Women who are thinking of starting a family and want to get pregnant always have this basic question “How do I predict my ovulation”? The couple trying to conceive should have the knowledge of the women’s ovulation period and it helps also to determine the most fertile window period. It is important for the couple to give their best try during this ovulation and fertile window period to get pregnant immediately. For this first of all we need to understand ovulation. Knowing your ovulation also helps in the Pre-pregnancy care that you need to take and discuss with your physician. Here is the detailed understanding on what is ovulation and how to predict ovulation.
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What is Ovulation?
Ovulation is the period when one of the ovaries in a woman’s body releases the egg. Most of the time when this egg is not fertilized by the sperm it results into woman having her periods. But, if this egg is fertilized by the sperm, then, it gets implanted into the wall of the uterus and you are pregnant.
Fertile Window
If you can predict your ovulation, then, the most fertile window is five days prior the date of ovulation, through the day of ovulation. Of these five days, the last three days are the most fertile.
How to predict ovulation?
As such there is no particular accurate method that exactly predicts the date of ovulation. But, here are a few methods that we all can definitely give a try. These methods are as follows:
- Use a calendar
- Use ovulation predictor kits
- Note your ovulation symptoms
- Notice other symptoms
Use a calendar
The use of calendar is the easiest way. But, this method is helpful if your cycles are pretty regular. If the period cycles are regular then you can count fourteen days backward from the date you expect your next periods. The date that comes is the date of your ovulation. You are fertile through the day of your ovulation and five days prior to that.
But, this kind of method is pretty inaccurate because the ovulation usually does not happen exactly prior to the date of periods. And hence there are chances that you will altogether miss the fertile window period and will be totally messed up.
You can also use baby center ovulation calculator, which will help you know the exact date of your ovulation.
Use ovulation predictor kits
The ovulation predictor kits usually measure the hormone level and hormone changes in your body to predict the time when you are ovulating. There are two types of Ovulation predictor kits
- urine predictor kit
- Predictor kit using saliva
Urine predictor kit
This kit has a stick that you have to pee on. It indicates the time when the Lutenizing hormone (LH) goes up, which shows that one of your ovaries will be releasing the eggs soon.
Predictor kit using Saliva
In this kind of a kit you have to use your saliva and study it under a microscope. This helps in observing a pattern that shows the increase in the estrogen level. This predicts the beginning of ovulation.
Note your ovulation symptoms
You can note your Basal Body Temperature (BBT). Basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature in a period of 24 hours. This temperature can be taken with a special kind of thermometer. This temperature is to be taken every morning. The day when you ovulate and one or two days around that period the basal body temperature will rise by 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit. This temperature rise will remain the same until your next period.
The consistency of cervical mucus will also change around the time of ovulation.
Notice other Symptoms
You can also notice other symptoms in your body like mild cramps, change in moods etc. which indicates the change in hormones and your ovulation period. This is how to predict ovulation and decide your most fertile days.