So I took an ovulation test the other day so I could start mapping that with the knowledge I am supposed to have. I was totally wrong! I I am not ovulating on the days I thought. Here is my question / worry: I always thought it was 14 days after the start of your last period, WHEN IS IT? I feel akward asking this question but now I am wondering. Also how do you go about finding your ovulation date without getting pregnant? Could my last pregnancy be the reason my ovulation is off? I have so many questions now that I feel like my head is going to blow. Help me ladies I really need this information! To help prevent unwanted pregnancy and also when I am ready know when to try.
(Head down in shame for not knowing this)
My son was born in Jan. and I did not have the chance to BF. so I have been pretty regular since Feb. or March. Usually 26 days. Does the temp go up or down when you ovulate?
Well, I don't have all the answers for you, but ovulation doesn't always come on the same cycle day. Everyone is different. I ovulated on day 16 this month. I only know that because I can feel when I ovulate. Not everyone can tell.
<grin> No worries! If it was midway for everyone, no one would need tests!
It can happen at ANY point in your cycle. (including 1 day prior, during your period, or one day after.
It can be consistant (nearly always on x days)
It can vary each month.
In a perfect world we might ovulate predictably near the 14th day after the start of our periods.
But my ovulation was bit sporadic.
Have you tried any of the free, on-line ovulation sites? That's what I eventually went by and it helped me conceive my last child. I was a week off too and though I knew better.
14 days would be average....but I never did ovulate then. Your best resource is to get the book taking charge of your fertility. It is an amazing book ...a bit pricy...so get it from your library if you cant afford it....but get it.
You will need to start charting your cycle. The easiest indicator is when you start getting all that clearish white discharge after your period. You could also use ovulation predictor kits startiong a week after your period...they do have these at dollar stores now.
We're your boys born without induction? If so, were they born before or after your due date? That could tell you if you ovulate before or after the norm of 14 days...because docs use the 14 days when figuring out due dates.
Good luck. It is quite empowering to know how your cycles work!
Text book ovulation is 14 days after the start of your period, and then you geet your next period 14 days later. Most people aren't textbook. How long are your cycles (start of one period to start of another)? the leutal phase (time after you ovulate) is 10-15 days for a majority of women - mine is 12 days. The start of the cycle is where the fluctuation happens. Typical for me is a 33-35 day cycle, therefore I ovulate on day 21-23. When I got pregnant with my daughter, I had a very wonky cycle and didn't ovulate until day 48.
So main question - how do you find out when you ovulate? Cheapest way is to track your basal body temperature. That is the sure fire way to know you ovulate - outside of doing daily ultrasounds. A more expensive way is to do the ovulation sticks daily until you ovulate. However, the sticks only tell you that you are about to ovulate, not that you actually did. I had a few cycles that I got a positive on the ovulation sticks and never ovulated (per my temps) and then went on 10 days later to get another positive on the ovulation sticks and then actually ovulate.
will tell you all you need to know. They even have lessons and education on there.
If you're cycles are 26 days then you are probably ovulating on day 12 of your cycle. 14 days is just a guild line, woman ovulate at all different times of the month. There are a few things to look for. The cervical mucus should increase around the time of ovulation and become very much like egg whites during this time. Usually woman will have the egg white for about 2 to 3 days. If you start charting you need to do it for months before seeing a pattern. But usually your temp will jump up a whole degree as soon as you ovulate. Some woman will also see a slight dip in their temp right on the day of ovulation. But I know it can be kinda hard. Just keep working at it!
I could write a book about this but there is already an excellent one that answers every question you have put forth plus all the ones that will arise from the answers.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility.
You won't regret it. It's a wonderfully informative book.
Yes, your cycles can change after pregnancy, or stress, or weight gain/loss, or a ton of other ways.
You should see a temperature spike up when you ovulate.
* and yes, as a few ladies have pointed out, typical ovulation is 14 days BEFORE the next period. 26 day cycle = ovulation on day 12 of your cycle
You can test with the kits, or you can learn how to "read your mucus" and bodily fluids and if you want to get really involved, check temperatures and use charting and all that other fun stuff such as you would with Natural Family Planning. I learned in my teens how to read the signs of my cycle in the mucus and discharge, and I also matched those things up to how my body was feeling. I can tell the difference between period cramps and ovulation cramps, for instance, and there are other signs that will follow with each in my body as well in the discharge.
*It's a pretty helpful skill to have and helps me figure out why I have particular aches and pains at certain times when I currently use the Mirena even though we're not using NFP.
I recommend reading "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". It's a wonderful resource. Through that book, I discovered that I ovulate on the 8th day of my cycle and now I know my body signals well enough to know when I am ovulating.
I don't know about temp as I have never used that method.
Good luck!
Everyone is differnt. Some women are like clockwork, others are completly random. you need to determine what your body does, as other have, i recommend the book "taking charge of your fertility". It will explain all the different signs & aspects of your fertility & help you to know your own cycle. Once you know how your own body responds each month it will become second nature for you to know when you are ovulating & you will be able to use that to either help get pregnant or to keep from getting pregnant, or to know if there is something wrong & you should see a doctor. The books helps you become aware of your body & to read its signs.
With my 26 day cycles, I ovulate on Day 10.
1) For me: I used online ovulation calendars to track things.
There are many FREE ovulation calendars, online. Just do a Google Search.
I never used ovulation "kits."
2) Then, I also knew, what ovulation symptoms were in my body. So, that is what I went by. And I knew when I was ovulating. Versus counting days after my period or going by temperature etc.
Do you know, ovulation symptoms in your body? That is also key.
Using these 2 things, I got pregnant.
It will vary for each woman as to when they ovulate.
But I found the online ovulation calendars, to be very good.
My periods were always regular, before pregnancy and after. I breastfed as well with both my kids.
It is generally 14 days before the start of your next period (your luteal phase, but it can be 13-15 days depending on the person). So you find your cycle length and go from there (cycle length minus luteal phase). If you have a 28 day cycle, you most likely ovulate on day 14 of your cycle. If you have a 32 day cycle you most likely ovulate on day 18 of your cycle and so on and so forth.
Given your 26 day cycle, chances are you ovulate on day 12 of your cycle. Your temp goes up slightly after ovulation.
You also have to consider some women(I'm one) in which OPKs don't work for them. So I don't waste my money on those things. Best bet is to go to your local bookstore or library and get the book Taking Charge Of Your Fertility. It will show you how to chart YOUR cycle. Your temp should have a dip and then a spike up to show that O has occurred. The book will go into great detail about all this. It will also show you the other signs you can use to watch for O.
The LP can actually be between 12 to 16. That is the time frame after you O to the time your period starts.
It was through charting that I found out OPKs don't work for me. My last pregnancy I was charting and using OPKs the OPK never showed that I was about to O. But my chart was following the usual pattern and I knew when I Oed. A week later I noticed my chart was looking different than previous charts. I waited a few more days and went in to have a blood test done. They told me it was too soon but I knew and the blood test showed it as well. I was indeed pregnant.
You have to remember also that OPKs don't actually show you when you O they are just there to give you a window of when you MIGHT O not that you will actually will O.
