Pregnancy and Fertility Calendar

If you're trying to conceive, you've probably already heard about the "fertile window" - those 4-5 days around ovulation during which conception is possible.  

Whether you are just starting out on your TTC journey or you've been trying for a while now, you should not overlook the importance of knowing when you ovulate. On the one hand, if you and your partner don't have sex during that window, the sperm will have no egg to fertilize.  On the other, making love every day you're not menstruating can be exhausting and lead to vaginal dryness.  Studies show that pregnancy is most likely to occur when couples have sex every day of the fertile window - and to do that, it helps to know when you ovulate by using a fertility calendar!

While there are many different ways to track ovulation, from the pee-on-a-stick method to fancy saliva hormone monitors, one of the cheapest, easiest, reusable methods is using a fertility calculator or fertility calendar.  There are free online versions, like the one offered on Ovulation-Calculator.com, but personally, I prefer having a physical chart to look at. One with fantastic reviews is the Pregnancy and Ovulation Wheel from FairhavenHealth.com.

Unlike other paper fertility calendars, this Pregnancy and Ovulation Wheel can be adjusted for irregular cycles and it doubles as a pregnancy calendar.  It tells you your peak fertile day, when to expect implantation and missed periods, and when to start taking pregnancy tests. After becoming pregnant, you can use it to remind yourself of important dates to see the doctor, and it gives you an idea of fetal weight and stage. Plus, it's cheap and can be reused the next time you or a friend is trying to get pregnant. This is one of the best fertility calendars I've seen to date! 

Good luck, and have fun!

PS If you've used this or any other fertility calendar, feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Fertility Calculator - Cheap and Free Ways to Boost Your Fertility

If you're TTC (trying to conceive) you may have already accumulated some hefty bills on doctors appointments or home fertility tests.  However, there are some cheap (or even free!) resources out there that can help, like a fertility calculator.  If you have regular cycles, a fertility calculator can help you predict when you're ovulating, when you're most fertile, and when you and your partner should have sex to take advantage of this fertile window. Before you lay down $10,000 plus on IVF treatment cycles, try using tools like these to get to know your body better.

Once you start looking for a fertility calculator, you will quickly realize that there are a lot of options out there, and you'll need to choose one based on your needs, resources, and schedule.  Here are a few options:

1. If all you want is a free fertility calculator, I recommend trying a online ovulation calculator.  
2. If you're more comfortable having a physical calendar to reference, you might try an inexpensive paper calendar wheel.  
3. If you have an ipod or iphone (you lucky dog), there are a few fertility calculator applications on the ipod app store - like this one from Baby Med - that let you take the calculator everywhere you go. 
4. There are also a variety of fertility focused self help books out there that can teach you how to chart your cycle and turn any calendar into a fertility calendar. 

Did any of these methods work for you?  I would love to hear other people's fertility calculator recommendations, so please, let me know!

Good luck, and happy cycle charting :)