Ovulation Calendar
Female menstrual cycles are not always predictable, and they are subject to being knocked off course by a variety of events, including flu or undue stress. If you are trying to conceive, then you must first become familiar with your own unique menstrual cycle, and learn to work with it. Almost every woman's cycle is different, and subject to various outside influences. Keep notes in a personal diary, and become familiar with the changes in your body at different times of your monthly cycle.
Ovulation is a specific phase in your menstrual cycle. It is at this time when your body releases an egg from one of your ovaries. A series of hormones trigger the release of the egg, which then travels down the fallopian tube towards the womb, awaiting fertilization. The experts tell you that it is hard to predict ovulation, but if you keep good details of your last three periods, you will probably see a pattern emerging.
The general assumption is that most women have a cycle of around 28 days in length. But you are not most women, and everyone is different. Your cycle may be from 21 – 35 days in length. A good rule of thumb is that ovulation usually takes place about two weeks before your period starts. But actually, ovulation can take place from day 8 to day 20, depending on the length of your cycle. To find out when you ovulate, you need to look out for specific signs in your body.
Signs to watch out for include tender breasts. Before and during ovulation, your breasts may feel more tender than usual. During ovulation, your basal body temperature will increase slightly. There are special ovulation thermometers available from drug stores everywhere, to pinpoint when your temperature rises. You will need to monitor your temperature every day for a month, at the same time of day, and under the same conditions, to establish a baseline. Many women keep the thermometer beside the bed, and routinely take their temperature before getting up each day. Another predictor of ovulation is the type of mucus present. During ovulation, the mucus changes from opaque or white, to clear, sticky and very stretchy. It is also more abundant.
Many women chart their cycle to determine when they are ovulating. Charting in this way is useful for predicting your period as well as pinpointing the times of the month when you are more likely to conceive. Ovulation prediction kits are now widely available to help you determine when you are ovulating. The test measures the amount of the LH hormone in your urine, allowing you to know when you are ovulating.
So whether you are trying to conceive, or trying not to conceive, an Ovulation Calendar will prove a most valuable tool.
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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_37322_61.html
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