Pregnancy Ovulation Calendar
There are a lot of things you can do to boost your fertility, but timing intercourse around ovulation is most important to your chances of conceiving. Using a pregnancy ovulation calendar can help determine when ovulation occurs so you can make the most out of your fertile days.
Ovulation is the small window of fertility in the menstrual cycle where the ovary releases a mature egg into the fallopian tube. As the egg moves down the fallopian tube and travels to the uterus, it may get fertilized by a sperm cell if unprotected intercourse takes place during this time. Ideally, ovulation should occur 14 days into the menstrual cycle, but this is not a universal rule. The date of ovulation depends on the length of a menstrual cycle, which varies from woman to woman. Not to mention that environmental factors like stress can delay ovulation and cause you to miss this small window of opportunity.
What is an ovulation calendar?
An ovulation calendar allows you to track the changes in your menstrual cycle so that you can easily predict when your luteal phase begins. The luteal phase, or the days past ovulation, is the second part of the menstrual cycle that begins on the day after ovulation and ends on the first day of your period. The idea is to be able to predict the day of ovulation so you can schedule intercourse around your “peak fertility” – that is, the day before and the day after ovulation. Our website contains an ovulation calendar that can help you out with this, completely free of charge.
Ovulation calendar and basal body temperature
The ovulation calendar alone cannot help you determine when your peak fertility begins. For best results, you need to use it to track your basal body temperature (BBT), the temperature of your body at rest. Your BBT varies throughout the menstrual cycle and these changes can help you figure out which days you are the most fertile. During the first part of your menstrual cycle (right after your period ends), your body temperature stays at 96-98 degrees. However, this temperature can rise up to 99 degrees as soon as ovulation occurs in order to provide a fertile environment for the egg. This temperature does not lower until the first day of your period.
You can track your BBT with a special thermometer called a basal thermometer. To make life easier, choose a digital basal thermometer that provides readings up to two decimals, e.g. 96.55. These decimals are critical to detecting the shift in temperature prior to ovulation.
Take note that the BBT method is not a precise method – it only lets you know when ovulation has taken place. It’s important that you get used to predicting the general pattern or rise in temperature so you can have intercourse on the days before ovulation occurs.
How to use the ovulation calendar
You can start using the ovulation calendar at the beginning of a new menstrual cycle. Print out the calendar and enter the date at the top left corner, starting with the first day of your menstrual cycle. Using your basal thermometer, take your morning temperature as soon as you wake up, before you get up and start your day. It’s best if you keep your basal thermometer by your nightstand because the slightest physical activity can alter your temperature. You can also obtain accurate results if you take your temperature at the same time every morning. It also helps to go to bed at the same time at night and to avoid drinking alcohol. Sleeping late and drinking can alter your body temperature, and it is important to make this chart as accurate as possible.
You can take your basal body temperature orally, vaginally, or rectally, as long as you use the same method throughout the entire cycle. You also need to place the thermometer the same way every day, e.g. same vaginal or rectal depth, or the same location in your mouth. Stay very still as the thermometer reads your temperature.
At the left side of the calendar are temperature readings in Fahrenheit ranging from 96.8 to 99. As soon as you obtain your reading, place a dot on the box below the date that corresponds with the temperature reading. At the end of your cycle, connect the dots so you will know when ovulation has occurred.
It is difficult to say what a “normal” temperature is because pre-ovulatory temperatures vary from woman to woman. What you want to find is a temperature change of at least .4 degrees over the last six days. If the temperature stays elevated for three consecutive days, then you have probably ovulated.
Repeat the practice every cycle. Within six months, you should be able to discern a pattern that will help you predict when your luteal phase begins. Charting your basal body temperature can also help you look for signs of pregnancy. If your temperature stays elevated for at least 18 days after you ovulate, you might already be pregnant.
