What is Normal Ovulation Cycle?

Pregnancy is only possible in a very limited window of six days - the five days prior to ovulation through to the day of ovulation. This period is the ‘fertile window’ in a woman’s cycle, which makes it the best time to try and conceive. Getting pregnant quicker depends on making sure that the sperm and egg meet at the right time in your cycle. Charting your ovulation cycle helps you do this.

It is generally believed that ovulation happens around day 14 of the menstrual cycle; however, you must remember that this is true if you have a perfect 28 day cycle. Most women don’t – so for someone with a 30 day cycle, ovulation could take place on day 16. The exact timing might vary from woman to woman, and even month to month. Therefore, looking to your body for certain signs could help you plan better.

Cervical Mucus Secretion

Just before you ovulate, you might notice an increase in clear, slippery vaginal secretion. After ovulation, when the odds of becoming pregnant are slim, this discharge becomes cloudy and thick or disappears entirely.

Basal Body Temperature

Ovulation can also cause a slight increase in basal body temperature – a sure indicator that you have ovulated. You are most fertile during the 2 -3 days before your temperature rises. So tracking your basal temperature can give you a fairly accurate idea about your cycle and help you calculate your ‘fertile window’.

How To Track Ovulation:

A woman’s monthly cycle is measured from the first day of her menstrual period until the first day of her next period. On average, a woman’s cycle normally is between 28-32 days, but some women may have much shorter or much longer cycles.

Ovulation can be calculated by starting with the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) or by calculating 12-16 days from the next expected period.

Most women ovulate anywhere between Day 11 – Day 21 of their cycle, counting from the first day of the LMP. This is what many refer to as the “fertile time” of a woman’s cycle because intercourse during this time increases the chance of pregnancy.

Ovulation can occur at various times during a cycle and may occur on a different day each month. It is important to track your cycle and fortunately there are a number of free fertility charting tools available to help women identify their peak fertile days.

What else can you do to conceive?

Apart from a regular cycle and intercourse at the right time, it is important that you are healthy. Sometimes, this could mean making changes in your lifestyle to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby.