Anyone who wishes to be pregnant must understand what ovulation is and, more importantly, what their ovulation cycle is. It increases the chances of pregnancy as well as helps eliminate any misconceptions.
What is Ovulation?
- Every month, the ovaries release a mature egg, which travels down the fallopian tube to get fertilized. If the egg fertilizes, the lining of the uterus would thicken in order to protect the egg and help it grow.
- The life of the mature egg is about 12 to 24 hours, and hence, if it isn’t fertilized within that window, the uterus sheds its lining, which is what is called the period.
How does one know when one is Ovulating?
- While some women may feel the ovulation in the form of a back ache or cramp on the side of the body, usually, ovulation is one of the many things that go on inside the body that we are not consciously aware of. So, how then do women know when they are ovulating?
- Women with a regular period cycle usually ovulate around the same time every month. With calculators available online and on the App Store to help one figure out their ovulating cycle, it is not very difficult to pinpoint the days of ovulation.
- However, there are certain signs of ovulation that the body emits that one must be aware of. Cervical mucus, for example, becomes wetter and clearer when one is about to ovulate. The base temperature of the body also changes, i.e., it is about half a degree higher than usual.
Also Read: When should you look for a fertility specialist?
Which is the Most Fertile Period for a Woman?
As per a regular and healthy menstrual cycle, most women are fertile 5 days before they ovulate and on the day of ovulation itself. Ovulation usually occurs 2 weeks before the onset of the next period. Again, there are online calculators to help you understand your cycle. However, if you want to know the exact windows of fertility and receive medical advice, at Apollo Fertility, we encourage you to meet an obstetrician and a gynaecologist, who are experts in Female Diagnostics and infertility treatment.
This brings us to some important things about ovulation that one must know:
- The menstrual cycle has phases – the follicular phase from the first day of the last menstrual period and continues up to ovulation day, and the luteal phase, which is usually from day 12 to 16.
- Typically, a single egg is released, but more than one can be released, which would result in twins, triplets, etc., if and when fertilized.
- Stress, eating habits, medications, and climate change can affect the ovulation cycle.
- Ovulation can occur although a menstrual cycle has not occurred.
- Every female is born with the eggs she will ever have, and their quality and quantity decline as she ages
- Having intercourse just before ovulation increases the chances of pregnancy. Sperms can stick around for about 4 to 7 days, so having sex in the day 11 to day 16 range of the menstrual cycle has the highest chance of turning into a pregnancy.
- In case of any doubts about your reproductive health, we at Apollo Fertility encourage you to be more sensitive about your ovulation cycle and talk to your obstetrician and a gynaecologist.
