Monday, September 14, 2015
I think the most important thing when beginning to try for a baby is getting to know your body.  Tracking ovulation is a very successful trying to conceive (TTC) technique used to discover your fertile time which is when your chance of getting pregnant is most likely.
To better understand ovulation, here is a graphic to illustrate the basic anatomy.
5 Signs You Are Ovulating
When a female child is born, all the eggs that she will ever have are stored within the ovaries.  Once one reaches puberty, the eggs can begin to mature and release. The first day of your cycle begins on the first day of your period. A chemical (hormone) reaction occurs, signaling to the eggs that they can send one out.  The egg emerges from the ovary and travels into the fallopian tube making it's way to the uterus.  As you approach ovulation, another chemical reaction takes place to create the perfect environment within the uterus for conception.
The American Pregnancy Association says, "Ovulation occurs for most women between day 11- day 21 of their cycle."  Once that egg is situated perfectly, it has a time frame of only about 24 hours to be fertilized, so planning for this moment is what TTC is all about!  Even if you're not TTC, Fertility Awareness is helpful in Natural Family Planning. The signs of ovulation aren't too difficult to notice, once you know what you're looking for.
More Trying to Conceive Tips
5 Signs You Are Ovulating:
1.  Increased sexual desire.  Libido changes throughout the course of your cycle, usually peaking right during ovulation and again before the start of your period.
2.  A change in cervical mucous.  This may not be so obvious for some but this graphic shows the difference to expect.  When cervical mucous appears to be likewise to that of an egg white, you're gold.
Ovulation
3.  A spike in body basal temperature. This requires you to take your temperature every morning when you first wake up, before you get out of bed.  If it's 1-2 degrees higher than the day it was before, you can be almost certain you're ovulating.
4.  Breast tenderness.  Due to the hormone changes, some women feel that their breasts feel more full and may experience sensitivity during ovulation.  However, keep in mind this isn't always a reliable indicator, as tender breasts can also be a sign of PMS and pregnancy.
5.  Positive result on an ovulation predictor test.  Ovulation predictor tests are the way to go because they eliminate any confusion with temperatures, mucous, etc.  You pee into a cup and dip the stick in, then lay it on a flat surface and wait 3 minutes to read the results.  You only have to do this 1-2 times a day for approximately one week a month.  Once you get used to recognizing your body's natural timing, you may be able to use the strips just a couple days a month.  These test strips are 99% accurate.


I use an app on my phone for tracking my cycle called P Tracker.  It has a calendar that you can customize to track on it's own, without having to program everything in every single day.  Although I do anyways! I mark the days I'm intimate, my symptoms and moods, there's a place for you to keep track of temperature and weight, any medications you use and a notepad for anything extra.  I love this app, it's helped me tremendously and is always right on.  There are many apps or calendars available that do the same thing, so my advice is to find something that works for you and stick with it!
Ovulation App
My husband and I have been talking about trying for one more for a little while so looking into all this has been fresh on my mind.  I've been researching and reaching out to others who have been through the process.  I asked a few of my friends to share their perspectives and I'm so glad I did.  Their TTC journeys have given me a new confidence.  I hope they bring some comfort and encouragement to you as well.



"Seeing my health care provider several times a month gave me the reassurance that we were in this together and I felt like they were just as committed to achieving pregnancy as I was." -Becky

"When we first were TTC I knew nothing about charting or signs of fertility. But once I knew how to chart & signs to look for, I was pregnant within 2 months!  Being in tune with your body is the key." -McKenzie


"After being diagnosed with PCOS from a lack of ovulation and a menstrual cycle, I was prescribed medication that made everything possible. Even on my darkest days I knew that the medication was doing what it was supposed to and now my son is my living miracle. It's all possible and I can't wait to add more to our family."- Angela


"My best advice is try not to stress too much, although it seems impossible. I conceived the month after I gave up actively trying, actually." -Stephie



3 comments:

  1. Good luck on baby making. This is great info for those who want a baby.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We use a Natural Family Planning method called the Creighton Model System. We love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have ovulation symptoms but don't ovulate thanks PCOS

    ReplyDelete

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