How to Know When Women Ovulate

There is only a period of 24 to 48 hours per month when a woman can conceive. This period of time is when she ovulates (releases a mature egg). Knowing when you ovulate is vital when actively trying to become pregnant. Recognizing the signs your body sends out can help determine when ovulation occurs.

Things You'll Need

• Digital thermometer
• Notebook
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

Monitoring Basal Body Temperatures

1. Check temperature before rising from bed each morning. For a more accurate reading, you can check your temperature vaginally.

2. Write down the temperature in a notebook for daily reference.

3. Review past temperatures during this cycle for dips or elevations. Temperature dips (even just by a few tenths of a degree) around the 14th day can indicate that you are ovulating. You can confirm that the dip is related to ovulation by reviewing the next day's temperature. If the following day's temperature is elevated, it is highly likely that you ovulated.

4. Continue to check temperatures daily and write them in your notebook. Be sure to make a note when your menstrual period begins since the start of your period means the start of a new cycle.

Checking for Cervical Changes

1. Wash your hands.

2. Insert one or two fingers inside the vagina.

3. Locate the cervix. The cervix will be at the end of the birth canal and will block your fingers from moving up. Notice if the cervix was easy to reach. Make a note regarding the position of the cervix. If the cervix was easy to reach, it is considered low. If it was difficult to reach, it is considered high.

4. Feel the cervix. Make a note regarding the way the cervix feels. If the cervix feels like your lips, it is considered soft. If it feels like the tip of your nose, it is considered firm.

5. Locate the opening of the cervix. It may feel like a small hole or a slit. Note whether the opening of the cervix feels open or closed.

6. Write your findings down in your notebook.

7. Review your notebook. If you are near ovulation, the cervix will be high, feel soft and be open.

Checking for Fertile Cervical Mucus

1. Wash your hands.

2. Insert one or two fingers into the vagina. Make a sweeping motion with your fingers, then remove your fingers from your vagina.

3. Look at the mucus on your fingers. If the cervical mucus on your fingers is similar to egg whites (clear and stretchy) or is watery, you are near ovulation.

4. Write your findings down in your notebook.

References

• "Taking Charge of Your Fertility;" Toni Weschler; 2006
• JustMommies.com