When Am I Ovulating?

Some women can actually feel ovulatory activity, which can range from mild achiness to twinges of pain. But, most women are not sure. The best way to determine your most fertile time though, is to pay attention to your body and learn to spot the signs that ovulation is imminent.

A woman is fertile only for a few days during each menstrual cycle and once ovulation has occurred, there is only a 24 hour period in which fertilization can take place. It is best to have the sperm "waiting" for the egg, so you will want to increase sexual intercourse around the time of ovulation.

There are several different ways you can monitor ovulation:

Basal Body Temperature, BBT

Because the 'fertility window' is a short one (the egg can survive for 24 hours and the sperm can live for up to three days), timing intercourse prior to and during your ovulatory cycle will enhance the likelihood of conceiving a baby. Taking and charting basal body temperature or BBT each morning, for a few months will help to detect a pattern and pinpoint the likely ovulatory date.

At the same time each morning, before you get out of bed or even speak, take your temperature with your basal thermometer and chart it. Staying within a half hour either side of your average time is a good idea because your temp can vary with the time (i.e., if you usually take your temperature at 6 a.m., it is OK to take your BBT between 5:30-6:30, but the closer to 6 the better). Your temperature will be lower if you take it early and higher if you take it late. The normal variation is by up to .2 degrees per hour.

You can take your temperature orally, vaginally, or rectally and you should place the digital basal thermometer the same way each day. Stay with the same method for the entire cycle.

What you are looking for is a rise in body temperature following ovulation, ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 degrees over 48 hour period. The releasing of an egg stimulates the production of the hormone progesterone, which causes the increase in temperature. This indicates ovulation has already taken place. The purpose of the temperature increase is to create a warmer, more fertile environment for the fertilized egg.

A woman is most fertile two to three days preceding the day the temperature normally rises. Most experts recommend that you have intercourse regularly, 2-3 times a week, every week when trying to get pregnant. In addition to that, increased frequency of intercourse should take place during ovulation.

Ovulation Tests and Timing Intercourse

Ovulation prediction kits, (OPK's) detect a woman's LH surge, allowing test users to accurately anticipate ovulation. The amount of this hormone, LH, in your system increases sharply right before you ovulate. LH is the chemical agent that actually causes the egg to be released into the womb. So, if you can detect this sudden, rapid surge, you know that ovulation is imminent!

You can learn if the hormonal increase has taken place by taking an ovulation test. LH enters the blood stream and will appear in your urine. and saliva A positive result on an ovulation test means that the woman will most likely become fertile over the next three days - with peak fertility at 36 hours following the LH surge. Following a positive result, love making should take place (at least) daily over the following three days to increase the chances of pregnancy.

Be Aware of Change in Cervical Mucus Discharge

Cervical mucus resembles raw egg whites in consistency as ovulation approaches.

As your cycle progresses, your cervical mucus increases in volume and changes texture, getting thinner and more watery. The changes reflect your body's rising levels of estrogen. You are considered most fertile when the mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy. Many women compare mucus at this stage to raw egg whites.

Normally the mucous is a protective barrier, but during the most fertile time of your cycle, it allows sperm to get through the cervix, up to the uterus, and then to the fallopian tubes for a rendezvous with your egg.

Watch For Changes In The Cervix

This cervix is at the peak of fertility.

The cervix alters in nature during ovulation time, making the environment more adequate for the sperm to travel to the eggs for fertilization. Once a woman approaches ovulation, her cervix will open and become softer. The position of the cervix will also be raised up higher during ovulation and cervical mucus will increase. Once ovulation has been completed and there is an increased amount of progesterone within the body, the cervix returns to its former state, which is firmer, lower, drier and the opening is not as wide as it was during ovulation.

This is the same cervix, returned to it's normal state.

How To Check The Cervix For Ovulation:

-You should begin checking your cervical position at the end of your period and check it daily, and preferably, at the same time of day.

-To check the cervix, find a position that is comfortable for you and take note of it. You want to position yourself the same way every time you check your cervix. Sitting on the toilet is a easy position to use while some women prefer to squat or place one foot up on the toilet or tub.

-Use one hand to hold back the vaginal lips, while inserting the other hand's middle finger into your vagina. Move your finger up until you hit your cervix. It should feel like a rounded cylinder shaped mass within your body. Feel for it's positioning.

-During the beginning of your cycle, and after ovulation, your cervix is in a low position. It raises to the higher position just before and during ovulation. If you are unsure at first which is high and which is low, a guideline is when high your cervix is almost unreachable with you fingertip.

You could also ask your OB/GYN or other health care provider to help you find your cervix during your yearly well woman exam, if you find you are still having difficulties checking.

One more thing...

I sincerely hope this helps you have your own little "bundle of joy."

Baby dust to you ....

ovulaon,

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