When are you more likely to conceive? Ovulation and fertility

We re talking about the fertile window the days in a woman's menstrual cycle when pregnancy is possible. The fertile window depends on the length of the menstrual cycle, which varies among women.

The fertile window is the day when an egg is released from the ovary (ovulation) and the five days beforehand. Having sex (intercourse) during this time gives you the best chance of getting pregnant.Myth bustingMYTH

A woman can get pregnant any time of the month.FACT

A woman can only get pregnant on a few days during her menstrual cycle, because eggs and sperm only live for a short time:

• Sperm live for around five days.
• Eggs can only be fertilised for around 24 hours (one day) after being released from the ovary.

Eggs and sperm need to come together at the right time for fertilisation to happen to create an embryo.

Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary. The egg then moves down the fallopian tube where it can be fertilised. If sperm are in the fallopian tube when the egg is released, there is a good chance that the egg will be fertilised, creating an embryo, which can grow into a baby.

Pregnancy is technically only possible if you have sex during the five days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation. But the most fertile days are the three days leading up to and including ovulation. Having sex during this time gives you the best chance of getting pregnant

By 12-24 hours after ovulation, a woman won't be able to get pregnant during that menstrual cycle because the egg is no longer in the fallopian tube.

There's almost no chance of getting pregnant if you have sex before or after the fertile window (but if you re not trying to get pregnant, don't rely on this contraception is your best option!).How to know when you re ovulating

Knowing when you ovulate can help you plan for sex at the right time and improve your chances of getting pregnant. You can keep a track of your menstrual cycles on a chart, in a diary or on a free period-tracker app on your smartphone.

But if you are not able to conceive even after trying for a long time, book yourself an appointment at your nearby Motherhood Hospital. We have an eminent team of gynaecologists, fertility experts and counsellors who will guide your journey towards a comfortable and safe motherhood.