Ovulation usually occurs mid-cycle. More precisely, ovulation usually occurs fourteen days before the onset of bleeding. However, ovulation can be delayed by many factors, including sickness, alcohol or prescription drug intake, travel, and stress. This is the main reason why simply counting the days can be inaccurate. To make matters even more confusing, a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2000 concluded in only about 30% of women is the fertile window entirely within the days of the menstrual cycle identified by clinical guidelines—that is, between days 10 and 17. You will find your success in tracking your fertility will be far greater when you become attune to your own personal fertility signals rather than just counting the days. It is a brief guide that I have put together from both personal and patient comments throughout the years. The time frame varies, so don’t worry if your cycle is not the same. Keep in mind that each woman’s physiology is different. Steps to Recognizing Fertility Signs: 1. Find a system of recording your menstrual cycle and fertile times that is easy for you to use. Using this book or your normal diary or calendar works just as well as long as you remember to write down the information you need. A plethora of free smart phone applications exist and make charting even easier. 2. Use your system regularly. 3. Start observing your mucus, and keep a record…write it down. This book offers free blank charting templates in Celcius and Farenheit, along with instructions that you may copy and use each month. Alternately, use a website such as FertilityFriend.com or similar smart phone apps as many of our patients do. This offers convenience and has the added benefit of being shared via email to your practitioner.
