We may know lots of friends or family members who managed to conceive after only having intercourse once or after only trying to get pregnant for one or two months. If it is taking you longer then don’t feel despondent as the facts prove that there is only a few days each month when it is possible for the sperm to fertilise the egg.  

Once every month an egg will be released by the ovary and it will start its journey down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. The egg will only live for about 24 hours and if it isn’t fertilised by a sperm then you will have to wait until the next month when the whole process starts again. The good news is that although the egg only lives for 24 hours, it doesn’t mean that you must have intercourse on the exact day to get pregnant as sperm can actually live in the reproductive tract of a woman for around 72 hours. This means if you have intercourse 3 days before you ovulate, you still have a chance that the sperm can fertilise the egg. 

As there are only a few days each month when conception can occur, it’s a good idea to get to know your monthly menstrual cycle. 

• Get a calendar and write down the exact date of when you get your period. You may need to keep track of it for at least a couple of months so you know the length of your cycle.
• Around 14 days after the first day of your period ovulation should occur.
• After ovulation you will find that your body at rest temperature (BBT) will rise by one half or one full degree and will remain like this until the end of the cycle. Keeping track of your BBT by taking your temperature every morning before any activity will also aid you in getting to know exactly when you are ovulating
• You may also notice that at your time of ovulation your cervical mucus becomes thicker and a little ‘jelly’ like. It actually changes in consistency at this time to allow the sperm to enter the fallopian tubes.

If you have been trying to conceive for a year or longer and nothing has happened it really is worth consulting your G.P who can investigate any infertility issues.