So I know you're probably thinking, how am I going to tell you how to get pregnant, when you just have to have sex. Reality is, however, there are specific times when sperm is released into the vagina and fertilization does not occur.
Why does this happen?
Well, simply, because you're are not ovulating at that time. During the ovulation cycle a mature egg from a woman's ovary is released into one of her Fallopian tubes and hangs out in the uterus until it is fertilized by a sperm. But the egg cannot wait forever, it can only survive up to 24 hours before it dissolves and exits the uterus during menstruation.
The ovulation cycle is divided in to 2 phases, the follicular phase, and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is the first part of the cycle which starts the first day of the last menstrual period and continues until the first day of ovulation. This phase varies upon each woman. The luteal phase is from the day of ovulation to the start of the following menstrual period. It usually last from 12-16 days.
Ovulation has a huge influence on your period and is too affected by primarily stress and illness. Therefore, if the ovulation cycle is thrown off, then your menstrual cycle is disrupted as well.
How do you track your ovulation cycle?
Using a daily planner or traditional calendar can help with keeping track of your monthly period. Ovulation typically occurs during the midpoint of your menstrual cycle. If you have a normal 28-day period, ovulation is likely to start 14 days after the day your last period began. If you are usually irregular, with a 34+ day period, ovulation will follow 20 days after the last period.
Another sign of upcoming ovulation, is an increase of clear, slimy discharge. You'll know when the cycle has ended when the discharge becomes cloudy and sticky.
To learn the dynamics of the process, including your hormones and cell growth, enjoy this 2 minute animation I found on YouTube.
