Ovulation Calculator: Know what is the best time to get pregnant

With the couples now focussing more on higher education, career, and financial security, family planning has taken a back seat. Couples often tend to delay childbearing to their late 30s and early 40s. This has increased infertility issues. Approximately 48.5 million couples worldwide experience infertility. The infertility issues are greatly due to the incorrect timing of intercourse. The identification of the fertile window in females can help couples plan their pregnancy and overcome the infertility issues that may arise at a later stage. In this article, get complete information about the fertility window, ovulation calculator (menstrual/ period cycle calculator), and the ways in which it can help you.

What is the best time to get pregnant?

Pregnancy occurs in females only during the fertile window. Fertile window refers to the days during the female menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible. The day on which the egg is released from the ovary and the five days prior to it is referred to as the ‘fertile window’. The fertile window is largely dependent on the length of the menstrual cycle and your last period date. If you wish to get pregnant, having intercourse during the fertile window increases your chances of getting pregnant. 

What is an ovulation calculator?

Technically speaking, pregnancy is possible only when you have intercourse on the day of ovulation or 5 days before it. Since the fertile window is unique for all females, therefore, each female should know the most probable days for them to become pregnant. Well, if you are thinking about how you can calculate your fertile window, then we have the solution for you. Ovulation calculator is the tool that can help you predict your fertile window. Ovulation calculators in the form of apps and websites have gained a lot of importance in the past. Currently, there are more than 100 fertility awareness-based mobile apps that have approximately 200 million downloads. It predicts the day of your ovulation depending upon the date on which you got your last period and the number of days for which your menstrual cycle exists. Ovulation calculators are 100% accurate, safe, track irregular periods and predict fertile windows.

How does the ovulation calculator work?

The menstrual cycles vary from female to female and even from month to month in a female. Therefore, analysing the fertile window accurately is a tedious task. The ovulation calculator draws an estimate regarding the day when you will ovulate depending upon the date of your last menstrual cycle and the average number of days that are present between your periods. The length of a typical menstrual cycle is 28 days. Although, in the majority of females the menstrual cycle ranges from 25 to 30 days. 

Firstly, the ovulation calculator predicts the date of your next expected menstruation and counts 14 days prior to the start date. The 14 days prior to menstruation date is known as the luteal phase. This is followed by the calculation of the fertile window, which is of approximately 6 days, including the day of ovulation and 5 days before that day. 

What are the signs of ovulation?

There are various signs of ovulation that you can observe by yourself. These signs include:

• Increase in the basal body temperature by around 1 degree. You can measure it using a thermometer.
• The appearance of vaginal discharge or cervical mucus, which is a clear, thinner fluid.
• Increase in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH). The levels can be measured using a home ovulation kit.
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Cramps or slight pain
• Light spotting

Takeaway: 

With the increasing delay in pregnancy, monitoring the best time for getting pregnant is very important when you finally decide to conceive. This will lower your chances of failed attempts and infertility. Earlier, pregnancy was a matter of chance but with the advancements in scientific knowledge and technology, you can easily predict the time at which you are most fertile. Now, that you know about the ovulation calculator and its use, plan your family according to your own wish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get pregnant after ovulation also?

No, after 12-24 hours of ovulation, you will not be able to get pregnant during that menstrual cycle because the egg is no longer present in the fallopian tube, the site where the fertilisation of the egg and the sperm occurs.

2. After how many days of menstruation, does ovulation occur?

In a typical menstrual cycle of 28 days, ovulation generally occurs 14 days before the date of the next menstrual cycle.

3. Is it possible to get pregnant 5 days before or after menstruation?

Although the chances are very less, you can still get pregnant 5 days before or after menstruation if you have intercourse without using contraception.

4. How many hours does ovulation last?

The process of ovulation lasts for about 24 hours after which it dies and gets removed from your body in the form of periods. If the egg gets fertilised within 12 to 24 hours of its release, then congratulations, you are pregnant.

5. What are certain tips that can help me get pregnant?

There is nothing that can ensure pregnancy, but following certain things can surely increase your chances of getting pregnant. These tips are:

• Start taking prenatal vitamins
• Know your fertility window using an ovulation calculator
• Eat a balanced diet
• Avoid any kind of stress
• Get good sleep
• Quit bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking