At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 185

WO M E N ' S H E A LT H ▲

M

aking babies sounds so
easy, doesn't it? Stop
using contraception,
have sex regularly and
bingo... you'll get
pregnant. Sadly for many couples it
isn't that simple, but getting to know
your menstrual cycle - and more
specifically, when your most fertile
time of the month falls - will boost
your chances of a natural conception.
The most fertile days in your cycle
are from two days before ovulation
(when the egg is released from
the ovary), to two days after. Women
ovulate 14 days before the start of their
next period, so in theory it should be
easy to calculate your fertility window.
However, complications such as an
irregular cycle mean it's not always
so simple to do the maths.
Read our guide to discover how
to identify when you're at your most
likely to conceive.
ESTABLISH THE NATURE
OF YOUR CYCLE

The first thing you need is to identify
the length of your menstrual cycle.
Some women have a regular 28-day
cycle, others have a longer or shorter
regular cycle, while others have a
totally irregular cycle, not knowing
when their next period is due.
If you have a regular menstrual
cycle, it means that you are ovulating
at roughly the same time every month,
but whatever your cycle, it's possible
to discover when you are at your
most fertile - it's a case of working it
out with a simple piece of maths.

THE 28-DAY REGULAR CYCLE

If you have regular cycle with a period
every 28 days, month in, month out,
your fertility window is easy to
calculate. For you, it's day 14, which
happens to be right in the middle of
your cycle - 14 days from the start of
your last period and 14 days before the
start of your next one. That means
you're at your most fertile 12-16 days
after the start of your period,
two days either side.
OTHER REGULAR
MENSTRUAL CYCLES

If your periods are regular but longer,
you still ovulate 14 days before your
next expected period. That means you
if your period starts 31 days after the
start of your last period, you ovulate
on day 17 (31 minus 14), making days
15-19 the most fertile of your cycle.
Similarly, if your cycle is regular but
shorter than the 'standard' 28 days,
simply subtract 14 from the length of
your cycle to work out your ovulation
date and establish what should be
your most fertile days.
THE TOTALLY IRREGULAR
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

If you have an irregular cycle, you
don't know when your next period
will start and therefore have no
way of calculating when you will
be ovulating. That's where at-home
ovulation testing kits come in.
They work by measuring luteinising
hormone (LH), which is involved in
the control of ovulation. Levels of
LH generally increase about 24-

WHATEVER YOUR CYCLE,
IT'S POSSIBLE TO DISCOVER
WHEN YOU ARE MOST
FERTILE - DO THE MATHS
36 hours before ovulation. Such a
change can be detected in the urine
via home testing kits - available over
the counter at most chemists. You can
expect results by email within a week.

BOOSTING YOUR FERTILITY
As well as getting to know your cycle, some simple lifestyle changes can increase your chances of conceiving naturally...

STOP SMOKING
Smoking severely reduces
fertility in both men and
women, so quitting cigarettes
is one of the best things you
can do to boost your chances
of conceiving. The NHS offers
a free help-to-quit service.

EAT A SENSIBLE DIET
Restrict your intake of junk
food and make sure you get
your five portions of fruit
and vegetables every day.
Remember, one smoothie
equals two portions of your
five a day recommended
allowance. Eating oily fish

such as mackerel, sardines,
herring, tuna or salmon twice
a week can help too.

EXERCISE REGULARLY
Walk for 30 minutes every
day come rain or shine.
New evidence suggests
over-exercising in the gym,
however, can reduce women's
fertility, so go easy.

the cervix and up into the
uterus and fallopian tubes to
fertilise that one egg released
every month. Don't go to the
loo after sex as you'll cause
seminal fluid containing
millions of sperm to leak out.
Instead, lie with your legs
up against a wall for a few
minutes after sex to help the
little fellas on their journey.

HAVE PLENTY OF SEX

VISIT YOUR GP

Aim to have sex every day
during your 'fertility window',
(see above). You need as
many viable, active sperm
as possible to get through

If you have acne in your mid
20s or beyond, you may
have polycystic ovaries,
which not only causes acne
but also excess body hair,

irregular periods and can
have a detrimental affect on
fertility. If you have any of
these symptoms, ask your GP
to send you for an ultrasound
scan of your ovaries to see if
you have the condition.

