Understand your cycle and maximise your chances of conception

Pinpointing the two days when you are most likely to conceive can be a frustrating hit and miss business when you're trying for a baby, especially if you have irregular periods

'In our nutrition fertility clinics I often find that parents-to-be are not maximising their chances of pregnancy as they do not fully understand their monthly cycle resulting in them having sex at the wrong time.'
Yvonne Bishop-Weston, Fertility nutritionist at Foods for Life (www.optimumnutritionists.com)

Ovulation test kits detect the luteinising hormone (LH) surge that signifies the arrival of a woman's two most fertile days, when she is most likely to fall pregnant.

But, there is the chance with the smaller kits that you can get through all the testing sticks without detecting this surge-very frustrating, not to mention expensive.

Now, thanks to FIRST RESPONSE®, there is no need to guess cycle days with the launch of the new First Response Daily Ovulation Test kit of 20 tests (RRP £29.74).

This value pack means you can now track ovulation for 20 consecutive days, starting immediately the day after your period ends, so most women can test every day of their monthly cycle. The tests are over 99 per cent accurate* at detecting the rapid increase in LH, which normally occurs 24-36 hours before ovulation.

Once you know your cycle you can maximise the chances of conception with these simple tips from Yvonne:

Once released, eggs may only live for as little as 24 hours, sperm on the other hand can live for up to 5 days so it makes sense to have the sperm ready and waiting for the egg when it is released by having sex every other day from about 7 days before you are due to ovulate. As well as having sex before ovulation, also ensure the sperm are fresh enough. Don't try to build your own personal sperm bank by saving up as the quality may reduce. You do need to restrict sex to every other day or there may not be time to make a high level of sperm so you have the volume to help send them on their long journey. For more information about understanding your cycle and tips on increasing your chances of conception, visit the First Response website at www.tellsyoufirst.co.uk

First Response has 20 years experience in helping women get pregnant and has channelled this passion and knowledge into developing products and advice that respond to the needs of women.

First Response family planning products including the amazingly advanced Early Result Pregnancy Test (RRP from £8.25) that helps you find out if you are pregnant up to six days earlier than the day of your missed period, are available from Boots, Superdrug, Sainsbury's and independent chemists nationwide.

* 99 per cent accurate in detecting the LH surge in laboratory Studies.