Timing Sexual Intercourse for Conception

Couples who intend to conceive a baby would do well to time their lovemaking. There is an optimum time for enjoying sexual intercourse that increases the chances of conception. However, to be able to do this it is important to know when your spouse is ovulating.

Ovulation in your spouse is determined by her menstrual cycle. The popular belief that ovulation occurs mid-cycle is not really true.

• Ovulation generally occurs about 14 days before she get her period.

• Women who have a 28-day cycle will thus ovulate mid-cycle.

• A woman with a 35-day menstrual cycle will, ovulate closer to day 21, and not mid-cycle.

These are some of the signs that your spouse is ovulating:

• Tenderness in her breasts

• An uncomfortable feeling in the abdomen

• Increase in discharge from the vagina

• Increase in body temperature of up to 1 degree Fahrenheit

If you are planning a baby, the ideal time to have sexual intercourse is one or two days before your spouse ovulates and again on the actual day of her ovulation. Having sexual intercourse on other days is fine. However, you need to ensure that you don't inadvertently leave out the days around her ovulation. This is because:

• The period while sperms remain alive is about two to three days.

• In contrast, the egg remains for only about half to one day.

• Having sex one or two days before and on the day of the ovulation ensures that there is enough healthy sperm in the fallopian tube at ovulation.

Tips for planning a baby

Conception depends on the successful completion of three processes: ovulation, fertilization of the egg by the sperm, and division of the fertilized egg after which it attaches itself to the uterus.

These are things couples can do to ensure a successful conception:

• Have a general health checkup : Couples who are trying to conceive should undergo a routine medical examination to ascertain if they are in good physical health.

• Maintain an exercise routine : Regular exercise helps couples planning a baby, to stay healthy. It increases their ability to relax, promote sound sleep, and fight physical and mental stress. This will increase their chances of conceiving a baby.

• Eat well : Having a balanced diet, that will provide them with all the essential nutrients they require, is important for couples to conceive a baby.

• Avoid smoking and alcohol: Alcohol or smoking can interfere with healthy sperm production and hamper successful conception.

• Tracking the woman’s menstrual cycle : This will help couples to time sexual intercourse to coincide with ovulation. Having sex during this time is important for successful conception to occur.

Many future dads are a bit confused about their role in their spouses’ pregnancy. If you are one of them, here are some pregnancy planning tips to tell you what you can do.