REDUCE THE CAFFEINE
Research has shown that just
one cup of coffee a day could
halve your chances of
conception. Doctors think
caffeine slows the activity of
the fallopian tubes, which carry
eggs from the ovaries. Shift to
herbal tea (we know!) if you
can face it.

www.athomemagazine.co.uk FEBRUARY 2018 | 185



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of At Home with Chris Jessen 2018

At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 1
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 2
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 3
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 4
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 5
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 6
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 7
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 8
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 9
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 10
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 11
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 12
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 13
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 14
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 15
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 16
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 17
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 18
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 19
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 20
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 21
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 22
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 23
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 24
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 25
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 26
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 27
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 28
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 29
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 30
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 31
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 32
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 33
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 34
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 35
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 36
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 37
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 38
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 39
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 40
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 41
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 42
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 43
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 44
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 45
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 46
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 47
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 48
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 49
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 50
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 51
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 52
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 53
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 54
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 55
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 56
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 57
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 58
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 59
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 60
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 61
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 62
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 63
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 64
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 65
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 66
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 67
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 68
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 69
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 70
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 71
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 72
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 73
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 74
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 75
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 76
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 77
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 78
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 79
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 80
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 81
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 82
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 83
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 84
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 85
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 86
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 87
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 88
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 89
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 90
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 91
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 92
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 93
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 94
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 95
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 96
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 97
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 98
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 99
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 100
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 101
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 102
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 103
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 104
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 105
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 106
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 107
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 108
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 109
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 110
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 111
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 112
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 113
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 114
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 115
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 116
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 117
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 118
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 119
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 120
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 121
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 122
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 123
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 124
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 125
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 126
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 127
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 128
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 129
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 130
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 131
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 132
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 133
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 134
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 135
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 136
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 137
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 138
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 139
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 140
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 141
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 142
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 143
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 144
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 145
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 146
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 147
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 148
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 149
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 150
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 151
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 152
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 153
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 154
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 155
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 156
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 157
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 158
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 159
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 160
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 161
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 162
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 163
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 164
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 165
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 166
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 167
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 168
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 169
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 170
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 171
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 172
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 173
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 174
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 175
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 176
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 177
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 178
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 179
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 180
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 181
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 182
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 183
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 184
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 185
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 186
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 187
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 188
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 189
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 190
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 191
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 192
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 193
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 194
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 195
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 196
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 197
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 198
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 199
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 200
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 201
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 202
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 203
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 204
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 205
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 206
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 207
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 208
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 209
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 210
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 211
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 212
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 213
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 214
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 215
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 216
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 217
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 218
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 219
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 220
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 221
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 222
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 223
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 224
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 225
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 226
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 227
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 228
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 229
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 230
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 231
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 232
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 233
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 234
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 235
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 236
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 237
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 238
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 239
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 240
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 241
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 242
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 243
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 244
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 245
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 246
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 247
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 248
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 249
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 250
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 251
At Home with Chris Jessen 2018 - 252
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/yourbusiness2021
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithchrisjessen2018
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithsarahbeenyautumn2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithlorrainekelly2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomeparentingwithJoFrost2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/SarahBeenySpring2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AskTheDoctorWithDrJessenFebruary2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithTessDaly2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithGloriaHunnifordOctober2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithSarahBeenyAutumn2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithJoFrostJune2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithSarahBeenySpring2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithDrChristianJessen2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AthomeWithTessDaly2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/YourBusinessWithJamesCaanAutumn2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AthomeWithSarahBeeny2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AthomeWithGloriaHunniford2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeLorraineKelly2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/JoFrost15
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/SarahBennyMay2015
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/OrthopaedicSupplementMarch2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/DrChristianJessenFeb2015
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithtessdaly
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/jobsandcareers2014
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/yourbusinesswithjamescaan
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithsarahbeeny
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/parentingjofrost
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/drchristianjessen
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Athomelorrainekelly
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Athomesarahbeeny
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Cheers_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Christmas_New_year_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Exclusive_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Jo_Frost_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Carol_Vorderman_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Christian_Jessen_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sarah_Beeny_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Lorraine_Kelly_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_James_Martin_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Jo_Frost_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Dr_Chris_Steele_Sept_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sally_Gunnell_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sarah_Beeny_Aug_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Lorraine-Kelly_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Christian_Jessen_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_James_Martin_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sarah_beeny_winter_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Lorraine_Kelly_Nov_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Marco_Pierre_White_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHome/Jo_Frost_July_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Lorraine_Kelly_June_2011/Lorraine_Kelly_June_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Sarah_Beeny_May_2011
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com