Tracking Ovulation PDF Print E-mail
Written by Marcelle   
Friday, 09 January 2009 12:29

Cervical Mucus (CM)


 
Taking note of your CM can be more useful than you think when it comes to conceiving. You might even come to appreciate it once you know all the different stages and how it relates to where you are in your cycle. The word ‘mucus’ might make you slightly nauseous, but knowing the different stages of your CM and what it means can be a strong indicator that you are approaching ovulation.

Depending on what you are most comfortable with, there are 3 ways to observe CM:

1)Toilet Paper – By observing mucus found after wiping

2)Externally – With your fingers, feeling for mucus around the opening of your vagina

3)Internally – Checking mucus from the cervix by inserting two fingers (index and middle finger) into your vagina and gently sweeping the cervix

Once you have some mucus on your fingers, between your thumb and index finger, press them together and try to stretch the mucus. Does it stretch? Does it stay in shape? Is it sticky? Is it slippery? Is it clear?..... And you thought CM was boring……

Just as every woman’s cycle is different, so too is your CM pattern. Once you are used to checking CM and recording it you will notice your very own CM pattern; and how it relates to where you are in your cycle.

After your AF, you will notice that you might have a few days of no mucus. If you have mucus present, it will most likely be sticky. This is known as Infertile mucus. You will notice that it does not stretch and can have a white or yellowish colour to it.

As you get closer to ovulating, you will notice a change in CM. The next change in CM comes as a result of increasing levels of estrogen and usually feels sticky and may feel more “wet”. Sperm will find this form of mucus difficult to swim through.This CM still does not stretch, with the same colouring of white or yellow as before.

Fertile CM usually indicates the impending arrival of ovulation. You will probably notice this CM a few days prior to ovulation. Your CM may change to a more watery state and look more slippery. You may notice this mucus is more abundant than the previous forms of mucus. It’s likely to be clear.

As you are nearing ovulation. You will find your CM changing to what is known as EWCM (egg-white cervical mucus) It has often been dubbed the super fertile CM. Not all women experience this form of mucus so don’t stress if you don’t notice any EWCM. Most likely your cervix opening has enough EWCM surrounding it to make a more sperm friendly environment. This kind of CM is able to stretch between your fingers for approximitly 2-3 centimeters.

Once ovulation has taken place, you will notice that your CM returns to the thick, sticky mucus from before or it could dry up altogether until you get your next AF.

 

Cervical Position (CP)


 

Not everyone is comfortable with checking their cervix position (CP). So don’t stress if you do not keep track of your CP, it really isn’t the end of the world.

The feel and position of your cervix changes through out your cycle. You can by examining your cervix learn to recognize a pattern and predict ovulation.

How to examine your Cervix:

Make sure that your hands are clean.

It’s important to check your cervix at the same time every day.

Gently insert one or two fingers into your vagina, and reaching towards the back you should make contact with your cervix.

You should notice the following; Is your cervix low enough to reach easily or is it high? Does it feel soft (like touching your lips) or firm (like touching the tip of your nose). Does the opening of your cervix feel open or closed? Do you feel any moisture and how much?

Before ovulation, during the follicular phase of your cycle. Your cervix will feel closed, firm and most likely dry to the touch. It should be in a lower position and easy to reach.

Nearing ovulation, your cervix will become open, feel softer and you will notice a lot more moisture. You may find your cervix a bit higher, making it more difficult to reach.

After ovulation, your cervix will return to what it was like before. Firm, closed and lower.

You can use these changes in conjunction with checking your cervical mucus. Before you know it you will be able to pin point your ovulation, increasing your chance of conceiving.

 

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)


 

Simply defined as your body temperature at rest.

Charting your BBT can be a wonderful means of tracking your cycle, figuring out your LP length and more importantly confirming your ovulation date. Therefore making sure you get your intercourse (BD) timing as close to ovulation as possible. Tracking your temperature in the 2ww is also very helpful in determining if and when your period (AF) is due to arrive. Of course you wont be able to tell from your first cycle charting, but after 2 or 3 cycles you will start to see a pattern. It’s a great way to get to know your body and your cycles. It might seem confusing at first and maybe a little frustrating, but as soon as you get the hang of it you’ll enjoy being “in control” as much as you possibly can.

