While the only way to get pregnant is having sex close to the time of ovulation, many times, women can miscalculate their fertile window if they’re not aware of the signs of fertility.
Tracking your cycle can be an effective way to avoid pregnancy if you’re doing so correctly, but no form of family planning or birth control is 100% effective other than abstinence.
Continue reading to learn more about the peak fertility window and ways to increase your chances of avoiding pregnancy.
Calculating Ovulation
The average woman’s menstrual cycle is 28 days long, and ovulation typically occurs on day 14.
Based on these numbers, it is advised for women who are trying to prevent pregnancy to avoid sexual intercourse or use protection from days 8-19, and of those days, the days you are most likely to get pregnant are between days 10-15.
In order for the above method to work, the length of your cycle and the timing of your ovulation must be consistent from month to month.
Signs I am Ovulating?
Maybe your cycle length is consistent, but you’re unsure exactly when you’re ovulating.
You can track your ovulation by monitoring your cervical mucus or calculating your basal body temperature.
Tracking your cervical mucus is considered one of the most accurate indicators of determining when you are ovulating.
The cervix produces cervical mucus and exits through the vagina. The amount and consistency changes throughout the month but peaks 1 to 2 days before ovulation. You would expect your cervical mucus to be clear, thin, and stretchy a few days before ovulation.
Recording your basal body temperature (BBT) throughout the month is another way to know when ovulation occurs.
For the most accurate results, take your temperature with a BBT thermometer each morning at the same time before getting out of bed. Your BBT will rise slightly after you’ve ovulated.
While this method can be accurate, it takes consistent tracking to identify your body’s pattern of ovulation to know when to avoid intercourse.
What to Do If I Think I’m Pregnant
Irregular ovulation is always possible even if you’ve had a history of consistent cycle lengths and ovulation, which means pregnancy is a possibility anytime you have sex.
If you think you could be pregnant, taking a test can help you be sure.
At-home pregnancy tests are a great place to start. If you receive a positive or negative test result and are still suspicious that you’re pregnant, it is best to confirm the results with a lab-quality test.
Get Help Today
If you think you may be pregnant, Chester County Connect Care is here to help.
We offer free lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasound scans to help you learn more about your pregnancy.
Our trusted staff can answer your questions and discuss your options.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.