When you first decide to start a family — or even begin thinking about it — the word "ovulation" suddenly pops up everywhere.
Friends mention it in passing. You overhear it at brunch. And your Google history starts looking a lot like, "Can I get pregnant any time of the month?" or "What even is a luteal phase?".
It can feel overwhelming.
Because for something as natural and intuitive as reproduction, fertility can be surprisingly complex — especially when you realise that it doesn't just "happen" for everyone straight away.
But here's the good news: understanding your cycle is one of the most powerful things you can do to feel in control of your fertility journey.
So whether you're actively trying to conceive or planning ahead for when the time feels right, getting to know your body's natural rhythm is a helpful (and empowering) first step.
It's not about obsessing — it's about being informed.
In every cycle, there are only a few days when you can actually get pregnant. This is called your "fertile window", and it includes the days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.
According to Healthdirect, this is when your chances of conceiving naturally are highest — because ovulation is the moment an egg is released from your ovary and ready to be fertilised — so yes, timing really does matter.
And since sperm can live in the body for up to five days, intercourse before ovulation can still lead to pregnancy.
That's why knowing when your fertile window falls each month can make a big difference.
In a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation tends to happen around day 14. But the key word here is "typical" — and very few of us actually fit into that neat little box.
Stress, travel, illness and even intense workouts can shift ovulation timing.
Which is why many people turn to tools that take out the guesswork.
Enter: the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test.
This easy-to-use at-home test is designed to help you identify your most fertile days and is over 99 per cent accurate in detecting the surge in luteinising hormone (LH) that precedes ovulation.
The Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation test tracks two key fertility hormones — estrogen and LH — to typically identify four or more fertile days per cycle.
Remember, in every cycle there are only a few days when conception is possible, so timing intercourse within your fertile window is key — and the Clearblue Ovulation Test helps you pinpoint that window.
It's also comes with a re-usable holder — so if you have ovulation test sticks left after detecting your LH surge, you can use them with the same test holder in your next cycle (if you're not already pregnant). Plus, you can use it with the free Clearblue Period & Cycle Tracker app to log your results, track your symptoms, and get personalised predictions for your most fertile days and upcoming period due date based on your unique cycle.
And it gives you a clear digital result, so there's no more guessing with lines!
Ovulation tests offer a high level of accuracy and can also be used alongside natural tracking methods to give you a more complete picture of your cycle — especially if you're just starting out or want to feel more connected to your body's natural signals.
Here are a few worth trying:
The average menstrual cycle is around 28 days, but "average" is different for everyone.
Day one is the first day of your period, and ovulation usually happens about 14 days before your next period starts — not 14 days after your period begins (a common misconception).
So if your cycle is 30 days long, ovulation likely occurs around day 16. If it's 26 days, it could be closer to day 12. Tracking your cycle length can help you predict when ovulation is likely to occur, allowing you to identify your fertile window and better understand what's normal for your body.
Yep, we're going there — because your discharge can actually tell you a lot.
Around ovulation, cervical mucus often becomes clearer, stretchier and more slippery — like raw egg whites.
This texture helps sperm swim more easily towards the egg, creating an ideal environment for fertilisation.
Tracking cervical mucus might sound a little… intense at first but many people find it surprisingly empowering.
Once you know what to look for, it becomes second nature — and can give you valuable clues to help time intercourse more effectively during your fertile window.
Some people notice a slight twinge of pain (called mittelschmerz) on one side of their lower abdomen when they ovulate.
Others might feel more energetic, experience breast tenderness, mood shifts or a sudden spike in libido.
You might even notice skin changes (hello, ovulation glow!) or feel more confident and outgoing — subtle signs that your body is ramping up for its most fertile time.
Irregular cycles can make ovulation harder to track — but they don't necessarily mean something is wrong.
Hormonal fluctuations, PCOS, postpartum changes, perimenopause and even travel can throw your cycle out of whack.
When that happens, using an ovulation test can be especially helpful in pinpointing fertile days you might otherwise miss.
And if your cycles keep being irregular or don't show up at all, it's a good idea to have a chat with your GP or a fertility specialist — just to check in and make sure you've got the right support.
Whether you're starting a family or just want to know your body better, tracking your cycle is a powerful skill many of us wish we'd learned sooner.
Fertility isn't just about timing — it's about feeling informed, empowered and confident in the choices you make.
Find out more about Clearblue® on their website.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
In a study of 87 women, four or more fertile days were identified in 80 per cent of cycles using actual cycle length (2012).
Feature Image: Getty.