Everyone has their own personal choice of which charting method to use. Some just keep track by writing down their temps and graphing them on paper. I found that the easiest most user friendly way to chart is using Fertility Friend - It’s an awesome site with so much information regarding charting. Once you register, they send you daily “courses” on charting. Before you know it you’ll be a pro.


Above chart by courtesy of Fertility Friend.

During the follicular phase, you will notice your body temperature ranging from 36.00-36.5 Degree Celsius. Once you ovulate you will notice a thermal shift. In the luteal phase you will experience body temperatures ranging 36.6-37.00 Degree Celsius.

Some women experience a slight dip in temperatures just before Ovulation. If you notice this dip, take full advantage and start BD. Ovulation is confirmed after 3 days of consecutive raised temperatures. Take note that temping only confirms ovulation, it can’t “warn” you about upcoming ovulation.

After ovulation your temperatures should stay raised for at least 12-14 days. This will give you a good indication of your luteal phase length. Just a side note: your follicular phase, (CD1 to ovulation) can vary by a few days but your luteal phase more or less stays the same. So if you notice a luteal phase of 13 days, you can assume that your LP is 13 days long. Of course you will pick this pattern up after a few cycles charting.

Towards the end of the 2ww if pregnancy was not achieved, your body temperature should start to decrease. Every person is different, some will notice a slow decline in temps from 10dpo onwards or some a drastic drop the day AF is due. If you notice your temperatures declining, you are probably safe to assume AF is on her way.

Rules of charting your BBT:

Make sure you take your temperature at the same time every day. You may need to set your alarm clock to wake you up each morning. It’s very important to stick to the same time frame in order for your chart to be as accurate as possible.

Make sure you take your temperature consistently. You can take your temperature orally, rectally, or vaginally. Whichever method you choose, make sure you are consistent. You should also try to place the thermometer the same way each day (same location of your mouth, same depth vaginally or rectally).

Keep your thermometer beside your bed. It is important that you take your temperature while your body is at rest and rummaging around the house looking for your thermometer will only cause your body temperature to rise. So keep it at arms reach.

Do take your temperature after at least three hours of restful sleep. Try to get a good night's sleep before taking your temperature. If for some reason you did not get a lot of sleep or you woke up frequently through the night, you should still take your temperature. Just make a note of it on your chart.

Don't get upset if you oversleep or forget to temp. The purpose of charting is to help you determine when you ovulate and to hopefully help you conceive! If you forget to chart one day, just plot your temperatures anyway. Make a note of what time you took your temperature or if you skipped a day. We are looking for an overall pattern, one days temperature is not important in the greater scheme of things.

Don't drink, smoke or eat anything before taking your temperature. Eating or drinking can affect the temperature in your mouth if you are taking your temperature orally. This includes not getting up to go to the bathroom. Temp first and then you can get out of bed.

 

Ovulation Apparatus


 

Ovulation Prediction Kits (OPK) are used to test for the Luteinizing hormone (LH). A few days before ovulation, LH starts building up slowly in your system. At the point where LH is at its highest, called your “LH surge”, the test will give you a positive result. LH triggers off the ovulation process, where your mature follicle will release its egg.

 

Once you have your positive OPK, you can ovulate within 12-36 hours. This is a great way to predict ovulation, and of course can be confirmed if you are tracking your BBT. You should see a rise in temps over the next day or two after your positive OPK.

 

Ovulation Microscopes like the Fertile-Focus detects hormone changes that occur prior to and during ovulation. As estrogen increases, a "ferning" or crystal pattern can be viewed in dried samples of saliva (due to elevated quantities of electrolytes that will appear in your saliva). These ferning patterns indicate that ovulation is about to take place.

 

Unlike urine LH tests, Fertile-Focus allows you to track fertility and your cycle changes throughout your entire cycle. When you observe a positive result (crystal/ferning patterns), ovulation is likely to occur within 24 to 72 hours.