How to Create an Ovulation Calendar to Conceive

Starting an ovulation calendar to track the days you are most fertile is important when trying to conceive. Many people don't realize that you are actually only able to get pregnant within about a 48 hour window during your monthly cycle. If you have fairly regular periods, using an ovulation calendar makes it easier to determine your fertile days. If your cycle is normally less than, or more than, 28 days you will need to adjust your calendar accordingly.

Things You'll Need

• Blank calendar (one printed from Microsoft Word works well)

Instructions

1. Get an ovulation calendar to devote strictly to charting your cycle. Then, to start tracking, place a star on the first day of your cycle. Wait one full month and place a star on the first day of your next cycle. Count the days between to decide the length to use.

2. Count 14 days from the first day of your cycle. Make a big heart on that date on the ovulation calendar. Then put hearts on the four days before this day and the 2 days following. This should be your prime time of fertility. You will usually ovulate about 14 days into your cycle (on a 28 day cycle).

3. Record on your ovulation calendar when you have intercourse. Use a happy face, or some other symbol. Take into account that sperm will stay in your system for a few days. Due to this, some research shows that your best bet is to have intercourse every other day during your fertile period.

4. Note on your ovulation calendar how you feel each day. This is helpful in determining when you will ovulate. You will usually feel the same symptoms each month around that time.

5. Monitor your discharge. You will have a thicker, more mucus-like discharge around ovulation. Note these changes the ovulation calendar as well. There are many patterns to your cycle that you don't notice unless you are charting them.

6. Take your temperature each morning before getting out of bed and write it on your ovulation calendar. When you see an increase, you are most likely ovulating that day.

7. Keep your ovulation calendar up to date while trying to conceive. This will help you become more cognizant of your body and hopefully help in your quest to become a mother.

Tips & Warnings

• Keeping a calendar is a helpful tool. Don't let it rule your life.

• Don't hesitate to contact your doctor if you have questions or concerns about why you aren't conceiving.