Trying to conceive is often thought of as easy to do. Teenagers are repeatedly warned of the dangers of unprotected sex, both for the spread of disease as well as unplanned pregnancy. After being told over and over that one slip up can cause pregnancy, it's no wonder that many people continue to keep it in their mind that pregnancy is easy to achieve.

Time Frame

In reality, women are generally at their most fertile before the age of 30. After that, fertility gradually decreases, and by age 40, the chances of conceiving naturally in any given month fall to less than 10 percent, down from around 25 percent for a woman in her early 20's. Women over forty who are trying to conceive may want to see a fertility specialist for consultation and to see if any treatments are necessary.

Monthly Timing

When trying to get pregnant, a woman needs to get to know her body. Many women think that they always ovulate on day 14 of their menstrual cycle, but this is not necessarily true. Women generally ovulate midway through their cycle. For a 24 day cycle, this can mean ovulation is on day 12, or day 18 for a 36 day cycle. Tracking the menstrual cycle for a few months can be helpful, and timing intercourse correctly is crucial. For example, let's say that over a three month span, a woman has her period the first month on day 26, the next month on day 28, and the following month on day 30. For the highest chance of conception, she should have intercourse every other day from days 12 to about 16. It's not necessary to have intercourse every day, as sperm can live for several days inside the body.

Signs of Ovulation

There are also physical signs that ovulation is happening or will occur soon. Some women experience twinges or slight cramps in their lower abdomen at the time of ovulation. Vaginal discharge, or cervical mucus, can also show changes at this time. Many women will notice an increase in sticky mucus as the time of ovulation approaches. The mucus can be white or yellowish in color. During ovulation itself, mucus will be more slippery and clearer in color. Pharmacies carry over the counter fertility monitors and strips to urinate on that will also indicate if ovulation is approaching.

Theories/Speculation

For couples who want to give natural gender selection a try, there are a few options. None of them are foolproof, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it may be possible to slightly increase the odds for having either a boy or a girl using the following methods. Sperm that are destined to be boys swim faster, but live for a shorter amount of time than sperm that will result in girls. Having intercourse on the day of ovulation may increase the chance for conceiving a boy, as those sperm are faster to reach the egg. Timing intercourse for a day or two before ovulation may increase the chance for a girl, as sperm that will result in a girl live longer. A woman's diet when she is trying to conceive may also affect the gender of a child she conceives. A diet high in salt and rich in meat and pasta may be more likely to produce a boy, whereas a diet high in dairy may be more likely to result in a girl baby.

Significance

When trying to conceive, timing is everything. Keeping track of menstrual cycles and timing intercourse for every other day mid-cycle, as well as being aware of the physical signs that the body is ready, can make all the difference.

Source:

Signs of ovulation

Conception myths

"The Miraculous World of Your Unborn Baby," Nikki Bradford, last copyright 2006