The moment a couple decides to have a baby, tracking the ovulation schedule becomes crucial! This is because the chances of conception are present only when a woman is ovulating. Knowing the details about ovulation cycles and having a basic understanding of determining the fertility window via and ovulation tests can increase chance of conception.
Before diving into ovulation cycles, it is advisable to go through the basics again.
What is ovulation?
Ovulation occurs when a woman’s body releases one or more eggs from one of the ovaries. It mainly takes place around middle of the period cycle. Conception occurs when the sperm cell from a fertile man swims up through the vagina into the uterus up to fallopian tube of a women. It then goes and merges into the woman’s egg cell as it travels down one of the fallopian tubes.
The fertilized egg keeps moving down the fallopian tube and begins dividing into two cells, then four cells, and so on as the division continues. About a week after the fertilization, the fertilized egg has reached the uterus to become a growing cluster of about 100 cells which is termed as a blastocyst.
The cells continue to divide, with some developing into the baby, and others forming the nourishment and oxygen supply structure called the placenta. Simultaneously, hormones are released in the body that signal that a baby is growing inside the uterus. The hormones also signal the uterus to maintain its lining rather than shed it. Therefore, if a woman does not have a period in that month, it may be the first way of knowing that she is pregnant. It is the presence of these hormones that help ovulation tests do their job.
Why is it important for a woman to know her fertility window?
Pregnancy is technically only possible if one has sex in and around ovulation. The most fertile days are the 3 days that lead up to and include ovulation. Having sex in this time frame gives couples the best chance of achieving pregnancy.
By 12-24 hours after ovulation, a woman is no longer able to get pregnant since the egg will no longer be in the fallopian tube. There’s almost zero chances of getting pregnant if a couple has sex before or after the fertile window. Although contraception is still preferable, to be safe.
How to track the ovulation cycle?
Although ovulation tests may be helpful, the simplest way to determine the most fertile time is to note down the length of the menstrual cycle. The fertile window is likely to be around the days 10 to 15. This should be followed by looking out for signs of physical and hormonal changes in the body.
Determining the fertile window using the cycle dates isn’t an exact science. This is why understanding the body’s fertile signs can help. These include:
- Changes in cervical mucus: Changes in the cervical mucus can indicate the fertility window. After a woman’s period has finished, the cervical mucus gradually increases in amount and shows a change in texture.
- An ache in the belly: Research says that one-fifth of women can feel something happening in their ovaries during the period of ovulation. This can range from mild achiness to twinges of pain.
- Feeling sexy, flirty and more sociable: Improved mood, increased libido, and feeling more sociable may be some of the signs that indicate that a woman is ovulating.
Should a woman opt for ovulation tests?
When there is confusion in determining the fertility window or the ovulation cycles, there are many tests available on the market that can help determine whether one is ovulating or not. Ovulation tests help determine ovulation by detecting the presence of the luteinizing hormone in the urine. 12-36 hours before ovulation, hormone levels can increase tremendously, assisting women in knowing when the time is just right.
One of the most important and fruitful test is follicular study which means a Sevier of ultrasound which clearly indicate period of ovulation one needs to visit a doctor for this.
