Ovulation occurs at different times of the month for different women. It can occur as soon as day 6 (or earlier) or much later than on day 14.
When charting body temperature, readings should be taken at the same time every morning, before rising, with a good basal body thermometer. An 3-day or longer upward shift in temperature indicates that ovulation occurred on the day before the rise began. Draw a coverline by counting back the last 6 days of temperatures before the rise and going 0.1 degrees above the highest. Use that to ensure that temperature post ovulation stays above this line - otherwise you may have a luteal phase defect or a low progesterone problem.
To chart cervical fluid, simply wipe the outside of the vagina and examine the residue. Cloudy, sticky, or no fluid means either ovulation isn't near or it has already occurred. The presence of clear stretchy fluid ("egg-white fluid") indicates that ovulation is very near, usually a day or two away. Some women may also spot during ovulation (this is normal).
Charting the cervical position is the most invasive tracking method. Not all practitioners recommend this, but if you do it, wash your hands thoroughly and keep your nails trimmed. The cervix at peak fertile time rises up and opens to allow sperm to enter, and becomes soft, like your lips. This is also known as SHOW: soft, high, open and wet. After ovulation, it becomes low and firm and feels like the tip of your nose. It may take several cycles to catch on with this sign.
When to Have Intercourse and Take a Pregnancy Test
It is advisable to have intercourse on the days before and during ovulation. To be extra sure, have intercourse for 3 days after you see a rise in temperature. If the man has a normal sperm count it is okay to have intercourse every day. If the sperm count is low, every other day will suffice.
If you do become pregnant, you may experience some symptoms. About 4 to 12 days after ovulation you may experience implantation spotting when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterine lining. You may also experience fatigue, nausea, food cravings or aversions, sore breasts and mood swings. Of course, these symptoms sometimes mimic PMS and it can be hard to determine if it is in fact pregnancy.
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