The journey to parenthood doesn’t always begin with a positive pregnancy test. For many families, it can take months or years of planning and preparing for pregnancy and parenthood, a journey that can be emotionally testing.

If you’re at the very beginning of this process and are looking for some advice, or you’re simply brushing up on your knowledge of fertility tracking to help to understand your body and its cycles better, we’ve put together this handy guide which we hope will answer some of your questions.

Understanding Fertility

Before delving into the intricacies of the topic, it’s essential to know more about the fundamentals of fertility itself. The menstrual cycle and ovulation are key components in conception. For informed family planning, getting know how “typical” cycles works as well as your own personal cycle is important.

The menstrual cycle, on average, lasts 28 days, though it varies from person to person. Ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovary, typically occurs midway through the cycle. Timing intercourse with ovulation is crucial for achieving pregnancy naturally, which is why many couples take an active approach to tracking their cycles.

Numerous factors can influence fertility, including age, overall health, and lifestyle choices. If you’re tracking how your body works from month to month, it can help you to pinpoint any factors that may be affecting changes in your cycle.

Why should I track my fertility?

Fertility trackers offer a myriad of benefits, providing individuals and couples with a proactive approach to family planning. Here are some key advantages:

  • Accurate ovulation prediction: Fertility trackers, whether in the form of apps, kits, or wearables, can accurately predict ovulation, identifying the most fertile days in a woman’s cycle.
  • Increased chances of conception: By pinpointing the optimal time for conception, couples can significantly increase their chances of getting pregnant. This knowledge transforms family planning into a more intentional and empowered process.
  • Better understanding of menstrual cycles: Fertility trackers provide insights into the regularity and patterns of menstrual cycles. This information is not only valuable for conception but also for overall reproductive health.

Types of Fertility Tracking

As technology continues to advance, a variety of fertility tracking methods have emerged. We no longer need to rely solely on good old paper, pens and calendars!

Menstrual Cycle Tracking Apps: In the digital age, mobile apps have become invaluable tools for tracking menstrual cycles. These apps often use algorithms to predict ovulation based on data input by the user, such as menstrual cycle length, symptoms, and more. The more you use them, the more likely they are to be accurate as they gather more data over time.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Monitoring: BBT tracking involves measuring the body’s resting temperature every morning before getting out of bed. A slight increase in temperature often indicates ovulation, helping couples time their efforts for conception more accurately.

Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These kits detect hormonal changes signalling the approach of ovulation. They are available over-the-counter and are convenient tools for identifying fertile days by detecting the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that precedes ovulation.

Wearable Fertility Trackers: Technological innovations have led to the development of wearable devices designed specifically for fertility tracking. These devices often monitor various physiological parameters, providing users with real-time data for a more comprehensive understanding of their fertility window.

Smart Cells’ Role in Family Planning

You might be wondering why we, Smart Cells, are talking about the stages pre-conception. At Smart Cells, we recognize that family planning extends beyond conception; it encompasses a commitment to the lifelong health and well-being of your family. Our core expertise lies in cord blood stem cell collection and storage, a service designed to safeguard your child’s future health.

Cord blood, rich in precious stem cells, has the potential to treat various medical conditions, offering a unique form of biological insurance for your family. We encourage families to embrace a holistic approach to your family’s health, combining the power of informed fertility tracking with the proactive measures offered by our cord blood stem cell storage services. Fertility awareness not only aids in conception but also prompts families to consider the future health and well-being of their children.

If fertility tracking and planning for the future health of your children is something you’re interested in, we hope this is a good introduction for your journey. If you’re interested in knowing more about the next steps into securing your child’s health for the future when you’re pregnant, get in touch with us now to find out about how cord blood banking might work for you.