What Is Conception? Explore Trying To Conceive Tips

In simple words, conception means getting pregnant which involves 2 procedures to begin with - fertilisation and implantation. Fertilisation refers to amalgamation of male and female gametes (sperm and ovum) in the uterine cavity and formation of single cell zygote. This zygote undergoes cell division to form embryo and finally gets attached to the wall of the uterus which is called as implantation. These two steps constitute to a successful conception or initiation of pregnancy.

1. Ovulation - It is very important to understand ovulation or release of ovum in female reproductive system as it incorporates 50% of fertilisation procedure. The ovum or egg is released around 12 - 14 days before the menstruation.  Ovulation days are mentioned for regular cycle of 26 days to 34 days in the following table. You can calculate for other cycle lengths by simply subtracting 12 - 14 days and counting them from 1st day of menses.

2. Irregular menses - However, the above rule doesn't apply to irregular menses. In that case, he girl has to check past 10 cycles and note the smallest and longest cycle and its ovulation days for both cycles and consider that ovulation can happen anytime in between. That means if the smallest cycle is for 26 days and longest for 32 days, then the ovulation can happen from 10th day to 18th day from 1st day of menses. Also remember incase of irregular periods or shorter cycles, the ovulation days can coincide with the menses. Besides this, one can monitor the temperature everyday with a thermometer, on the day of ovulation the basal body temperature rises by 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit as compared to other days. Other signs could include breast tenderness, bloating, slightly hazy or noticeable vaginal discharge than usual. Another excellent way to monitor ovulation is home ovulation kit which is based on measuring rise in values of luetenizing hormones i.e. LH surge.

3. The sperm - which forms the other 50% of the fertilisation process can stay in the female reproductive system for upto 5 days so its ideal to have coitus everyday or at-least every alternate day starting from 4-5 days before the anticipated ovulation. So ideal time for coitus is described in the following table for regular cycles. Incase of irregular cycles, lets consider again the same example where the shortest cycle is of 26 days and longest is 32 days (considering past 10 cycles). Then the coitus should happen at-least every alternate day or once in 3 days starting from 5th day after menses to 18th day after menses. Along with this you can also follow the home ovulation kit and other ovulation markers to be more accurate.

4. Just after the coitus, the female should be lying on her back for at-least 30 mins. It helps the sperm to travel towards egg if the hips are raised by placing a pillow under it.

Additional precautions to be take

1. Avoid lifting heavy objects or any activity that gives jerk to the hips or lower abdomen right from the time you start trying and don't wait to add these to your avoid list till you actually become pregnant. While exercise and activity is necessary, avoid strenuous workout like Zumba or aerobics and switch over to walks instead. Also understand the there are certain yoga postures recommended during pregnancy while quite a few yoga poses are to be avoided. Kindly check with your yoga instructor or doctor for which ones are ok and which aren't.

2. Smoking and drinking also needs to be avoided by both the partners at-least 4-6 months since the time the couple starts trying.

3. Start 5mg folic acid (recommended for both partners) right from the time you decided to start trying.

4. Incase natural conception does not occur within 6 months since the time you have started trying while following the tips mentioned above, its best to consult a specialist.

Wishing you all Happy Conceiving.

Author: Dr. Akanksha Kotibhaskar is a practicing Ayurvedacharya specialising in delivering four fold Ayurvedic treatment - Medicines, Dietary recommendations, lifestyle modification and Panchakarma therapy.