The Big O
Tips for Predicting Ovulation

Ready to have a baby? You may be mentally ready, but you need to key in on your body. Knowing when you are ovulating is a key factor in determining when your body is ready to conceive. There are many methods out there, from basal body temperature charting to using an over the counter ovulation predictor kit — where do you begin?

Generally, you will ovulate 14 days before your next period and a normal menstrual cycle will last between 23 and 35 days. (If you experience non-typical cycles, you might want to consult with your Gyno.) Women’s bodies vary from month to month and as such, each cycle can be different. Here’s the skinny: his sperm can live for two to three days after sexual activity and your egg can only live for 12 to 24 hours after you ovulate. 

So, the best time to have intercourse is one to three days before ovulation. Then, why is predicting ovulation so tough? It’s hard to predict ovulation when your cycle changes every month. Here's a breakdown of the most popular free and over-the-counter methods available to help you predict ovulation. Not every method works for every woman, so you might want to try a few to see which one is best for you.

Charting Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
A woman's body temperature drops slightly at the time of her luteinizing hormone (LH) rise, and then goes up significantly. This elevation in temperature indicates that ovulation has occurred. To chart your BBT, you need a basal body thermometer, available at most drugstores for $10 to $13, and a chart of some sort to track your temperature readings. You must take your temperature first thing every morning, before getting out of bed. You're looking for a slight drop or, more likely, a significant rise. Charting your BBT over a period of a few months will enable you to learn about your cycle so that you're aware of when you're ovulating in subsequent months.
Pros: It's inexpensive and can help women learn about their bodies and their cycle lengths.
Cons: It's hard for many women to remember to take their temperature every morning, and with this method, it's more likely you'll determine when ovulation has already occurred, which is not as useful in terms of getting pregnant.

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