Ovulation

Question 1

Pinpointing ovulation to maximise chances of conception

Answer 1

• In favourable circumstances, sperm can live for about 3 days.
  As oestrogen increases in the lead up to ovulation, women
  produce fertile-quality cervical fluid that provides a medium
  to protect the sperm from the acidic pH of the vagina.
• An egg normally only survives up to 48 hours
  after ovulation.
• It is recommended to have regular intercourse
  5 days prior to ovulation, and 3 days after.
  Depending on the length of a cycle, you
  can judge possible ovulation times.

Question 2

Ovulation strips

Answer 2

Ovulation strips: Measure the amount
of LH (luteinising hormone) in your urine
which can help pinpoint ovulation:
* It is best to start testing about cycle
day 9 until you get a positive result.
* Best to test with undiluted urine, but
not first thing in the morning.
* Some people can rely solely on these
tests and miss ovulation by concentrating
all of their efforts on a few days a month.

Question 3

cervical mucus

Answer 3

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, cervical mucus
is scanty, viscous, and very cellular forming a netlike
structure that does not allow the passage of sperm.
* Mucus secretion increases during
the mid-follicular phase and
reaches its maximum approximately
24–48 hours before ovulation.
* The water and salt concentration
increases, changing the physical
characteristics of the mucus. It becomes
thin, watery, alkaline, elastic and looks like egg-white

Question 4

Mucus secretion may be altered

Answer 4

Mucus secretion may be altered by hormonal changes and
medications such as the OCP, clomiphene citrate, surgical
procedures, infections, hypoestrogenism and radiation therapy.
* Cigarette smoking decreases the production of cervical mucus.
* Cervical mucus monitoring is a simple
way for women to start ascertaining their
fertile days for intercourse for conception.
* If cervical mucus is scanty, clients can
increase their fluid intake, take evening primrose oil (prior to
ovulation only) or use a fertility friendly lubricant that does
not affect the pH during intercourse (e.g., organic jojoba oil).

Question 5

Temperature charting

Answer 5

• Just before ovulation BBT drops then rises
  0.5° C until menstruation, due to the extra
  progesterone. By monitoring your BBT
  you can see whether you have ovulated.
• Measure with a BBT thermometer every
  morning upon waking with minimal movement
  in bed. Ensure that a reading is taken after a
  minimum of 4 hours unbroken sleep.
• Interrupted sleep can affect temperature reading.
• Alcohol consumption can ↑ temperature and invalidate readings.