Fertility Awareness

Fertility Awareness is very important for a woman who is trying to conceive. There are many organizations that will offer classes to teach you Fertility Awareness. The following information is not meant to be substituted for medical attention, only to inform women of some signs of fertility.

Ovulation is "one" of the keys to conception. Ovulation is the process in which an egg is released from an ovary, travels down the fallopian tube, and subsequently the uterus. In a normal 28 day menstrual cycle, a woman will ovulate at approximately day 14. However, if you have an "irregular" cycle (one that lasts longer or shorter than 28 days), ovulation will occur 14 days before your next menstrual cycle. Example: If you have a 32 day cycle, you will ovulate on day 18. Or if you have a 26 day cycle, you will ovulate on day 12.)

There are several physical signs of impending ovulation.

• Mittleschmirtz-which means "pain in the middle"-is mild cramping on one side or both sides that occurs right before ovulation and continues for 1 hour to 1 day.
• Cervical Mucous Thins--cervical mucous becomes thin, clear, and stretchy
• Cervix softens--during your fertile period, your cervix becomes very soft and mushy
• Light Spotting--some women experience light brown to light pink spotting at ovulation. This is due to the fact that ovulation causes cramping and some excess lining of the uterus may be shed.
• Basal Body Temperature--immediately following ovulation, your body's core temperature rises about .4 degrees. You can chart your BBT by taking your temperature everyday before you get out of bed in the morning. It is important your temperature be taken around the same time every day to get an accurate chart. However, the temperature rise indicates that you have already ovulated. So, this method is usually used to predict next month's ovulation because most women will see a pattern develop.

See your doctor if you would like more information on any of these signs of ovulation.

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