The best time to conceive (if you only have one shot per cycle)

[britchick77]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to start trying this month and wondered if anyone has advice on the best single time to do the deed?

Everything I've read says you should aim for every 1-2 days in the fertile period but for various reasons, I only get one shot at it per cycle.

On the plus side, I've been charting my cycle for 3 months and it is (currently) like clockwork. Cycle is exactly 28 days. First positive OPK on day 17 around midday, brief ovulation pains on day 18 at 1-2pm, accompanied by egg white mucus which I notice between around 10am and 6pm - it's gone by the next day.

What do you think the best time would be? Day 16, 17 or 18? morning or evening? (or another time?)

Thank you!

BC x

I would start by taking your temperature and confirming ovulation. At a late ovulation, possibly at CD18, it would mean you have a short luteal phase of only 10 days. Ideally it needs to be at least 14.

Can I ask why you are only able to have sex once? Unfortunately it's not as simple as that and may take you much longer to conceive. For example, we have sex 5-10 times during the lead up to my fertile week and around ovulation. We have been TTC for a year.

I haven't read up on this lately, but IIRC sperm take 24 hours to actually get to the uterus, so on that basis, I would go for the evening of day 17.

When I've got pregnant it's been in months when I've had less sex, not more. For my successful pregnancy we'd only done it twice that month and when I MC'd it had been only once. Timing can be the thing.

Mouselove where have you got 14 days from? I read that less than 10 is short but 12 for example is considered normal/fine...

Yes that's true Florence, however that's why I said ideally it should be 14 days. 14 days is standard as a normal cycle is ovulation on CD14 of a 28 day cycle. The OP looks to ovulate on CD18 and have a 10 day luteal phase, which is not ideal.

Unfortunately I've had to do a LOT of reading since I ovulate late and have a short cycle. My luteal phase is 8 days at best. 😢

That's interesting. The bits off google I've found don't really go into much detail and give a window typically saying anything over 10 is alright. I think mine is a bit short but not had many cycles so not sure how short yet. I don't temp to be fair only use OPKs. Sorry you've had to learn so much about this bit

Thanks for your thoughts.
I haven't done temp tracking yet although I've ordered a thermometer so will be. I get quite clear ovulation pains though so pretty sure it's happening.
I know a short luteal phase is not ideal. My mum and sister both have short luteal phases though and both have kids so hoping it's not too huge an issue (I have plenty of those to contend with already, e.g. in my late 30's, light period, pcos symptoms) so am prepared for the long haul!
My partner is away for work in the week (2 hours away) so it's a scheduling issue - that's why we can only go once. Or potentially twice if we can go evening and following morning - or is that too close together?

With DS I got a positive ovulation test at about 3pm, had sex at about 11.30pm the same day, got a negative pregnancy test 12 days later and a faint positive 13 days later.

Definitely have sex twice if possible. That's always more sperms having a chance.

And there's always the possibility of collecting his sperm and using it later or earlier since it can live for a few days. I'm not sure about freezing either should it come to it.

Could your DH schedule some time off during your fertile week?

Potentially yes, although wouldn't be practical for more than a couple of months. Seriously you can store it?? I'll look into that.