Ovulation and Fertility

When a woman is trying to become pregnant, she may wonder about fertility, especially if she does not get pregnant within the first few months of trying. To aid couples in this situation, DocShop has provided fertility information, including pregnancy conception tips, ways to reduce the chance of infertility, and how to locate a fertility specialist in your area.

Normal Fertility

A woman who is part of a "normal" couple (one where neither partner has fertility problems) has about a 25 percent chance of getting pregnant each month when contraceptive measures are not used. Therefore, it should not be a concern if a woman trying to get pregnant does not succeed right away. Many different biological factors must coordinate properly in order to conceive and timing is a very important consideration.

When Is a Woman Most Fertile?

While fertility varies somewhat from woman to woman and conception can occur at any time, the fertility cycle typically follows a predictable pattern. A fertility calendar can be used to chart this cycle. Each month, the four days in which a woman is most likely to become pregnant are those immediately preceding and following ovulation. These days usually occur in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation refers to the release of a mature egg or ovum, which can be fertilized by sperm from a male.

To best capitalize on a woman's fertility period, intercourse should begin before ovulation since sperm survive an average of three to four days in the fallopian tubes. This enables sperm to travel into position to fertilize the egg. The ovum can be fertilized for 12 to 24 hours after being released from the ovaries.

Signs and Symptoms of Ovulation

The following signs may indicate that a woman is ovulating:

·        Changes in cervical mucus

·        Position and feel of the cervix

·        Increased basal body temperature

·        Increased sexual arousal

·        Tenderness of the breasts

Charting Ovulation

There are several different methods for determining the date of ovulation, including:

·        Using an ovulation calculator

·        Observing changes in cervical mucus

·        Monitoring basal body temperature (BBT)