Ovulation calendar helps women determine the most fertile period of their monthly cycle. This is determined in order to plan or avoid pregnancy. To make use of this calendar, a woman must understand the process of ovulation.
Phases of a Woman’s Cycle
It is important to understand what happens during the cycle. There are three phases that constitute a complete menstrual cycle. They are: pre-ovulation phase, ovulation phase and luteal or post-ovulation phase.
The period or the cycle starts with shedding of the lining of the womb. This is the first day of the period and the first day of bleeding. At this time, the eggs present in the woman’s ovaries start developing or maturing. In preparation to receive a fertilized egg, the lining of the uterus starts thickening. This is the follicular or pre-ovulation phase. This phase is not very fertile but there are chances of conception taking place. This phase lasts for an average of 10-12 days.
During the ovulation phase, ovulation is most likely to occur and hence it is the most fertile period in a cycle. In this phase, the developed egg or follicle bursts open and is released into the fallopian tube. This usually happens mid-cycle, say on the 14th day of a normal 28-days cycle. 2-3 days before and after ovulation are the most fertile days.
In the post-ovulation phase, the egg is either planted in the uterus after being fertilized with a sperm or it is not fertilized. If it is not fertilized, the follicle breaks down and again sheds the lining of the uterus, which has gone unused. Thus the cycle begins again.
Usage of Ovulation Calculator
To use an online ovulation calculator, simply enter the first day of your last period, the average total duration of your cycle and click on ‘view Calendar.’ This will give you your personal dates of ovulation and the most fertile days.
Changes during Ovulation
Besides being aware of your fertility with the help of an ovulation calendar, a woman can know about the same, through some less obvious but significant changes in her body during the cycle. These are:
Basal Body temperature charting: The body temperature of a woman increases at the time of ovulation. The woman should chart her body temperature at the same time of the day for about two months. She will notice a pattern, where the temperature will be higher by 0.4 to 0.6 degrees, around mid-cycle. This indicates the ovulation phase of her cycle.
Cervical mucus analysis: A woman can predict ovulation by observing the color, consistency and volume of cervical mucus. At ovulation, cervical mucus or fluid, will increase in volume, will be more sticky and stretchy, and will look white or creamy in color.
Cervical position: Just before and during ovulation, the cervix is very high up. It feels wet and is wide open. At other times, the position changes to low and it feels dry and closed.
So, if a woman is aware of her fertility period, she can plan sexual intercourse at such a time to conceive. On the other hand, if a woman wishes to use this knowledge as a natural birth control method, she can avoid sexual activity during this time to avoid getting pregnant.
