|
|
Researchers have been studying the changes in cervical mucus during a woman's cycle since 1945 and fertility clinics and doctors have been using this method of determining fertility for decades. In 1969, Dr. Biel Cassals, a Spanish gynecologist, studied the crystallization of saliva. In 1971 he developed a microscope to check for ferning in saliva. Since then many hand-held microscopes have appeared on the market and range in price from about $20- $60 on average. Some come with slides much like a regular microscope. The Fertility TrackerŪ comes with 6 slides so that you can save results from previous days to compare one day to the next. The Fertility TrackerŪ costs $49.95 plus shipping and is available on the web at http://www.fertilitytracker.com.
If your child has a microscope you can use that. 100-200x magnifications is all that is needed. I've even used a loupe that's used for looking at negatives. It is only 8x magnification and I could see ferning. The saliva microscope is more convenient than your child's microscope though, as they are portable and your child may not appreciate you spitting on their toys.
Along with checking saliva for ferning you can use other fertility signs to either avoid or achieve pregnancy. The Natural Family Planning method includes using a temperature chart that records your basal body temperature. Your basal body temperature is you body's temperature at rest. This chart can help you determine if you are ovulating each cycle and about when it happens.
© Karen Squires
Credits: Family Content
 |
 |
