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Signs of Ovulation

• Basal Temperature Monitoring and Charting
• Cervical Mucus Observation
• Cervical Position Observation
• Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPK's)
• Fertility Microscopes
• Other Possible Signs

Basal Temperature Monitoring and Charting

If a woman monitors her basal body temperature (BBT) daily and keeps a chart on her findings, she can begin to notice patterns that give her valuable clues to her fertility. It doesn't necessarily predict ovulation for your first cycle charting but if done consistently and correctly you can identify when you ovulated (or if you're not ovulating at all), which is very important information. After a few cycles you can detect the pattern that will allow you to more accurately predict ovuation, particularly when combined with other fertility signs.

Features to look for in a basal thermometer

The first step is to get a digital thermometer that actually states on its package that it is a basal thermometer. These are generally far more accurate than regular digital thermometers.

One of the more important features to look for - memory! This way you can take your temp and go back to sleep, and later you can check your thermometer for the last temperature taken and record it then.

Another important feature to look for is a thermometer which beeps when ready to use and especially which beeps when done.

Being backlit is also nice but not necessary if yours has memory.

Here is one that looks good. You can also shop around at your local pharmacy to see if you can find one there.

Tips for Successful Temping

• Take your temperature as soon as you wake up (even before you move, and especially before you get out of bed!)
• Do not take a drink or eat anything before taking your temp
• Take your temperature at the same time every day
• Be sure you have had at least 3-4 hours of consecutive sleep
• Keep your thermometer, a small notebook and a pen on your bedside table
• Try to record your findings right away, including the time you took it

Tips for Successful Charting

I could give you information to create charts yourself - it's certainly possible. But I'm just going to point you in the direction of software that does all of the hard work for you. You simply input your data (your daily temps in addition to other fertility signs - some discussed below such as cervical mucus and firmness) and the software magically plots it all out and can help you see the clues the information gives you.

So, check out Ovusoft (based on TCOYF), Fertility Friend and BabyMed.

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Cervical Mucus Observation

Your cervical mucus (CM) is one of the most obvious clues to your fertility. Checking your mucus may be as little involved as checking your toilet paper when you use the restroom or learning how to check it internally via a finger test (more accurate). Wash your hands before - and after - checking internally.

Refer to this chart to see what the basic types of cervical mucus are and what they signify. The chart below starts directly after menstruation and ends just prior to your next period. If you chart you should have a place for recording your findings.

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Cervical Position Observation

Another really cool thing your body does in preparation for ovulation is alter the firmness and position of your cervix. Cervical position (CP) is another valuable tool you have to help you determine when ovulation is getting ready to happen.

To find your cervix, wash your hands first. You will be able to find it more easily if you squat, sit on the toilet (perhaps with your feet on a small stool), or standing with one leg hiked up on the tub or toilet. It isn't glamorous, so lock the door! As with CM observation, insert a finger or two into your vagina. Your cervix can be found at the end or the top of your vagina. If you start checking your CP at the end of your period it will be firm (like your nose) and low.

There are three properties of your cervix that you will want to record - height, firmness and openness. Your cervix raises, softens, and opens when you are fertile - i.e., close to ovulation. Prior to and after this it's completely the opposite.

Height (Position)

After your period and after ovulation, your cervix will be more easily reached, and as ovulation approaches it cruises upwards and is harder to reach - and for some women, they can't reach it at all!

Firmness

After your period and after ovulation, your cervix will be extremely firm and may remind you of your nose. Approaching ovulation, your cervix will be super soft - almost like touching your cheek or your lower lip.

Openness

In women who haven't had a child before, the opening of the cervix feels like a tiny dimple and is tightly closed before and after ovulation. If you've had a baby, your cervix feels more like a "smile" and doesn't necessarily close tightly, so it's important to get a feel for what is your firm, closed and low by starting soon after your period ends.

Quick pointers:

• Begin checking CP the day after your period ends
• Check only once per day (in the morning perhaps)
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after
• Try to relax! Tensing up can make this more difficult
• Sit (or stand) in the same position each time you check this sign

Reference chart:

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Ovulation Prediction Kit (OPK's)

OPK's are similar to pregnancy tests except that the detect LH instead of hCG. They can range in price but it all boils down to detecting the LH surge that occurs right before you ovulate - 12 to 36 hours in fact, so they are really precise.

Regular strips or tests look like pregnancy tests except when using an OPK you need to keep in mind that the test line must be as dark or darker than the control line. To get around this issue you can use digital contraptions. Here are a few examples of what is on the market today:

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Fertility Microscopes

Dr. George Papanicolaou, who discovered an easy way to detect cancer cells from a simple procedure we now know as a Pap smear, also noted that cervical fluid showed specific changes throughout a woman's menstrual cycle. In 1945 He described a ferning pattern (also known as crystalization or arborization) when such mucus was dried and then observed under a microscope.

In 1969, Dr. Biel Cassals, a Spanish gynecologist, researched and discovered that dried saliva has the same properties. Near or right before ovulation, a woman has increased estrogen (peaking on the day of ovulation) and it causes the ferning pattern to appear. In this manner, a woman should be able to predict when ovulation is near. Subsequent testing and research commenced and it was met with varying degrees of success over the decades - from 92% to 98%!

Since then there have been several products created that help you look at your dried saliva from home. Here is one example:

What I have also discovered is that a regular microscope works as well! Very exciting for me as my elder son has one for looking at bugs or pond water or hair samples. I asked him for a blank slide and tested it out and it's perfect. I used the 100x - 200x magnification as the higher magnifications were too precise.

I don't have images of what to look for but when you have done it for a little while it's completely obvious. Non-fertile saliva simply looks like dots and lines. Ferning looks like, well, ferns. Here are the typical phases:

You should note that patchy ferning can be observed at other times in your cycle, particularly right before AF.

Some quick tips:

• FMS - haha, I mean, first morning saliva - before you eat, drink, brush your teeth or GOD FORBID smoke
• Gather saliva from under your tongue (a.k.a., sublingual)
• Try to avoid bubbles! They do look cool magnified, though.
• Let your sample completely dry - this can take as little as 5 minutes, but can take up to 15

This in and of itself isn't a 100% predictor of ovulation of course, but in combination with several other methods should paint a clearer picture for you.

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Other Possible Signs

Although these signs are less definite than those listed above, some women do report the following signs that, combined with other fertility signs, let them know that ovulation is coming or has occurred:

• Breast tenderness
• Cramping or lower abdominal discomfort
• Increased sex drive
• Bloating

As I said above, these are not "100% you have ovulated!" signs, but can be used to assist your plotting and planning on your chart or calendar.

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