(DIR) Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Pee On A Stick Party
(HTM) https://peeonastickparty.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
(DIR) Return to: Information and Fact Finding
*****************************************************
#Post#: 30--------------------------------------------------
Pinpointing Ovulation [How to]
By: Administrator Date: February 2, 2019, 2:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If you are trying to get pregnant, knowing when you ovulate is
key. Knowing this can significantly reduce the amount of time it
takes to conceive!
When do you ovulate?
Ovulation typically occurs between 10-16 days before the first
day of your period. Every woman is different and so are their
cycles - your cycle length and ovulation day can also differ
from month to month!
After release, the egg is only viable for 12-24 hours. If not
fertilized within this time the egg will begin to disintegrate,
and will be carried out with your next period. But that doesn't
not limit your fertile window to just this short time period.
Sperm can live for up to 5 days in the woman's body (in the
vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes), which extends your fertile
window up to 5 days prior to ovulation.
To estimate when you are likely to ovulate, find the expected
date of your next menstrual period. Count back 14 days, and then
another five days. The additional five days you counted are
considered your most fertile days. It is best to consider your
fertile window from the beginning of this five day period,
ovulation day and the day after. This gives you approximately a
7 day window to work with.
It may be difficult to accurately pinpoint ovulation unless you
are charting your fertility each month.
Methods of pinpointing ovulation
Basal body temperature charting
Using a specialized thermometer (average $10 available at most
retail stores) you record your waking temperature (either orally
or vaginally) at the same time every morning, recording them on
a chart and watching the patterns to determine ovulation and
your potential fertile period.
If temperatures are taking correctly, this method is the most
accurate at definitively detecting when ovulation has occured.
Remember, BBT charting will show you when ovulation has
occurred, possibly too late for successful timing (when charting
is your only method), so it is best to use it in conjunction
with other methods. Once you have several months recorded you
will start to see your ovulation day pattern emerge.
Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs):
OPKs work by detecting the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge in
your urine. The LH is the body's chemical that signals to the
ovary that it's time to release the egg. While it's important to
follow each specific brand's unique instructions, the general
procedure is to test urine at least once daily. The majority of
OPKs require that you do not test with first morning urine (FMU)
as LH isn't produced until later in the day.
Unlike with a Home Pregnancy Test (HPT), the theory that a line
is a positive is not true for OPKs. The key to reading an opk is
to look for a test line that is as dark (or darker) than the
control line. Some women choose to test more than once a day as
they approach ovulation as it is possible to miss the LH surge
and never receive a positive OPK, despite ovulating.
OPKs come in a variety of styles and price levels, from a dollar
or less a piece for a standard non-digital or more for a digital
variety and can be purchased online or in most retail stores.
OPKs can only "predict" possible upcoming ovulation - they can
not confirm it. It is best to use OPKs along with basal body
temperature charting to confirm ovulation.
Charting physical signs
Cervical mucus (CM)
Cervical mucus/fluid is produced by glands in the cervix (within
your cervical canal). During your cycle, the quantity and the
consistency (texture and appearance) of cervical mucus changes -
this is due to hormone fluctuations. As you approach ovulation,
estrogen increases and you begin to produce the most fertile
type of cervical fluid. You are considered most fertile when the
fluid becomes clear, slippery and stretchy (often compared to
raw egg whites).
Fertile-quality cervical mucus supports conception by providing
a healthy medium in which sperm can survive and propel
themselves. Fertile cervical mucus protects sperm from the
naturally-acidic environment of the vagina and helps sperm to
move through the cervix into the uterus. Paying close attention
to the changes will help you time intercourse correctly and you
can begin to understand your own fertility patterns.
Cervical mucus will move from dry, sticky or tacky (infertile)
through watery or eggwhite (fertile).
Cervix
Cervical position, Cervical texture and/or Cervical opening.
Cervical position will move from low (infertile) to high
(fertile). Cervical texture will change from firm (infertile) to
soft (fertile). Cervical opening will change from closed
(infertile) to open (fertile).
While CM can be checked externally (from the opening of the
vagina) cervical changes can only be checked internally (placing
one or two clean fingers into the vagina and feeling for the
changes with the cervix).
These signs can signal approaching fertility, allowing you to
take maximum advantage of the days leading up to possible
ovulation.
Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor (CBEFM):
CBEFM's are basically mini-computers that read a more complex
Ovulation predictor kit (OPK) to distinguish approaching
fertility. They differ from regular OPKs in the fact that they
don't just detect surging Luteinizing Hormone (LH), they also
detect the rising estrogen. It learns your unique cycles and
will adjust accordingly. As a result, it may take a cycle or two
to see the full advantage of the CBEFM.
The computer unit will ask for a test stick if it feels that you
could be approaching ovulation. Unlike OPKs, you use FMU (first
morning urine) for the CBEFM. You insert the stick into the
reader and it will give you one of three fertility ratings. Low
(infertile), High (possibly fertile) or peak (the most fertile).
The first cycle you use the monitor, it will jump almost
immediately to a high reading as soon as it starts asking for
test sticks. As you develop a deeper relationship with your
monitor, the number of high readings will potentially decrease.
Some women have reported only one day of high reading before a
peak. Once you have a peak reading, you will ovulate anywhere
with in the next 48 hours. After your first peak reading, you
will have a second peak day. Following that, one more high
reading and then lows for the rest of your cycle.
The monitor will warn you of the end of your cycle as it flashes
"m" when you check it in the morning. This is helpful for women
who aren't tracking their cycle every day. When/if your cycle
starts, you simply reset it to cycle day (cd) 1 and start the
process all over again.
*****************************************************