The best time to get pregnant is often when the standard advice starts. Most medical professionals suggest that if you’re under 36, you should "just try and give it a year," and if you’re over 36, "just try and give it six months." While this advice might seem reasonable, I question its one-size-fits-all approach.
Let’s cut to the chase—why are we all given the same advice? Are we all the same? Does every woman aged 37 have the same health? It makes much more sense to consider individual circumstances beyond just age.
There are many factors to consider before conceiving, and addressing fertility issues before trying is just common sense. Preparing for pregnancy with a pre-pregnancy health assessment, including basic blood tests, can help ensure your body is ready for the complex process of pregnancy. Identifying potential fertility red flags early can significantly improve your chances of conceiving.
My Personal Journey to Preparing for Pregnancy
Preparing for pregnancy is more than just deciding to start trying—it's about ensuring your body is truly ready for the journey ahead. Let me give you some context.
My own fertility experience taught me this the hard way. I started trying for a baby without evaluating my body’s readiness, and unfortunately, my first pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 13 weeks. While I can’t say for sure that it could have been prevented, I firmly believe that the overwhelming work-related stress played a significant role.
This experience inspired my eBook, "Ready to Try?" which includes a chapter dedicated to assessing your stress levels before understanding the best time to get pregnant and trying to conceive. Let me gift you a copy if you haven’t read it yet.
If your menstrual cycle is regular, with both the follicular and luteal phases lasting a healthy 12-14 days, you might be in a great place to start trying for a baby without extensive medical investigations.
This is even more encouraging if you’re in tune with your fertile days, have healthy, clear, and stretchy cervical mucus, and your stress levels and blood results are checked. If this sounds like you, you’re ready to embrace the journey, so enjoy every step!
However, if you have any gynecological red flags, it’s essential to address them first. My free online course, “An Introduction to Natural Fertility,” covers these issues in detail and provides valuable guidance.
How To Spot Red Flags Fertility Issues
Let's start with the positives: Who can confidently jump straight into trying to conceive without worrying too much? In short, it’s a woman with excellent blood results, a cycle as regular as clockwork, and who can confidently say, “Yup, that’s me!” when reviewing the following description of menstrual health.
Understanding a healthy menstrual cycle is essential when figuring out potential red flag fertility problems and the best time to get pregnant. A healthy cycle is not just about regularity; it’s about being free from disruptive symptoms like premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and having optimal fertility.
In such a cycle, your body functions smoothly, with signs and symptoms being minimal and subtle, such as:
Consistent menstrual flow with moderate blood loss lasting 3 to 5 days
Stable mood throughout the cycle
Normal, consistent energy levels
Clear fertility signs throughout the cycle
Minimal physical discomfort
These combined symptoms indicate that your menstrual phases are balanced and your body is well-prepared for conception, creating the ideal environment for pregnancy.
Understanding the Phases of a Healthy Menstrual Cycle
When getting started on getting pregnant, understanding the different phases of your menstrual cycle is key to recognising how your body functions and prepares for conception.
Let’s walk through these phases.
From the start of your period to the days leading up to ovulation, your body undergoes significant changes that signal your fertility and readiness for pregnancy. By tuning into these phases, you can better align with your body’s natural rhythms and support your reproductive health.
During the menstrual phase (days 1-5), you experience no discomfort, consistent flow and moderate blood loss lasting 3 to 5 days. Your mood remains stable, and your energy levels are normal.
In the follicular phase (days 1-14), your energy levels gradually rise as menstruation ends. You'll notice a more positive mood as hormone levels increase and perhaps a heightened libido—clear indicators of optimal fertility. Your cervical mucus becomes clear and stretchy, providing a favourable environment for sperm survival, and there's little to no physical discomfort during this time.
Around mid-cycle, during your five fertile days, including ovulation, sexual desire typically peaks due to hormonal shifts, signalling peak fertility. Ovulation occurs smoothly, without noticeable pain, as a mature egg is released from the ovary. Simultaneously, your cervical mucus reaches its optimal quality, resembling egg whites, facilitating efficient sperm transport.
In the luteal phase (days 15-28), you continue to enjoy a stable mood and sustained energy levels without breast tenderness, bloating, food cravings, or other common PMS symptoms.
That said, it's important to remember when preparing for pregnancy that the menstrual cycle is a delicate process, and perfection is rare. Your cycle is a vital sign of your health, mirroring what's happening in your life. Experiencing some irregularities doesn't make you infertile, so there's no need to worry. However, they could be signs that your body is ready for pregnancy.
The key takeaway here is:
“Your body is trying to tell you something—listen to it and address its needs BEFORE you start trying for a baby. This will make the process easier for you, ensure a smoother pregnancy, and help your future baby arrive strong and healthy. This blog, along with everything I do, is here to show you how.”
Decoding Your Body’s Signals for the Best Time to Get Pregnant
In your journey towards understanding the best time to get pregnant, you must recognise that your body is your best guide. Every symptom, cycle change, or moment of discomfort is a whisper from your body, urging you to pay attention.
Instead of rushing into trying, take a moment to listen and understand these signals. By nurturing your body and addressing its needs beforehand, you’re preparing for pregnancy and laying a solid foundation for the health and well-being of your future baby. Trust in your body's wisdom—it knows the path to a healthy, fulfilling pregnancy better than any generic advice could offer.
If you can think of any woman who needs help or will benefit from reading this article, please share it now.
Thanks for being here,
Irena x
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