What is ovulation?

Ovulation is when a woman's ovaries release an egg, usually 14 days before the first day of her period. When a couple has sexual intercourse and does not use birth control around the time of ovulation, a man's sperm swim to meet the woman's egg. When a sperm penetrates the egg, it's called fertilization or conception. The fertilized egg (embryo) then travels to the woman's uterus (womb), where it burrows into the lining of the uterus and begins to grow.

How do I know when I ovulate?

1. If your period is regular (it comes the same number of days apart every month): AMC’s ovulation calculator can help you find out the days you’re most likely to ovulate. It uses the first date of your last menstrual period and the number of days between your periods. The ovulation dates are an estimate. The best time to have sex is two days before and the day that you ovulate. The more often you have sex during this time, the more likely you are to get pregnant. http://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/ovulation-calculator.aspx

For example:

• If you have 28 days between periods ovulation typically happens on day 14, and the most fertile days are days 12, 13, and 14.
• If you have longer cycles, say 35 days between periods, ovulation happens on day 21 and the most fertile days are days 19, 20, and 21.
• If you have shorter cycles, say 21 days between periods, ovulation happens on day 7 and the most fertile days are days 5, 6, and 7.

2. If your periods are irregular (the number of days apart varies from month to month): There are a number of fertility tracking methods that can help you determine when you're ovulating. They are listed below. It's important to talk to your doctor to learn more about the most effective way to use them.

• The temperature method: Use a basal body thermometer to take your temperature every day before you get out of bed. This is a thermometer that can measure really small changes in your temperature. You can buy one at a pharmacy. Your temperature rises about 1 degree just as you ovulate. Have sex as close as you can to this rise in temperature for your best chance of getting pregnant.
• The cervical mucus method: Pay attention to the mucus in your vagina. It gets thinner, slippery, clearer and more plentiful just before ovulation.
• Ovulation prediction kit: Ovulation prediction kits test urine for a substance called luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone increases each month during ovulation and causes the ovaries to release eggs. The kit will tell you if your LH is increasing. You can purchase ovulation prediction kits at pharmacies.

If you use the temperature or cervical mucus methods, begin tracking changes a few months before you want to conceive. If you're using an ovulation predictor kit, begin using it about 10 days after the start of your last period.

 

 

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Category: Difficulties