Anyone who knows the fundamentals of conception will know that it is more likely to occur during the ovulation part of a woman’s cycle when the egg is released from the ovaries. In fact, just before and just after are the optimum times. But how do you work out when you’re ovulating?
Some women can actually tell they’re ovulating by the cramps they feel – slightly different sensations to period pain cramps – and also by food cravings, slight flushes in temperature, lower back pain and a range of other symptoms, some common, and some peculiar to a handful of women.
A fertility calculator helps a couple to determine the right time to conceive. It is also useful for couples who are trying not to conceive, although it’s best to use a barrier method as well, such as condoms.
What is a fertility calculator?
Basically, it’s a little program you can find on a variety of websites and you simply enter in the length of your cycle, on average as well as the first day of your last period. You hit ‘enter’ or ‘calculate’ and your probable ovulation date will appear instantly. You can find one of these little handy programs at www.fertility.com or by Googling ‘fertility calculator’ or ‘ovulation calculator’.
Does it work for everyone?
It would be wonderful to say that a fertility calculator works for everyone but it’s a fact of life that some women simply do not have regular cycles. If your periods are irregular, you should see your doctor to check if you are in fact ovulating.
Before making an appointment with your doctor, keep a daily diary of your cycle. Make a note of changes in your cervical mucous, days of bleeding and any other symptoms you notice. Take it along with you to your doctor’s office so he or she can see what your body has been up to. At least three months is necessary to determine a pattern.
If you are under instructions from your medical professional to have intercourse at particular times of your cycle and to abstain within a certain range of days to enable sperm count to grow, a fertility calculator can help you determine exactly when you should be active. Simply log on to the website where your calculator is, enter your dates and voila! You will know what to do and when!
See also…
Trying to Get Pregnant?
Infertility: What Causes It And What Can You Do About It?