Products to promote conception

Some couples experience problems conceiving; if this is the case it may be beneficial to consider using some of the many products on the market to increase the chances of conception. All the products increase the chance of conception by alerting couples to the fertile period of the woman’s menstrual cycle; just before ovulation, fertility reaches its peak and the chance of conception is higher. The products work by indicating when ovulation is due; the couple can then practice regular sex during this window of time and hopefully be successful in conceiving a baby.

Planning and research

Many people are unaware that it is only possible to conceive during a short window of time; consequently, they may be having trouble conceiving because they are having sexual intercourse at the wrong time of the menstrual cycle. If you want to try for a baby, use books, internet sites and DVDs to learn about fertility and calculate when you are due to ovulate.

There is a huge range of books, which explain the menstrual cycle and help you to predict when you are due to ovulate; during this short window of time, you are much more likely to conceive. There are also numerous websites which have ovulation calculators; all you need to do is enter the date of the first day of your last period and the length of your average cycle and it will tell you when you are due to ovulate next.

Ovulation kits

Ovulation kits are probably the most reliable way of predicting ovulation and therefore predicting when you are at your most fertile. Most tests work by measuring the levels of LH (luteinising hormone) in the urine; this hormone facilitates ovulation and levels surge just before ovulation. You need to know the length of your average cycle and the date of the first day of your last period to use these tests; the instructions will tell you how to work out when you should start testing and then you should do the test as the same time each day (the best time is around 2pm). When the test detects a surge in the levels of luteinising hormone, this will indicate that you are due to ovulate; during this time your chances of conception will be higher and you should try to have unprotected sexual intercourse on a regular basis.

There are many different tests on the market; market leaders include Clearblue and First Response and prices range from £3 to £25.

Some tests also measure the levels of oestrogen in the saliva; prior to ovulation, the levels of oestrogen rise and this should indicate that fertility is high.

Cycle beads

Cycle beads use a string of coloured beads to remind you of where you are in your menstrual cycle; this will help to indicate when you are due to ovulate and your chances of conceiving will be higher during this time. Cycle beads are an easy to use alternative to using a diary or relying on your memory to remember when your next period is due or when you last had your period.

Ov watch

The Ov watch is an ovulation predictor, which works by measuring the levels of sodium chloride levels in the skin; the device looks like a watch and has a clear display, which indicates when you are at your most fertile. The Ov watch claims to be able to predict ovulation before tests which measure basal body temperature and levels of LH in the urine. The Ov watch costs around £100 with a month’s supply of sensors.

Ovulation microscope

An ovulation microscope, such as the Maybe Mom ovulation microscope, works by measuring the levels of oestrogen in the saliva. Levels of oestrogen rise just before ovulation and this causes a fern-like shape to appear on the test slide; when this shape appears, fertility levels are high and the likelihood of conceiving is increased.