Fertility and Know your cycle

Understanding your menstrual cycle helps you to better know when the most probable fertile times are for you. This information can then assist you in planning or avoiding a pregnancy. HOWEVER, PLEASE REFER TO YOUR GP OR FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC for assistance in learning about your particular cycle.

IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT THE METHOD OF "SAFE TIME" OF THE MONTH, CALCULATED ON DATES ALONE, BE USED FOR CONTRACEPTION (from "Fertility" Family Planning Association).

Whilst everyone differs, most women have a 28 day cycle, with ovulation occurring between day 12 and day 16 before a period. So, approximately 5 days before ovulation and 3 days after ovulation is considered your most fertile time, and therefore, when you are most likely to conceive.

To help you understand your particular cycle, take note of the following:

- when the first day of your period occurs;
- when you ovulate (that is, when you notice mucous present):
- when the first day of your next period is.

Remember that many women will differ and have longer (that is, longer that 28 days) or shorter (less that 28 days) cycles.

This time line explains the fertile pattern for a 28 day cycle:

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
       ^               ^                  ^                 ^             ^                                              ^

  First day                            Ovulation                                                          First day
 of period                                                                                                   of new period

                                         Most Fertile Days

Most of the above information was taken from "Fertility" (Family Planning Association)