Use an Ovulation Calendar to Determine Fertility
If you’re trying to become pregnant, it’s important to know when you have the best chance of becoming pregnant. In other words, having intercourse when your body is at its most fertile could increase your chances of conceiving.
One of the easiest ways to determine when you’re most fertile is using an ovulation calendar. This method helps you keep track of your body’s natural cycles and estimate the best days to attempt conception.
What is ovulation?
Your body prepares itself for pregnancy each month. Usually between days 11 and 21 of your cycle, ovulation occurs when an egg is released. Your cervical mucus also increases during this time which help sperm reach the egg for fertilization. Your best chances for fertilization comes 24 to 48 hours after the egg is released.
What is an ovulation calendar?
It would be helpful to know exactly when ovulation will occur but unfortunately your body doesn’t let you know exactly when an egg will be released. That’s why it’s helpful to use an ovulation calendar. This method tells you when ovulation is likely to occur. You determine the date of ovulation based on your last menstrual period. For most women, ovulation occurs 14 days after the first day of her last period. So, if you start your period on May 1, you can anticipate ovulation to occur around May 14.
However, you won’t only be fertile on May 14. Your most fertile time period is four to five days before an egg is released and two days after it occurs. So if you start your period on May 1, you’ll be most fertile from May 10 until the 16th.
You can also predict ovulation using other methods, including:
- Taking your basal body temperature. In the days leading up to ovulation, your body temperature will start to rise.
- Looking for increased cervical mucus. Several days before ovulation, your cervical mucus will become clear and stringy, usually an indication that an egg is about to be released.
- Using an over-the-counter prediction kit. These tools monitor hormone levels and can give you an idea of when to expect ovulation.
It’s important to know when you’re ovulating so you can increase your chances of getting pregnant or for natural cycle IVF. If you have questions about how an ovulation calendar works, please contact our Vermont fertility clinic for advice. We have a great success rate compared to other fertility clinics in Vermont and would love to help you overcome infertility.
