her menstrual cycle from month to month. Generally a woman’s menstrual cycle is not less than 21 days nor more than about 36 days, with an average being about 28 days. During this cycle there is just a short window of time that a woman can conceive. This time is called Ovulation and it is when the ovum (or egg) is released from the ovary. The ovum then travels down the fallopian tube where it awaits fusion with the sperm.
This is what is known as fertilization and this is when conception takes place. If there is no sperm and therefore no fertilization the ovum will then disintegrate and the uterus will shed off the uterine lining which results in menstruation. If the ovum and the sperm unite, a pregnancy occurs and the menstrual cycle stops for the 9 months of the pregnancy. This cycle repeats itself month after month throughout a woman’s life until menopause.
Fertilization takes place when the sperm meets the ovum in the fallopian tube. Because the ovum is only in the fallopian tube for about two to three days, the chances of fertilization are rather low because there is only a window of about two or three days when pregnancy can occur. The ovum will only live for about two or three days but the sperm can actually live for about 4 to 5 days or so.
The Human Reproductive Cycle
Studies on the human reproductive cycle claim that the chances of conception during any one cycle is only about 3% to 5%. However, this is somewhat misleading as there are women who can get pregnant after having only had intercourse one time. The truth is that it all comes down to timing. If the sperm is available to fertilize the ovum during those crucial few days, pregnancy will occur.
Ovulation typically takes place midway throughout the menstrual cycle. On a 28 day cycle that would mean that ovulation occurs on the 14th day. The peak of fertility is right before ovulation, because as soon as the ovum leaves the fallopian tubes it is too late. Keeping track on your cycles is very important and it is also important to learn to notice the other signs that your body is ovulating and track them also.
Signs that your body is in the process of ovulation include such things as dull pain in the lower abdomen or sides (however, this may not always happen), an increase in your body’s basal temperature of about 0.4 to 1.0 degree, possible breast tenderness and a change in your cervical mucus. The cervical mucus or discharge becomes heavier and stickier and much more noticeable. Being aware of these signs can significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Fertilization And Pregnancy
During ejaculation, millions of sperm are excreted. However, this does not necessarily increase the chance of conception (unless there is a diagnosis of low sperm count) because there are so many barriers to reaching the fallopian tube.
Only a small number of sperms actually make it all the way to the fallopian tubes, following a theory of “survival of the fittest”. The sperm can live for 4 to 5 days in a woman’s body but in order to fertilize the ovum it must find it in the fallopian tubes and then it must penetrate through several layers to actually fuse with it.
Even when you are at the peak of fertility, because the sperm has to cross so many barriers the chance of actually conceiving is not that high. The chances of getting pregnant do depend upon the age and health of the woman with typical fertility rates decreasing significantly after the age of 35.
Tips On Getting Pregnant
There is no set criteria on the chances of getting pregnant. Some people try and try and don’t succeed while others get pregnant immediately. It does seem to be a matter of chance, however, knowledge of your menstrual cycles and ovulation can help. However, it is important to remember to enjoy the process and enjoy your partner.
Relax and don’t make the act of sexual intercourse into a race to have a baby. It is much easier to conceive if you take the stress out of it and enjoy yourself. People get pregnant and new babies are born every single day. It is a natural and joyful part of life it is not a work project, remember that.