by Holly Huffstutler

Created on: June 22, 2010

When ovulation begins, or is about to begin, a woman’s body will give off subtle signals to let her know that that month’s egg is waiting to be fertilized.

First off, her vaginal discharge will increase and change consistency. According to Dr  Roger W. Harms, Mayo clinic obstetrician and medical editor in chief, these secretions  “typically resemble raw egg whites.” Therefore, Whattoexpect.com urges its readers to “…monitor your vaginal secretions or cervical mucus by checking regularly for mucus at the opening of the vagina” The day after ovulation, vaginal discharge gets thicker and less plentiful

Paying attention to timing is important as well. Remember that ovulation usually occurs halfway through a woman’s menstrual cycle, around day 14.

Cramping is a good (cramping, good?) indicator as well. Ovulation can cause mild abdominal cramps. Yes, they’re not just there to cause you pain. Whattoexpect.com tells us that “this monthly reminder of fertility is thought to be the result of the maturation or release of an egg from an ovary.”

Parents magazine informs that the release of the egg, and the body’s preparation to welcome sperm changes the firmness and position of the cervix. Whattoexpect.com goes into a bit more detail: “During the beginning of a cycle, your cervix — that neck-like passage between your vagina and uterus that has to stretch during birth to accommodate your baby's head — is low, hard, and closed. But as ovulation approaches, it pulls back up, softens a bit, and opens just a little”

While determining possible ovulation based on the workings of your vagina, look northward. Or feel northward, because ovulation is also indicated by breast tenderness.  

To make this more technically specific; ovulation, and the best time for conception, can be determined by tracking the basal body temperature. According to the Mayo clinic website “Your basal body temperature is your temperature when you're fully at rest.”

To determine whether this base temperature has risen to indicate ovulation, Harms recommends the following: “Using a digital thermometer or a thermometer specifically designed to measure basal body temperature, take your temperature every morning before you get out of bed. Plot the readings on graph paper and look for a pattern to emerge. You'll be most fertile during the two to three days before your temperature rises.”  

Read more on ovulation and millions of other medical factoids at these three wise sites. The what to expect one is the most entertaining read.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovulation-signs/AN0 1521

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/basal-body-temperat ure/MY01002

 

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/getting-pregnant/ov ulation/signs-of-ovulation/

http://www.whattoexpect.com/preconception/fertility/ five-ways-to-tell-you-are-ovulating.aspx

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