Understanding Your Ovulation Cycle and Falling Pregnant

If you’re ready to start trying to conceive, understanding your ovulation cycle can be key to falling pregnant. It’s a good idea to revisit some of your high school biology and learn the ins and outs of the menstrual cycle, ovulation and ultimately conceiving. A female is born with just under half a million eggs already stored within her ovaries. During puberty, generally between the ages of ten and fourteen, a girl will start her periods. Every month, a ripened egg is released from the ovary. The egg travels along the fallopian tube to the uterus/womb. If the egg has become fertilized by a sperm within the fallopian tube, it will embed itself within the uterus lining, and thus pregnancy begins. If the egg does not become fertilized, it will be flushed out, together with the uterus lining, which is when you have your menstrual bleed. Your period marks the beginning of the next cycle. Generally, this cycle lasts around 28 days, give or take a few days. The time frame in which you can actually fall pregnant, or your fertile window, lasts only five or six days. This is the time leading up to and including ovulation, where the egg is released and travels along the fallopian tube. The lifespan of the egg after ovulation is only 12–24 hours, so it has to be fertilized within this time frame, and the lifespan of the sperm is five days. It is these lifecycles that determine the fertile window period of six days. The day of ovulation, and the two days preceding it, offer the best chances of falling pregnant. But how do you know when you are going to ovulate, and therefore plan to fall pregnant? Ovulation generally occurs between 12 and 16 days before your next period starts. You must really get to know your body and learn your cycle, as you will need to have intercourse within with fertile window, preferably at the time of ovulation. Begin by working out what the length of your cycle is—day one of the cycle begins on the first day of your menstrual bleed, and the last day is the day before your next period starts. If you average a cycle of 28 days, you can guesstimate that you will ovulate around day 14 of the cycle. Utilize our ovulation calculator to keep track of your cycle and work out when your fertile window is likely to be. Obviously every woman is different, and also a woman’s cycle may vary sometimes. This can make it quite difficult to determine when the fertile window is each month. Again, learning and reading the signs from your body can help. Below is a list of signs to look out for each month:

• Cervical mucus: a change in cervical mucus can indicate when you are fertile. When it becomes clear and stretchy yet slippery, similar to raw egg white, it’s a sign that you are close to ovulation.
• Some women can experience ovulatory pain, indicating that the process is occurring. It can be one-sided backache or a tender abdomen.
• After you have ovulated, your temperature rises slightly. You can track your basal body temperature daily over a few months to determine if there is a pattern. You can then pinpoint when you are going to ovulate and plan for intercourse in the days preceding this.

Tracking these changes and monitoring your body throughout your cycle can give you a better idea when your optimum time is to conceive. When in doubt, aim to have intercourse every two to three days.

Pregnancy tips to help you conceive

The time to start working toward a healthy pregnancy is before you conceive. If you are trying to get pregnant quick, our pregnancy tips are good start to get your body ready for conception process.

Information about Conceive Plus

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I work out when I'm ovulating?

Ovulation typically occurs 12 to 16 days before your next period starts, so tracking your cycle length is essential. You can use ovulation predictor kits (available from Boots, Superdrug, and supermarkets), monitor changes in cervical mucus, or track your basal body temperature. Many women also notice mild cramping or breast tenderness around ovulation time.

What is the best time to have sex when trying to conceive?

Your fertile window lasts approximately five to six days, with the highest chance of conception occurring on the day of ovulation and the two days before it. The NHS recommends having regular sex every two to three days throughout your cycle rather than timing it perfectly, as this can reduce stress whilst still maximising your chances.

How long should we try before seeing a GP about fertility?

According to NICE guidelines, you should visit your GP if you hav

en't conceived after one year of regular, unprotected sex—or after six months if you're over 36. Your GP can arrange initial tests and refer you to a fertility specialist if needed. It's worth knowing that around 1 in 7 UK couples experience fertility issues, so seeking help is very common.

Can I get fertility treatment on the NHS?

Fertility treatment availability on the NHS varies significantly depending on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), with eligibility criteria differing across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. NICE recommends that women under 40 should be offered three full cycles of IVF, though many areas offer fewer due to funding constraints. Speak to your GP about what's available in your area and any waiting times involved.

What happens if my cycle is irregular?

Irregular cycles can make predicting ovulation more challenging, but they don't necessarily mean you can't conceive. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly cause irregular periods and may affect ovulation. If your cycles are consistently irregular, it's worth speaking to your GP, who may arrange blood tests to check your hormone levels and ovulation.

Does age affect my chances of getting pregnant?

Yes, fertility naturally declines with age, particularly after 35, as both egg quality and quantity decrease over time. According to the HFEA, women under 35 have approximately a 32% chance of IVF success per cycle, which drops to around 4% for women over 44. If you're concerned about your fertility and age, your GP can discuss your options, including fertility tests and potential treatment pathways.

Are ovulation predictor kits accurate?

Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are generally around 99% accurate at detecting the luteinising hormone (LH) surge that occurs 24 to 36 hours before ovulation. They're a helpful tool when trying to conceive, though they work best when you have a reasonably regular cycle. For best results, test at the same time each day during your expected fertile window.