Determine your ovulation
What are the most fertile days, when is your ovulation and how does an ovulation test work?
When am i most fertile?
Ovulation occurs about halfway through the menstrual cycle. This is also called the ovulation ovulation. In a 28-day cycle, this happens around day 14.
During this period, there are several days when conception is possible with- a consistent menstrual cycle, you can begin trying to conceive 3-4 days before ovulation to get pregnant up to one day after the ovulation. To identify these fertile days, you can calculate your ovulation and you can find helpful tools for this purpose online: calculators .
At the beginning of her fertile period (around puberty) a woman has thousands of egg cells in both ovaries. After approximately 100 days of maturation in a small sac called a follicle, an egg cell becomes ready. During the final days of this maturation process, under the influence of estrogen, the uterine lining becomes thinner, making it more accessible for sperm cells. This results in a surge of luteinizing hormone, also known as LH-peak . This stimulates the release of the egg from the follicle in the ovary. The egg then travels to the uterus through the fallopian tube. Ovulation has occurred.
Ovulation test
What are the signs of an ovulation?
- vaginal discharge
You can recognize ovulation by an increase of vaginal discharge, more slimy and thicker than you are used to, 3-4 days before and up to 2 days after ovulation. This makes it easier for sperm cells to reach the released egg. - testing LH peak
You can measure the LH peak in your urine with an ovulation test. This test is available at drugstores and pharmacies without a prescription. You often test for several days; a few days before you suspect ovulation and a few days after. - body temperature
Just after ovulation, your body temperature rises by 0.2-0.5 degrees for a few days. - and also:
An increasing libido, headache or nausea may occur.
Follicle development & ovulation
Ovulation
Once the egg cell has been released, it starts its journey in the fallopian tube with the final destination being the uterus.
If ejaculation occurs in the vagina shortly before ovulation, sperm cells will be waiting in the fallopian tube. The egg is fertile for 24 hours after ovulation, and fertilization happens in the middle part of the fallopian tube. The egg and sperm cell combine into one large cell, which then undergoes several cell divisions.
Approximately 5 days after fertilization, the fertilized egg reaches the uterus. Implantation occurs about 10 days after fertilization. The thick uterine lining, influenced by progesterone, allows the egg to implant. From this moment, the HCG hormone is measurable. A pregnancy test can detect this hormone in the urine, letting you know if you are pregnant.
The chance of a good implantation is about 50%. This depends, among other things, on the quality and health of the endometrium, your age and whether the cell divisions have been successful.
If the egg is not fertilized, the progesterone level will slowly increase. The endometrium thins again, is shed and menstruation will start.
Being intimate in the fertile period
To become pregnant, having intercourse every two or three days is usually sufficient. More frequent intercourse is fine but not necessary. Sperm cells can survive for a few days in the uterus. If you know when ovulation occurs, most pregnancies result from intercourse in the six days before ovulation.
Do you have questions about your ovulation or do you desire to have a baby? Visit our fertility consultation with one of the midwives (reimbursed if you have Dutch or EU health insurance). Please call our assistant at 020-2103170 to make an appointment at one of our three locations.
Do you have any questions about ovulation or getting pregnant? Please contact our assistant and we will be happy to answer them.
And would you like to get acquainted with our practice? Then sign up for Meeting amstermam.
