Top 5 Signs of Ovulation
Be on the lookout for these top five signs to tell if you are ovulating:
Your sex drive may increase.
Your cervical mucus becomes clearer and thinner with a more slippery consistency (similar to egg whites). The proper term for this is Spinnbarkeit.
Your cervix softens and opens up.
Your basal body temperature falls slightly, then rises again.
You may feel a slight twinge of pain or mild cramping in your lower abdomen. The term for this is Mittleschmerz.
In the fertility space, we usually use the above characteristics as soft signs of ovulation. We employ the tools of modern medicine to ensure that our patients are ACTUALLY producing a follicle (egg) that is maturing and ACTUALLY leaving the ovary (nest).
Some women find it helpful to use an ovulation predictor kit (OPK), which are accessible and relatively cheap, but also can cause a HUGE amount of frustration! Pro Tip: If you do want to utilize an ovulation predictor kit, choose the type that give a "yes/no" or "positive/negative." A word of caution: keep in mind OPKs are not super accurate, so don't put all your eggs in one basket with this technology (no pun intended!).
Our bodies are amazing! What must happen in a single cycle to produce an egg and then combine with sperm and go through chromosomal separation and cell division is magical. It can also be heart breaking when it isn't happening for you and your partner. Getting support around you during your journey can help the process immeasurably.
We are here to meet you where you are. Whether you are ready to jump in with both feet or just want to learn about your options, we are here to hold your hand.
Reach out if you need any support, now or in the future.
If you know someone struggling with fertility and you think our support might help them, share this post!
Nurture Women's Health and Fertility
831.515.7078
Email Dana: Dana (at) nurturesantacruz (dot) com
About The Author
Dana Ramsey is a Certified Nurse Midwife and has spent the past 15 years helping women navigate their gynecology, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopausal challenges. Dana is dedicated to helping her patients overcome conditions impacting their ability to conceive and maintain a successful pregnancy.
