If you and your partner are trying to have a baby, then you need to know when you are ovulating. That’s exactly what you’ll get in this article.
Understanding the process of ovulation will help you better understand the steps involved in planning a pregnancy. Ovulation is the process in the reproductive system, when the egg is discharged from the ovaries by way of the fallopian tubes. It happens some time midway through the menstrual cycle and lasts for 28 – 35 days. This period can vary from woman to woman. During ovulation, a woman is at the peak of her fertility. This is the best time for a couple to conceive because the egg is ripe and ready to attract the sperm.
The duration of ovulation is very short. A sperm can survive for 3 days, but 12 – 24 hours is the maximum time that eggs are ready to get attached. After that, the ovaries are discharged out of the body and the ovulation cycle continues. How to keep a track of your ovulation cycle? Maintain a chart/calendar of your menstruation cycle and read the signs given below. You’ll get an estimate of when you’ll be ovulating.
Signs of Ovulation
It is estimated that at only 20% couples are able to conceive when they want to. One reason for this could be infertility. Another, and probably a more common reason could be that they do not know when exactly they should try to conceive. So, for all the women out there, here are some signs to know when it’s the best time to try.
Cervical Mucus
This may seem a little icky but it’s a good way to know your ovulation cycle. Immediately after your period, you will not have any discharge of cervical mucus (whitish/yellowish discharge) from your vagina. As you proceed further into your menstrual cycle, the discharge will appear and will be white and thick. As more days pass, the consistency of this mucus will become thinner and will become transparent. The time when the discharge reaches this thin consistency is a sign that you are ovulating. This will last only a couple of days and then will go back to the thick discharge.
Basal Body Temperature
There are special thermometers available in the market to measure your basal body temperature (BBT). What is BBT? BBT is your body temperature taken immediately when you wake up. Immediately meaning, before you sit, walk, talk or move. A menstrual cycle involves a lot of hormonal changes. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone bring about these changes. As a result, your BBT too, wavers. So, before ovulation, your BBT remains lower compared to the period after ovulation. Maintain a chart with your BBT readings to help you find out when you’re ovulating.
Cervix
Another way to know when you ovulate, is to observe your cervix in your menstrual cycle. The cervix can be called the ‘neck of the uterus’. It is that part which joins the uterus to the upper portion of the vagina. During ovulation, the cervix becomes soft and opens up a little. If you are not ovulating, it is a little hard and rough. The color changes too. From a normal pink to a pale or bluish color when you’re ovulating.
Changes in Body
You body goes through many changes as a result of so many hormonal changes. If you want to know when you are ovulating, look out for these changes in your body given below.
- Tender Breasts: During ovulation, the breasts tend to become softer and tender. It could also cause your breasts and nipples to become sore.
- Painful Ovulation: Mittelschmerz (German for middle pain) is an abdominal pain that some women may experience during ovulation. It is an effect of the formation of eggs which involve a rapid muscle action. Painful ovulation is quite normal and generally does not require treatment. But there are medicines available in the market to ease this pain.
- Increased Sex Drive: Some women may experience an increase in sexual desire when they are ovulating. This works perfectly, because it is the best time to engage in intercourse.
- Bloating: Some women may have a tendency of bloating around the time of their ovulation. This is a temporary reaction to hormonal changes and will subside after ovulation is complete.
