When Does Ovulation Occur?

Many women plan to get pregnant and often ask themselves “when does ovulation occur?”. You are probably asking the same question. Under the influence of your hormones, one egg is released from your ovary each month. The egg moves into your fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by a man’s sperm. This is when ovulation occurs.

There are many ways to figure out when you are ovulating. You can watch the calendar or observe your natural body signals.

Ovulation Calendar

In most cases, ovulation occurs 14 days before the beginning of the next menstrual cycle. Most women have an average 28-day menstrual cycle. In this case, ovulation occurs on around day 14. Some women have shorter or longer cycle. If you have a 24-day cycle, your ovulation occurs on day 10. If you have 35-day cycle, you ovulate on day 21. Some factors such as your lifestyle, stress, medication or other problems can affect your hormone production resulting in irregular menstrual cycles. This makes it difficult to determine when you are ovulating using calendar.

Signs of Ovulation

Some women experience pain when ovulation occurs. This is called mittelschmertz. Some may experience spotting during ovulation. Some women have headaches, bloating or breast pain. These are signs of ovulation.

Cervical Mucus

At the time of ovulation, your cervical mucus increases and is clear, thin and stretchy making it easier for the sperm to pass into the uterus. Your mucus also becomes more alkaline so that the sperm can live longer. At other time of the month, your cervical mucus is thick, cloudy and acidic or your cervix may be dry.

Cervix

Your cervix changes at different time of the month. You can put a clean finger into your vagina to feel your cervix. Around ovulation, your cervix becomes softer and slightly open. It also moves to a lower and more central position.

When Is A Woman Most Fertile

Timing is critical if you are trying to get pregnant. Many women miss their chances month after month as they don’t understand when they are most fertile. To become pregnant, your egg needs to be fertilized within 24 hour period by a man’s sperm. Sperm can live up to 4 days. This means you need to have sexual intercourse within a few days before ovulation or on the day of your ovulation if you want to get pregnant.

Get Pregnant

When the sperm and egg unite within the fallopian tube, fertilization occurs. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus for implantation. For a viable pregnancy to result, the egg and sperm must be healthy. Your body hormones that help to produce estrogen and progesterone must be in proper balance. The lining of your uterus must be healthy and ready for implantation.

To get pregnant, it is best to have sex every other day nearer the ovulation date so that you don’t miss the time when you are the most fertile. If you can’t, at least try two days before ovulation and the day you ovulate.