Couples struggling to conceive should track ovulation. Methods include counting back two weeks from expected period, monitoring cervical mucus, tracking basal body temperature, and using ovulation test strips.
While many couples will be able to conceive simply by having regular sex, those with fertility issues or who have had trouble trying to conceive should start by tracking ovulation. There are several methods for determining the date of ovulation, some of which are more accurate than others. It may take a few months to track your menstrual cycles before a clear idea of your ovulation date starts to emerge, although if your monthly cycle is fairly regular, it’s much easier.
One of the easiest ways to find out when you ovulated is to count back two weeks from the day you expect your period to start. For this to work, you need to know how long your cycles are; some women may have a 28 day cycle, while others have longer or shorter cycles. This is more effective than counting 14 days from the start of your period, as everyone’s period is of a different length and not everyone ovulates on day 14. A woman can also predict her ovulation date by looking at the consistency of her cervical mucus, which will change to an egg-white consistency around the time of ovulation.
Another common method is the basal body temperature method. To determine the date of ovulation in this way, you need to purchase a basal thermometer and measure the temperature every day upon waking up, even before getting out of bed. Keep a chart listing your temperature, which should stay relatively the same for most of the month.
Your body temperature will then rise sharply, up to about 0.4-0.8 degrees, right after ovulation. It will stay at that higher temperature until the cycle, when it drops again. Tracking your basal body temperature for a few months will allow you to see at what point in the month you’ll be ovulating, or even if you’ll be ovulating at all. Also, if conception has occurred, the temperature will remain higher, which may be the first sign of pregnancy.
In addition to these methods, ovulation test strips and other types of fertility monitors can be found in pharmacies. These predict ovulation through a daily urine test that tracks the level of hormones in the body. For this method to work, it’s best to have a general idea of when you expect to start ovulating, because tests should be done within a few days.
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