KissMeGoodnight Article Series: Fertility
Fertility & Conceiving A Baby Explained

What Are The Top 3 Signs Of Ovulation?

It can be useful to know what the signs of ovulation are when you are trying to get pregnant. Of course, if you want to be very accurate with your predictions, you will need to begin taking your temperature and keeping records to have an accurate idea of exactly when you ovulate.

However, most couples do not need to go to a lot of trouble in order to conceive a baby. When couples with no fertility problems are having unprotected sex more than once a week around the middle of the woman's cycle, around 25% of them will get pregnant. This means that around 80% of couples who don't have fertility issues will conceive a baby within one year.

If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, it can be useful to know some of the signs of ovulation. The three main signs are:

1. Temperature Change

At or just after ovulation, a woman's body temperature will rise slightly. A typical temperature rise would be 1 degree Celsius, but it could be just half of a degree.

This is not something that you can feel by placing your hand on your forehead. You would need to have a thermometer. It's important to take your temperature at the same time every day and to write it down on a chart, so that you can clearly see what is happening. The best time to take it is as soon as you wake up, before getting out of bed.

Of course, any kind of illness can affect your temperature too. If you have a fever your temperature records will not be useful for ovulation.

2. Changes In Texture Of Cervical Mucus

Many women find that their cervical mucus looks and feels different around the time of ovulation. It thickens and becomes stretchy to provide the best environment for the man's sperm. You may notice this difference on underwear or when touching the area.

Changes in mucus are often the first sign of approaching ovulation, so if you are trying to get pregnant it is a good idea to observe this change in your body and act on the signals that it gives you.

3. A Slight Ache Or Pain

Some women feel a slight ache or pain in the area of the womb when they ovulate. It may be just a passing feeling or it may last for a few hours. The feeling is often slightly to one side, as the ovaries are at the sides of the womb.

Some women describe it as being like a mild period cramp. Others experience it more like an ache. Many women do not feel it at all.

It is important not to rely on this feeling unless you have other evidence of ovulation. Keep in mind that there may be other causes for a pain in that area of the body, including cramps in the lower digestive system or pains in the appendix or other organs. But for many women who are trying to have a baby, this remains one of the useful signs of ovulation.

Click here if you or someone you love is struggling to get pregnant (or simply want to increase the odds). Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot have kids naturally. It's my KissMeGoodnight recommendation.

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by KissMeGoodnight.com : 2011

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