You may have some trouble finding out when you are ovulating when you are trying to get pregnant. Ovulation is when one or more eggs from your ovary are released into the fallopian tube, for fertilisation. If not fertilised within 12 to 24 hours, the egg will shed and you will get your periods. If you want to conceive for sure, you should have intercourse within the two days leading to ovulation.
You must be wondering how to figure out your ovulating days every month. It is not difficult to notice the signs, once you know what you’re looking for. If your cycle is a normal, 28-day cycle, you would most likely ovulate between the day 11 and 21 of your cycle, day 1 being the day you get your period. So your most fertile days would be between day 8 to day 21. Here are a few signs that will help you detect your ovulation.
Signs to detect your ovulation
– Ovulation predictor tests
Similar to at-home pregnancy test kits, ovulation predictor kits help you detect your ovulation days. You have to urinate on a stick or in a cup, in which the strip is placed. Two lines will appear and if the test line appears to be darker than the control line, you are likely to ovulate. Therefore, this is the time for intercourse. These kits are very easy and hassle-free to use.
– Increase in basal body temperature
You may think that 98.6° F is normal body temperature, you should know that your body temperature varies throughout the day, and with the types of activities, you do. You would be able to track your ovulation if you track your basal body temperature. You can use apps and websites to chart your BBT, and you would have to measure the temperature every morning at the same time, before using the bathroom. You wouldn’t be able to predict ovulation exactly but you can find out the approximate day when ovulation occurred.
– Cervical mucus of fertile quality
You will notice that the secretions near the cervix will increase and have a thick, egg-white like consistency, as you approach ovulation. The stages of cervical mucus are as follows – none or almost-dry, sticky, creamy, watery, egg-white-like, and sticky again. If you track these stages, you can predict your ovulation days. You just need to keep in mind that when you notice cervical mucus that is egg-white-like, it is time to have intercourse!
– Tender breasts
You may have noticed that your breasts are tender on some days, but not all days. This happens because of the hormones that your body produces after ovulation has occurred. Not exactly a way to track ovulation, but you can get to know whether you have ovulated yet this cycle, for sure.
– Ovulation pain
Some women also feel pain in their lower abdomen, every month right when they are about to ovulate. It is a sharp pain that lasts temporarily, indicating that right now is the best time to have intercourse for pregnancy.
With the help of these signs, you can detect your ovulation and improve your chances of pregnancy!
