The Importance of Tracking your Monthly Cycle

Are you trying to conceive a baby or having trouble conceiving Baby Number Two? Tracking your monthly cycle is one of the best ways to boost your chances of conception. 

Don’t Leave Things to Chance

Did you know that women who keep regular track of their menstrual cycle have improved chances of conceiving? Leading Australian gynaecologist and fertility specialist, Dr Raewyn Teirney, explains the importance of tracking your monthly cycle.

“Woman who track their menstrual cycle are more aware of when they are ovulating and therefore may well improve their chances of falling pregnant naturally.”

There are many ways they can do this.

Check Your Temperature

“When women who have a regular menstrual cycle begin to ovulate, their basal body temperature will drop slightly,” says Dr. Teirney. “It usually drops by about 0.2 degrees Celsius followed by a temperature rise the next day. This is the time we suggest they begin to think about baby making!”

Test Your Hormones

“Ovulation is triggered by the production and release of a hormone called the Luteinising Hormone (LH),” explains Dr. Teirney. “Women can easily test for this at home with a simple urine stick test. When you see the LH levels spike, you know it’s prime time for baby making.”

Check Your Cervical Secretions

Cervical secretions change in texture and consistency throughout our monthly cycle and can be a great indicator of when we are most fertile.

“You can check quite easily when you go to the bathroom,” advises Dr. Teirney. “Mucous secretions from the cervix are typically minimal when oestrogen levels are low, indicating it’s not your most fertile time of month. However, as oestrogen levels increase, these secretions change to become creamy and slightly wet, which suggests you’re becoming more fertile. Then when you are at peak fertility, the secretions will be clear, thin, slippery and stretchy.

Check for more Subtle Signs, Too!

Another indicator that you’re at your most fertile time of month is one-sided lower pelvic pain. “This can occur on either side of the pelvis and it is a sign of ovulation,” explains Dr. Teirney. “Women can also expect to enjoy an enhanced sex drive when ovulating. Some women experience an intensified sense of taste and smell, and many will notice tender, enlarged breasts, fluid retention, acne and bloating.”

Get Some Support

Sometimes fertility tracking can be slightly overwhelming, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support.

The conceiveplease Fertility Tracking Kit takes the guesswork out of tracking your cycle, providing you with one month’s supply of pre-conception vitamins for both partners in the relationship, a high-speed digital thermometer to track body temperature and five Luteinising Hormone testing sticks to check hormones.

It also contains a fertility calendar to help track your cycle, two pregnancy testing sticks, and a great guidebook written by medical specialists on boosting your chances of conception – Getting Pregnant Naturally. Finally, there’s an instructional DVD on how to use the kit, and a meditation CD to help keep you clear headed and calm through what can sometimes be a stressful process.