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So, you know all there is to know about a woman's ovulatory cycle, but you're still trying to conceive? Let's overview ovulation prediction methods:
This refers to the standard information that "a woman's cycle is 28 days in length, therefore she ovulates on Day 14." Unfortunately, this is a huge generalization. In fact, there is a wide range of normalcy when it comes to menstrual cycles (24 to 35 days), and most women do not have cycles of the exact same length each time.
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This means that finding your most fertile time strictly based on the calendar is leaving a lot to chance, which may work out fine if you're of average or above fertility. If, on the other hand, you're average or even subfertile, it could result in a tremendous waste of precious time.
This is a combination of methods gaining widespread popularity through books and websites. Sometimes referred to as the "Billings method," "natural family planning" (NFP), or "fertility awareness methods," it basically consists of understanding and being aware of the various signs that a woman's body offers to signal approaching fertility.
BBT simply refers to a baseline reading of your body's temp, that is, the temp your body typically runs before any physical activity occurs (other than the activity of your organs doing their thing). Keeping track of your BBT, commonly referred to as "tracking" or "charting," over a period of several cycles can help detect a pattern of fertility.
It is often recommended (or required) by fertility professionals (and insurance companies) that a woman chart her BBT for at least three months before moving forward with any other treatment decisions.
The quality and quantity of a woman's cervical mucus (CM) can play a substantial role in fertility. CM refers to what is often called "vaginal discharge," although some discharge is the result of infections. CM is secreted by the cervix in hopes of assisting sperm on their way to fertilization.
As your body prepares to ovulate, your cervical mucus changes in appearance and texture. Regular observation of CM changes can help detect a pattern of fertility.
The location and feel-to-the-touch of a woman's cervix can also act as a fertility signal. As your body prepares for its most fertile time, the cervix should become more open in order to accept sperm into the uterus.
Becoming familiar with cervical changes involves first learning what it feels like during other times of your cycle.
© Tracy Morris
