Winter might be the best season to start pregnancy journey

Many young couples dream of starting a family, but often feel uncertain about when their bodies are most ready or how to give their baby the healthiest beginning. Fertility can feel unpredictable, shaped by lifestyle, age, stress, and environmental factors. Winter quietly offers part of the solution.

Scientific evidence shows that cooler weather and seasonal changes may support conception in ways most people never consider. As temperatures drop, our biology, behaviour, and even mood subtly shift into a rhythm that makes starting a family a little more likely. And while nature sets the stage, modern genetic screening advancements such as carrier screening help couples take the next step with confidence and clarity.  

Seasonal Rhythms Hidden in Human Fertility

Humans don't follow strict breeding seasons, yet our fertility still responds to seasonal changes. A large cohort study of more than 14,000 women across North America and Denmark found that the probability of conceiving per cycle rises in late fall and early winter. The chance of conceiving in each cycle was 16% higher compared with early spring.

The research also showed that women were around 48% more likely to begin trying to conceive in September than in March. This blend of biology and behaviour suggests that as temperatures cool and routines slow down, the body enters a more balanced rhythm that naturally supports conception.

Winter in Favour of Male Fertility

While women carry the pregnancy, conception depends equally on both the father and the mother. Male reproductive health contributes to approximately half of all infertility cases. Sperm production is highly sensitive to heat, and warm climates increase stress on the endocrine system. This stress lowers sperm concentration, motility, and overall quality.

An analysis of more than 100,000 semen samples found that sperm quality decreases in summer and improves during cooler periods. Another study examining over 6,000 samples revealed clear seasonal differences, with winter months producing higher sperm concentrations and total sperm count. This makes winter a supportive window for conception, offering conditions that help sperm reach their optimal quality.

Egg and sperm quality shape the earliest stages of embryo development. When both are at their best, the foundation for a healthy pregnancy becomes stronger. Winter naturally encourages habits that support this early stage of development. People tend to sleep more consistently. The air is cleaner in many regions. Daily life slows down. Warm, nourishing meals become more common. These simple lifestyle shifts help the body find balance, a state that benefits both partners as they prepare for pregnancy.

Genetic Screening for a Healthier Start

Women who conceive during winter often enter the more comfortable stages of pregnancy just as spring begins. Increasing daylight, better mood, and rising energy can make the early trimesters feel smoother and more manageable.

Many serious inherited conditions show no symptoms in carriers. This makes preconception screening a powerful tool for prevention rather than a reactive measure. BGI Genomics' VISTA™ Carrier Screening utilizes high-throughput sequencing to analyse genes linked to hundreds of recessive and X-linked disorders. These include conditions related to metabolic function, blood disorders, neuromuscular development, and other early-onset diseases that can significantly affect a child's life.

VISTA™ Carrier Screening provides comprehensive gene coverage for common and rare inherited diseases. It offers multiple panel options with up to 1200+ genetic disorders, including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Wilson disease, Cystic fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Glycogen Storage Disease.

Through high-throughput sequencing technology, it offers detailed genetic profiling that supports informed decision-making. By taking this step early, couples gain time to explore their options—whether natural conception with awareness, IVF with genetic testing, or other personalised family-planning approaches.

Winter may not resemble the traditional season of new beginnings, yet science suggests it offers a quiet advantage. Cooler temperatures support healthier sperm development. Daily routines become calmer and more restorative. Couples feel more connected and grounded. And with comprehensive carrier screening, they gain the clarity needed to start a family with confidence and peace of mind. Winter becomes more than a season. It becomes a meaningful starting point for families preparing to welcome a new life.

About VISTA™ Carrier Screening

BGI Genomics'  VISTA™ Carrier Screening uses high-throughput technology to identify individuals or couples at risk of passing on a genetic condition to their child, offering multiple panel options (Mini, Targeted, & 1200+). The latest 1200+ panel product can detect more than 1200 genetic disorders.

About BGI Genomics

BGI Genomics, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, is the world's leading integrated solutions provider of precision medicine. Our services cover more than 100 countries and regions, involving more than 2,300 medical institutions. In July 2017, as a subsidiary of BGI Group, BGI Genomics (300676.SZ) was officially listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.