When do you ovulate | Right time for pregnancy

Understanding when you're ovulating and having sex regularly five to ten days before and after ovulation can improve your probability of conceiving.

Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the left or right ovary. The egg will move down to the Fallopian tube and stays there for 12 to 24 hours, where it can be fertilized.

Ovulation occurs every month when your ovaries release an egg, about halfway through your menstrual cycle. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you will ovulate on day 14 of a 28-day cycle. The average cycle is actually closer to 30 days, can last anywhere from 25 to 35 days, and can vary slightly from month to month. Ovulation can even occur long after your last menstrual cycle.

Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract as long as five days under the right conditions. Your chance of getting pregnant is higher when live sperm are present in the Fallopian tubes during ovulation.

Fertile Period / Best time to have sex to get pregnant

The best time to have sex is the day before you ovulate. The 6 days leading up to and including ovulation make up what’s called the “fertile window.” This is the period of time when sexual intercourse may lead to pregnancy. An egg is usually viable, or good for around 12-24 hours after ovulation. After that, the egg is no longer able to be fertilized or able to lead to a pregnancy.

Fertile discharge

Fertile discharge is thin, clear or white, and slippery, much the same as an egg white. This type of discharge signals that ovulation is approaching. Fertile cervical fluid helps sperm move up the cervix to fertilize an egg. It also keeps the sperm healthy during the journey.

People usually notice fertile discharge a few days before ovulation. The discharge may become wetter and more slippery over several days. After ovulation, the amount of discharge usually decreases.

Signs of Ovulation

One of the best sign that you are ovulating is checking your cervical mucus. Your body will produce clear, stretchy and egg white kind cervical mucus right before your ovulation. After ovulation, your discharge may decrease in volume and appear thicker or cloudier.

You might notice other symptoms like:

Increased basal body temperature
Higher sex drive
Light spotting
Breast tenderness and
Cramps

Not everyone experiences symptoms with ovulation, so these signs are considered secondary in tracking your fertility.

Tracking Cervical Mucus for finding the fertile days

Cervical mucus is fluid that the cervix releases into the vagina. It has several functions, including keeping the vagina lubricated and preventing infection. Throughout the menstrual cycle, hormonal shifts influence the amount, texture, and appearance of cervical mucus.

There may be enough mucus for a person to notice it in their underwear. Although the cervix always produces some mucus, it makes more right before and after ovulation. So, if a person notices an increase in vaginal discharge, they may be seeing fertile cervical mucus.

During your period, the blood flow covers your mucus, so you won’t notice any discharge.

Right after your period, you usually have 3-4 days without mucus and discharge. These are called 'dry days' and they may be safe days if your cycle is long.

Before ovulation is about to happen, your body makes more mucus as an egg starts to ripen. This mucus is usually yellow, white, or cloudy, and it feels sticky or tacky. You may notice it at the opening of your vagina for 3-5 days. You may get pregnant if you have sex during these days.

Right before and during ovulation, you usually have the most mucus. It’s clear and it feels slippery, kind of like raw egg whites and can be stretched between your fingers. These days are best for those are planning pregnancy.

After ovulation, you may have less mucus, and it’ll get cloudy and sticky again until it goes away and you have more dry days. This lasts for about 11–14 days. Then, your period starts and the cycle repeats.

Vaginal Infections

Infections may cause vaginal discharge to appear thick, white, and clumpy. A vaginal yeast infection, for instance, produces this consistency of discharge. A yellow or green-tinted discharge may indicate a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection (STI). If a yeast infection is present, a person may experience accompanying symptoms, such as:

    irritation
    burning
    itchiness
    skin darkening

A reddish to brown discharge from the vagina typically follows the menstrual cycle. It is often the result of the vagina cleaning out the last bit of blood after a period.