When the time comes to grow your family, tracking and timing your ovulation and fertile window is key.
First, lets' talk... what is ovulation?! Mayo Clinic's definition is, "it's the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary. After it's released, the egg moves down the fallopian tube and stays there for 12 to 24 hours, where it can be fertilized by sperm."
A woman's fertile window begins a few days before ovulation. It is best to begin having intercourse a few days prior to ovulation and especially on ovulation day. Having intercourse multiple times during this week can increase the chance of sperm meeting the egg when ovulation occurs. Did you know that sperm can live up to five days?!
A normal cycle has an average of 28 days which is calculated from on the first day of menstruation (Day 1) to the day before the next menstrual cycle begins. Ovulation typically falls on or around Day 15. If women are dealing with any cycle irregularities, endometriosis, PCOS, or other western medical diagnosis, it is common for these dates to be shifted. Luckily, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can help regular menstrual cycles and any symptoms.
- TIPS ON HOW TO TRACK YOUR OVULATION -
First and foremost, do not base your cycle and cycle dates only off a period or fertility app on your phone. These apps take the average of all your data and it can be common for apps to miscalculate your ovulation date all together, which is a huge "no-no" when trying to time everything perfectly. If you choose to use an app, please incorporate other methods for tracking your ovulation! Here are some examples:
Basal Body Temperature (BBT): BBT is when you taking your temperature (orally), first thing in the morning -- place the themoeter by your bedside and don't get up and move before taking your temperature. Then track your temperature on a paper or on a cycle app. When the menstrual cycle begins, the temperature stays fairly consistent, once ovulation occurs, a women's temperature increased due to progesterone hormone. If the cycle is about to start again, her body temperature will decrease. If she becomes pregnant, her temperature will remain heightened.
OVULATION KITS: When the fertile window begins, start taking a ovulation strip (urine) test to track your actual ovulation date. There will be no lines if ovulation is not occurring, faint lines if ovulation is approaching in the days ahead (fertile window), and a hard line if ovulation is occurring. This is a great way to find your exact timing for intercourse. I highly recommend "Premom" which can be purchased on Amazon.
DISCHARGE CHANGES: Increased vaginal discharge that is thin, stretchy, and/or egg whites consistency, is a great indicator that you are in your fertile window with ovulation approaching. "This thinning allows sperm to pass through the cervix during intercourse and provides them a more alkaline environment in which to survive." - Mayo Clinic
If you have additional questions regarding your ovulation or fertility, email Sybil --- sybil@thewellnessstudio.net
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