Timing is everything when you’re trying to get pregnant. Whether your period’s arrival is more predictable than your train or you're tracking your cycle by app, you’ll be thinking about when sex will maximise your chances of conceiving. In this article, we’ll discuss when the moment is right.

How to tell you’re ovulating

There are a couple of ovulation indicators to check. You might spot some increased cervical mucus in your underwear, for example. Just before ovulation, cervical mucus becomes thin, clear, and stretchy.

Tracking your basal body temperature can also help determine when ovulation occurs. After ovulation, the body temperature rises slightly and stays elevated for several days. You can use a digital oral thermometer or buy one specifically designed to measure basal body temperature.

Make sure you get at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to ensure an accurate reading. Insomnia can affect basal body temperature, so be sure to discuss this with your doctor.

You can also try an ovulation predictor kit. These kits can detect the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine. LH surges just before ovulation occurs. Most ovulation kits claim to be at least 98 percent accurate when used correctly, so they might be worth the cost if you’re confused.

Some women get a more painful indicator—mittelschmerz, a mild cramping or twinges—on one side of their abdomen during ovulation.

In all cases, track your menstrual cycle to make sure you can predict when you are likely to be ovulating, in conjunction with the techniques we’ve just discussed.

Timing intercourse

To increase the chances of conceiving, have intercourse during the fertile window—the days leading up to and including ovulation. Sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to five days, so it's important to start having intercourse a few days before ovulation.

Determining the fertile window can be done in a few different ways.

As we mentioned, these kits predict ovulation by detecting a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine. The most fertile days are the two days following the LH surge.

Tracking basal body temperature can help predict when ovulation is likely to occur. The most fertile days are the three days leading up to and including the day of ovulation. Monitoring cervical mucus can help determine when ovulation is likely to occur. The most fertile days are the days when cervical mucus is thin, clear, and stretchy.

It is important (and perhaps frustrating) to note that lots of impeccably timed sex does not guarantee pregnancy. It can take several months to try to conceive before becoming pregnant. Additionally, fertility declines with age, and women over 35 who have been trying to conceive for six months without success should consider seeking medical advice.

How can I time intercourse to help me get pregnant?

For Unii’s Preconception Journey, we look at scheduling sex for your fertile window.