Charting Ovulation 101 Part Two

In Part One, we covered the benefits of charting and how to track basal body temperature. Here we’ll discuss other fertile signs that complete the picture. 

Cervical Fluid changes

Cervical fluid is an alkaline, protein-rich fluid that changes in consistency throughout the cycle. After your period, there are a few days where the fluid is dryer, or not noticeable. Leading up to ovulation, the fluid wetness increases.  Fertile cervical fluid is slippery, clear and stretchy. It nourishes and protects sperm from the acidic vaginal environment, helps to keep the cervix open to allow for sperm to swim through, and creates straight channels to give sperm an easy route up to the egg. 

You can keep track of the changes by collecting the fluid from the vaginal opening with your fingers. Fertile fluid will stretch a couple of inches before breaking when you spread your fingers apart. It typically lasts for 3-5 days, and oftentimes leaves a circular pattern of discharge on underwear or provides an increased sensation of lubrication. The peak day (most fertile day) of your cycle is considered to be the last day you produce wet, fertile quality cervical fluid, or have a lubricative vaginal sensation.It usually occurs 1-2 days before or on the day of ovulation and is always determined in hindsight. 

Record your cervical fluid consistency (dry, sticky, wet, slippery) with your temps to see if your signs and temps are aligning or if there are irregularities or confusion that need to be sorted out. 

Ovulation Predictor Kits

This is an optional piece to charting that many women choose to include when trying to conceive. An OPK tests urine to detect the increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation (when the egg is released). The increase occurs about one day before ovulation, and the most fertile time of your cycle is the 12- 24 hours between the LH surge and ovulation. It’s important to note these kits mark the trigger for ovulation, not the actual ovulation event. Read common problems to avoid with OPKs here.

Other fertile signs

Other signs that you might experience around ovulation include increased libido, water retention, improved energy, breast tenderness, a swollen vulva, increased skin sensitivity, and achiness near the ovaries (which has it’s own medical term called mittelschmerz!). Being aware of fertile signs can help round out and confirm the info from temps and cervical fluid changes. 

So there you have it! At first glance it may sound complicated or time consuming to track the aspects of the fertile window, but most women find once they start, it only takes a few minutes a day and is relatively easy to incorporate into their routine.