Ovulation is the phase in the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovary and is made available to be fertilized. Every woman is born with millions of immature eggs that wait to be released, one at a time every month. During ovulation, the egg travels to the fallopian tube where it may meet up with sperm and become fertilized.
Ovulation typically happens on day 15 of the menstrual cycle, but it is not the same for everyone. The menstrual cycle happens between 28 to 32 days, and ovulation usually occurs between days 10 and 19 of the cycle, about 12 to 16 days before the next period. Generally, ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of the period in healthy women.
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There is six days fertile window in the menstrual cycle, the five days leading up to ovulation, through the day of ovulation. In those six days, the best time frame to conceive is during the two or three days before the ovulation and the day of ovulation itself when you are most fertile. Once your egg is released, it is viable for about 12 to 24 hours, after that you can't get pregnant until your next menstrual cycle.
You can use ovulation calculator or fertility calendar to find your most fertile days.
Woman go through various symptoms of ovulation, but they are not able to recognize them. Given below are the common signs of ovulation which could help you to predict when ovulation is likely to occur.
As the time of ovulation comes, the body produces more estrogen which causes cervical mucus to become stretchy and clear like egg white which helps the sperm swim to the egg that is released during ovulation. Cervical mucus changes occur in almost all women, but you have to know what it looks and feels like as it varies from woman to woman. To test for ovulation, insert a clean finger into the vagina and remove some of the mucus and then stretch out the secretion between the thumb and finger. If it is sticky and stretchy or very wet and slippery, then it is a sign that you are in the fertile phase.
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In some woman, a more sensitive sense of smell in the latter half of a normal menstrual cycle can be a sign of ovulation.
Tenderness and sensitivity of breast and nipple can be a sign of ovulation
Very mild pain in the lower abdomen usually on the one side or the other is a sign that you are ovulating.
Brown discharge or spotting is normal during ovulation. It occurs when the follicle that surrounds and protects the oocyte matures, grows and then ruptures, resulting in a small amount of bleeding.
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During ovulation, the cervix becomes higher, softer and more open.