Julie has always noticed the vaginal discharge she has varies, but never paid close attention. Now she’s trying to conceive, and wants to be able to identify the signs of ovulation. She was surprised to find out that this discharge is one of those signs.
Knowing when you ovulate will help you to identify your most fertile days, which are the best time to conceive. Understanding the signs of ovulation will help you to get pregnant more quickly.
What are the Signs of Ovulation?
- Changes in cervical mucus
- Changes in cervix
- Ferning of saliva
- Hormone changes
Cervical mucus is the discharge from the vagina. This mucus is necessary to keep the sperm alive until it is able to meet up with the egg after it is released from the ovary. When you are fertile this mucus will become thick and slippery. It often is like raw egg whites, and may stretch an inch or more between your fingers. It is like this during your most fertile days, and is often called fertile mucus.
Cervix changes take some time to recognize. When you are fertile your cervix will be wet (from the fertile mucus), higher, softer and more open. You can feel your cervix at the top of your vagina.
Saliva ferning occurs when you are fertile, due to salt crystals. The term ferning describes what these salt crystals look like under a microscope after your saliva dries. You need a 50x lens to see these patterns. You can get a small, inexpensive microscope designed just for this. It’s fun and easy.
Hormone changes also happen when you are approaching your most fertile days. An Ovulation Predictor Kit is designed to identify these changes in hormones that predict ovulation. Ovulation is the technical term for the release of the egg from the ovary. The most common type of kit measures the LH surge, when the Luteinizing Hormone level rises.
These signs are not definite. But they are the most helpful signs that begin before ovulation and signal that you are fertile and can become pregnant.
To Your Vibrant Health!
Veronica Tilden, DO