The Big "O"

No, I'm not talking about that "O"... i'm talking about Ovulation!

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovarian follicle. Each cycle, several ovarian follicles begin to mature and develop under the influence of pituitary hormones. Usually only one follicle develops fully. While the other follicles recede, this dominant follicle produces an egg which will be released and which can be fertilized. The growing follicle secretes increasing amounts of the hormone estrogen. Following peak estrogen production, there is a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH surge triggers the release of the mature egg from its follicle. This is ovulation.

The LH hormone is what the OPK's pick up.

Once ovulated, the egg is picked up by one of the fallopian tubes and begins to travel towards the uterus in the fallopian tube. This is where fertilization, if it is to happen, takes place. 

The lifespan of the egg after ovulation is just 12-24 hours, maybe even less. Fertilization must take place within this timeframe. After this timeframe, the egg begins to degenerate and is no longer capable of being fertilized. This is why it's so critical to time your "baby dance" around ovulation. It's such a short window of opportunity each cycle.  The good thing is that sperm can live longer (averaging 3-4 days, but studies have shown that they can live in the fallopian tube for up to 7 days!).

So when does ovulation take place?

Usually it takes place about 2 weeks before your period, although it can vary widely! (as in my case)

For an average 28 day cycle, the usual ovulation period is between days 14 and 16.  Those of us who have longer cycles will ovulate later-- I found out after charting that I ovulated around days 19-22. (with about a 30-35 day cycle)

There are a few days to detect oncoming ovulation: charting, observing cervical fluid, and opk's.  I like opk's the best because they give you the best 2 days to conceive.  Cervical fluid is hard to decipher and not every woman can tell the difference.  More on cervical fluid deciphering here!

Charting tells you the day you ovulate-- although you can't tell until after you already have.  But if you keep a record of a few months, you can usually tell around the time that is normal for you.

Here is my favorite charting tool website-- Fertility Friend.

You can also use a Ovulation Calculator. You put in the date of your last period and your cycle length and it will give you an approximate day that you will ovulate. The one in the link above will even tell you the best days to conceive a boy or a girl! {it's all in theory though- dont think it will work 100% of the time!}

 After you ovulate, you'll have to wait 7-10 days for implantation! And it may take a little longer after that for you to be able to get a + result on your pregnancy test!