4 Steps to Fertility

When trying to fall pregnant, timing is of the utmost importance. Healthy eggs and perfect sperm are useless if they don't hook up at the right time.
Fertility experts say having intercourse every other day in the week preceding ovulation ensures that you'll have sex at least once during your fertile period. It also keeps the sperm supply fresh without depleting it too quickly.
If every other day just sounds like too much effort, you may want to try figuring out your exact time of ovulation.

1. Chart your cycle

If you have a very regular cycle, subtract two weeks from the start of your next expected period. If you have a 30 day cycle: 30 - 14 = 16th is the day on which you are most likely to ovulate. If you expect to start your period on the 25: 25 - 14 = 11th.

2. Take your tempreture

A thermometer that measures Basal Body Temperature (BBS) can be used first thing in the morning. Once ovulation has occured, BBT increases by 0.2 degrees.

3. Cervical mucus

When cervical mucus is slippery and stretchy (like raw egg white), that's when you are most fertile says T Weschler author of Taking Charge of your Fertility.

4. Use a fertility monitor

If your cycle is too irregular to use any of the above methods, use an ovulation predictor kit to help you pinpoint your fertile phase. Kits are available from pharmacies and are easy to use (most being very similar to pregnancy tests). Most ovulation predictors measure LH levels (Luteinizing hormone) in urine, which surge right before ovulation.

Once you've figured out the right timing, the rest is up to you.