In addition to cervical changes, temperature fluctuations, and changes in your cervical mucus during your monthly cycle, many women experience other fertility signals as well. Sometimes these additional symptoms are referred to as “secondary” fertility signs, because they don’t occur in all women, or even in every cycle in individual women. You can increase your chances of conceiving by familiarizing yourself with your emotional and other physical changes that occur each month and recording them on your chart in addition to your BBT, mucus and cervix signals. By doing this, you will get a more accurate picture of when you are most fertile.
Tag: charting
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Fertility Charting Tools
To chart your fertility, the only tools you need are a ‘calendar’ or fertility chart/graph and a basal body thermometer. Basal thermometers are more accurate than regular thermometers and are ultra-sensitive, tracking your body’s slightest temperature shift. Most digital basal thermometers come with a sample graph that can be enlarged and duplicated on any copy machine, or you can even download a printable chart on-line. Some women prefer to do their charting completely on-line, it’s just a matter of person preference.
Record your observations and findings on your chart each day. If you tend to have very regular cycles each month, your charts may look strikingly similar. If your monthly cycles are irregular, you may gain a wealth of information by charting for an extended period of time.
–Tracking your basal body temperature (or BBT)
–Observing changes in your cervical mucus
–Monitoring your physical and emotional symptoms
–Checking the position and shape of your cervix -
Fertility Charting
Fertility charting is basically a pregnancy achievement technique. It requires recording all of your fertility signs on a chart; allowing you to track ovulation, predict the most fertile time in your cycle, understand your own personal fertility patterns and increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
Besides rapid pregnancy achievement, charting can also be helpful in diagnosing and resolving many fertility issues, such as hormonal imbalance or ovulation problems. Potential complications that charting may be able to alert you on include anovulation (when no egg is released), low estrogen, low progesterone, thyroid conditions and even possible miscarriage.
For couples having difficulty in conceiving, fertility charting can be a very valuable tool. Charting can help you identify your most fertile days, so you can make love on those days to increase your chances of conception. A woman is only fertile for a few short days (the egg lives and can be fertilized for 12-24 brief hours after ovulation) during each menstrual cycle, so timing when you make love is critical part of conception.
In addition, many doctors and naturopaths strongly encourage fertility charting because it’s completely safe, natural and does not rely on drugs or medical procedures and there are no health risks or side effects. Plus, by charting your fertility, you will also become more aware of the patterns unique to your body, along with gaining a better understanding of how pregnancy is achieved. Once you understand these patterns and changes (and with a little patience), you can begin to anticipate ovulation through a combination of methods:
–Tracking your basal body temperature (or BBT)
–Observing changes in your cervical mucus
–Monitoring your physical and emotional symptoms
–Checking the position and shape of your cervixRead more on Fertility
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Emotional Fertility Signs
For fertility, charting your mood swings, thoughts, emotions and energy level along with your cervical mucus and changes, your other physical changes and your BBT, you may discover that they are closely linked to possible conception. On the other hand, some women don’t notice cyclic mood and energy variations whatsoever.
Estrogen rises and peaks as ovulation approaches, therefore many women experience increased sexual feelings, heightened desire, and more feelings of affection. This may be due in part to the increased slippery-feeling cervical mucus (which is similar to arousal fluid, but more watery) that is produced as ovulation draws near, causing increased libido on your most fertile days. It’s no coincidence that the word “estrogen”, the fertility hormone, stems from Latin roots which mean “creating mad desire.”
Other secondary signs you may notice as ovulation approaches may include: increased energy level, heightened sense of vision, smell or taste, easier concentration and mood swings. After ovulation, as your fertile phase ends, you may suddenly feel depressed or let down. Many times you may experience a drop in your libido as well. These feelings are important signals and are good to note on your chart.
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Cervix, Changes and BBT
A combination of charting your basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus and cervical position and shape will indicate when the most fertile time of your cycle is. Cervical change signals general fluctuations in your estrogen levels and can be very helpful and fairly reliable in predicting your fertility. Checking your cervical position and shape takes some practice. Also, to chart this particular sign, there are some guidelines you should follow to achieve the best results.Your Cervical Changes and Shape
Right after your period ends, the position of your cervix is low, hard and closed. At this point in your cycle, it should be easily reached by your fingertip and feel as if you are touching the tip of your nose. A firm, pointed shape generally indicates low estrogen and you are considered to be infertile during this time.
As estrogen and fertility increase (immediately prior to ovulation), your cervix softens, opens up and rises to it?s highest point within your body so that it?s harder to reach. The opening increases as well, which makes the slit or tiny hole feel much larger, becoming more receptive to sperm, allowing them to make their way more easily through your cervix. Your cervix remains this way until after ovulation has taken place.
Once ovulation has occurred- when estrogen levels suddenly drop, you can feel your hardened, closed cervix back in its lower (pre-ovulatory) position. Keep in mind that women who have given birth previously may notice that their cervix feels slightly open, even after ovulation. When the position of your cervix drops, it will become easy to reach once more. At this point, you are considered infertile once again and cannot get pregnant.
You should begin observing your cervical position and shape the first day after your period ends. Cervical position can be monitored throughout the day and be done while checking your cervical mucus. Before checking your cervix, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. The best time to check it is right after you have showered. Sitting on the toilet or with one foot on the toilet seat (or bathtub) may be the most comfortable positions for checking your cervix. You can check your cervical position by gently inserting your finger and feeling for your cervix, which is located at the top of your vagina. Record if it?s hard to reach (high position) or easier to reach (low position) and also if it feels firm or soft. It normally takes a few months to see all the changes in your cervix during your cycle and notice a pattern.
–Tracking your basal body temperature (or BBT)
–Observing changes in your cervical mucus
–Monitoring your physical and emotional symptoms
–Checking the position and shape of your cervixRead more on Fertility Charting