Ovulation occurs when a fertile woman releases one or more eggs every month. The egg is released from the follicle on the ovary, after which it travels down the fallopian tube where it can be fertilised (see real life pictures below).
Ovulation takes place in the tissues of the ovary
These images are the first time the event has been captured in clear detail
The egg is shown emerging from the follicle on the ovary
After release, the egg travels down the Fallopian tube where it can be fertilised
These pictures were captured during a rotinue hysterectomy operation which was carried out by Gynaecologist Dr Jacques Donnez.
Ovulation happens approximately 14 days before the next menstrual cycle (your Period). However, because every woman is unique ovulation can occur on any day during your monthly cycle, that’s why it is very important to chart your cycles, I have gone over how to do this and tools you can use to help you to conceive in more detail below.
Determining you ovulation window is key when trying to fall pregnant, If you have a 28 day cycle you will usually ovulate during cycle days 14 to 16. If you have a 32 day cycle you could ovulate between days 16 and 18. One way to approximately calculate your ovulation is by using the formula below:
Total number of cycle days – 14 = Ovulation day(s)
for example
28 -14=14th (so, on the 14th day during my menstrual cycle is when I am due to ovulate)
Tools which can help you monitor your ovulation
Keepings a diary
Keeping a diary is a great way for you to learn more about you cycle and it will also help you keep track of changes that occur before, during and after ovulation
Charting
Charting consists of logging your daily BBT (Basal Body Temperature), position of your cervix and cervical mucus.
BBT (Basal Body Temperature)
A woman’s BBT increases quite significantly just before and during ovulation. If you strike lucky and conceive you BBT will remain high throughout your pregnancy. It has been said that the BBT method is not the most reliable method to use as there are many other reason why your temperature could be high, for example you could have the flu.
Position of your cervix
Checking the position of your cervix is not a difficult thing to do, if anything it will help you to learn more about your body and your ovulation window. If you choose this method in determining you ovulation then you need to check the position of your cervix at the same time everyday to obtain a good all round picture of your ovulation window. I have detailed below the steps you must take when checking your cervix.
Wash your hand thoroughly with soap. This vital as you do not want to introduce any infection into your reproductive system. If you are suffering from a yeast infection or any other kind of virginal infection, it would be advised NOT to start checking your cervix until this has fully cleared up.
Find a comfortable position where you can easy reach your cervix. Standing with knees spread a part is a good position for me as it sitting on the floor and pulling your knees into your chest.
Using you middle finger and fore-finger enter your vagina, you will need to go deep inside to find you cervix, you will know you have found it because it feels like a lump which points out, some say its feels like the tip of your nose when your not fertile (and that’s so true, that’s how I knew I had found mine)
If you are NOT ovulating you will find your cervix easily because it will be low and hard. If you are ovulating or due to ovulate your cervix will be up high and soft.
Cervical mucus
The cervix produces the mucus, this mucus changes colour, odour and texture throughout your monthly cycle. Once your menstrual cycle has finished, you will notice that your mucus will become dry. When the mucus is dry it makes it harder for sperm to enter the cervix, hence more un-likely that you will fall pregnant because you are not ovulating. As your body gets closure to ovulation you will notice that the mucus’s quantity and texture change. The mucus will become sticky / stretchy and there will be a lot more of it. I am not talking bucket loads but enough that you will be able to see some of it on your underwear, or when you wipe yourself.
Days 1-5 Menstruation
Days 6-9 Dry, little or no mucus
Days 10-12 Sticky, thick mucus
Days 13-15 Egg white mucus, thin, elastic, slippery, stretchy, clear (most fertile time)
Days 16-21 Sticky, thick mucus
Days 22-28 Dry, little or no mucus
There are a lot of fertility monitors on the market which will help you pin point ovulation. I will go over this subject in future posts.
My personal experience with ovulation
The most important thing for me was to find out which days I ovulated. To do this I brought a tool called the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor. This monitor told me my most fertile days, in-fact it was able to tell my 2 high fertility days and my 2 peak days. The monitor was very easy and straight forward to use. This monitor put my mind at rest, it answered my question of “which days do I ovulate during my monthly cycle” and I can say that I did not ovulate on the same day each month. I also used to check my cervix and cervical mucus, and the changes in both coincided with what the monitor was telling me. The monitor cost me £99 and the sticks cost me £20. you have enough sticks to last for 3 months.
