Ovulation Is The Key To Getting Pregnant
In Order to Get Pregnant, Find Out When Ovulation Occurs
Oct 3, 2009
Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from a woman's ovary and travels through the fallopian tube. This generally happens only once per menstrual cycle and is vital for getting pregnant. According to HealthDay News, the egg has a life-span of approximately 24 hours. If pregnancy is desired, it is important to engage in sexual intercourse during this time period, or preferably, a few hours before the egg is released.
In order to get pregnant, the sperm must be present in order to fertilize the ripe egg. Since sperm can survive in optimal cervical mucous for a few days, sex can happen a couple of days in advance of ovulation. The sperm will already be present by the time the egg is released, and therefore fertilize the egg once it is released. This would be the ideal situation for conception to occur. This is why it is very important to know what day of the cycle ovulation occurs.
The Menstrual Cycle
A woman's menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of bleeding to the day before the first day of bleeding of the next period. An average menstrual cycle is about 28 days (according to Feminist Women's Health Center). This can fluctuate from woman to woman, however. There are women with cycles as short as 21 days, and there are other women with cycles as long as 35 days. This is why every woman needs to study her cycle for a few months in order to have an idea of when she ovulates.
When Does Ovulation Happen?
Since every woman's menstrual cycle is unique, it's almost impossible to state what day ovulation will take place on without studying the woman's cycle for a few months. In general, however, a woman with a regular 28-day cycle will most likely ovulate somewhere around day 14 - approximately 14 days prior to the start of her next period.
From the day of ovulation to the day before the start of a woman's period is called the "luteal phase". Generally, the luteal phase in most women is around 10-16 days. It is during this phase that the egg can be fertilized and implant into the uterus in order for conception to occur. But in most women, ovulation usually happens 10-16 days before the start of the next period.
The Benefits Of Charting To Find Out When Ovulation Occurs
Charting a woman's menstrual cycle can give great insight into a woman's fertility. The factors involved in charting are: basal body temperature and cervical mucous.
Basal Body Temperature
A woman's body temperature is generally consistent throughout her cycle, with the exception of illness, sickness, stress, exercise, or other factors. The temperature can also fluctuate slightly throughout the day.
A woman's basal body temperature will elevate slightly when she ovulates, which should last until her next period. Charting this rise in temperature from month to month will eventually display a pattern, and should point to the day in which ovulation occurs.
If the elevated temperature drops after around 14 days or so, this is a sign that a woman's period will start. If, however, the temperature remains elevated for at least 18 days, this is usually a sign that conception has occurred (fertilityplus.org).
Cervical Mucus
A more daunting practice is to examine the cervical mucus throughout the cycle. This can be done by wiping after using the bathroom, or actually inserting two fingers into the vagina to draw cervical mucus from the cervix.
Fertile cervical mucus is clear and slippery with the consistency of raw egg white. This type of cervical mucus should be present in the days leading up to ovulation. The most fertile day is the last day this type of cervical mucus will appear. During the rest of the cycle, cervical mucus is either light and sticky, or hardly present (fertilityuk.org).
What Does Charting Show?
Charting from month to month will display a pattern of what day a woman is most fertile on, which should be the day of (or at least the day before) ovulation. Charting both basal body temperature and cervical mucous together will give a woman a much clearer indication of when ovulation occurs rather than using just one or the other.
Ovulation Predictor Kits?
Measuring your body temperature and/or cervical mucous will tell a woman when ovulation has occurred, while ovulation predictor kits will predict when ovulation will occur. Using these ovulation predictor kits can be an alternative to charting if time is of the essence.
Knowing when ovulation occurs is key to getting pregnant. It's important to start with studying your menstrual cycle.
For more pregnancy-related information, please visit: www.complete-pregnancy-guide.com
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