We’ve been trying for a baby for months and nothing’s happening; I dread seeing my period - why isn’t it happening? The best time for ‘baby-making’ sex is just before ovulation. The
average length of a woman’s fertility cycle is 28 days, counting Day 1
as the first day of a period and going on to the beginning of the next. If you
have a regular 28-day cycle, you can therefore predict that ovulation is likely
to occur mid-cycle, on around Day 14. Many women find, however, that their cycle
length varies a great deal, which makes calculating the mid point difficult.
Natural family planning works by observing and recording your body’s different
natural signs or fertility indicators on each day of your menstrual cycle. The
main fertility indicators are: recording your body temperature, monitoring cervical
mucus, and calculating how long your menstrual cycle lasts.
Changes in these fertility indicators can help you to identify your fertile
time. You can also use fertility monitoring devices. You can buy a number of
different fertility devices at pharmacies.
The Department of Health Maternity Services Standard recommends; the importance
of:
- pre-conceptual folic acid has a strong protective effect against neural
tube defects 1
- minimizing intake of alcohol
- not using recreational drugs
- not smoking during pregnancy and having a smoke-free environment
- pre-pregnancy rubella immunisation, and
- seeing a healthcare professional as early in pregnancy as possible
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