Why this week is the most common time to conceive

If you and your partner are trying to conceive this week – you're among many, many others who are hoping that now is the time. Working backwards from figures on birth dates released by the Office of National Statistics – this seems to be Britain's national (unofficial) baby-making week. That's because fast forward from today to the length of the average pregnancy, and you get to around about 26 September. For the last two decades, an average of 2000 babies have been born on that day – compared to 1800 on others.

And if you want a more specific date, 26 September minus 38 weeks (the average length of pregnancy) gives us 2 January. That's one way to shake off a hangover.

Between the Christmas party season and then cold winter nights, there are some common theories as to why this week might be a popular one in which to try and conceive. We'll leave the details up to you as to what they may be.

A reason often offered is that parents-to-be could be doing some extreme advance planning so that the birth of their child coincides with the start of the school year – it's definitely one way to save on nursery fees.

If you are trying to conceive, here are some useful tips to help you on your way:

• Have a pre-conception check up
• Get a sexual health check
• Stop taking contraception
• Start charting your basal body temperature

Do you know when you're ovulating?

Try our ovulation calculator

If you're planning to get pregnant, we've got advice on ways to boost your fertility, how to tell when you're ovulating (use our quick and easy ovulation calculator), identifying possible problems that may be preventing you from conceiving, fertility treatments, the cost of fertility treatment, and more. Our pages are based on the issues that recur on the Conception and Infertility Talk forums. For advice and support if you're trying to conceive, join the conversation.