Social and cultural changes have delayed motherhood in many countries. We have fewer children, and they are born later. In Spain, for example, the average age of women having their first child is 31. If you are trying to get pregnant and want to understand your cycle to increase your chances, our tips for understanding your body—and the ovulation calculator we’ve designed—will help you identify your fertile days for a greater chance of pregnancy.

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What is ovulation?

Although you probably already know, we should start by defining exactly what ovulation is. Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube, where it remains for 12 to 24 hours to be fertilized.

When does ovulation occur?

In a 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs 14 days before your next period. However, the exact timing can vary depending on the length of your cycles (which generally range between 26 and 30 days) and whether ovulation occurs. To calculate ovulation more accurately, consider the first day of your last period and the average length of your cycle.

Remember that each woman's cycle is different, and it is just as normal to have a cycle of 21 days, 28 days, or even 35 days.

What is the ovulation calculator used for?

Knowing the exact day of ovulation can increase your chances of pregnancy. At LILLYDOO, we have created an ovulation calculator that helps you more accurately identify your most fertile time by estimating the approximate day of ovulation, thereby increasing your chances of getting pregnant.

Keep in mind that ovulation calculator results are based on a general model and can only provide approximate values, as your cycle can be affected by many factors that may change it. For this reason, we do not recommend using the ovulation calculator as a contraceptive method, as it is not entirely reliable. In that case, it is best to consult your gynecologist, who can advise you on the best method for you and your partner.

What symptoms indicate ovulation?

Beyond the ovulation calculator, getting to know your body and paying attention to its signals can be very effective in pinpointing ovulation with great accuracy. As we mentioned above, each cycle is unique and not only varies from woman to woman, but can also vary from cycle to cycle in the same person. Environmental factors such as diet, stress, or physical activity can influence it.

Several symptoms can give you clues about when you are ovulating:

• Changes in cervical mucus. Throughout your cycle, cervical mucus changes in consistency and color. During infertile days, it tends to be thick, sticky, and white. However, in the days closest to ovulation, the mucus becomes clear and more elastic, similar to egg white. Observing your cervical mucus can give you many clues about which phase of your cycle you are in.

• Increase in basal body temperature. Body temperature rises slightly during and after ovulation, by approximately 0.3 °C. To accurately determine when your basal temperature increases—and therefore when ovulation occurs—we recommend taking your temperature immediately upon waking (without making any sudden movements or getting out of bed) for at least three months, always at the same time. It is important to have a good thermometer and to record your daily results in a sheet or notebook.

• Increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) in an ovulation test. The concentration of the hormone LH in urine increases as ovulation approaches. Once the peak is reached, ovulation usually occurs 12 to 24 hours later. At the pharmacy, you can find test strips to measure the concentration of this hormone.

• Physical symptoms. In some women, ovulation causes abdominal or lower back pain, breast tenderness, or increased sexual desire. Getting to know your body and its changes can be a helpful indicator of your cycle.

What increases your chances of pregnancy?

From menarche to menopause, an egg matures in your body each month. Its lifespan is limited, as it can only be fertilized within 12 to 24 hours after it is released and travels down the fallopian tube. However, your chances of getting pregnant are not limited to a single day: sperm can survive in a woman's body for up to five days, which means you are not only fertile at the time of ovulation, but also five days before and 12 hours after .

While the ovulation calculator can help you estimate when ovulation may occur, having unprotected sex on that day does not guarantee pregnancy. You should know that the probability of an egg being fertilized is 30%. If you want to increase your chances, it is best to have sex several times during your fertile window, including the day of ovulation.

Additionally, we’d like to remind you that diet, exercise, and lifestyle play an important role. Talk to your gynecologist, midwife, or nutritionist to get healthy guidelines and increase your chances of achieving a positive result.

We know that trying to conceive can be frustrating if it doesn’t happen when you want it to, but the most important thing when planning a pregnancy is to avoid stress and, as much as possible, not obsess over your fertile days. Take care, enjoy your partner, and seek personalized help if you need it! 😊