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Doesn’t sound like much of an opening?
So what ovulation symptoms should you look for to time it just right?
Here are the signs of ovulation to look for when you’retrying to conceive.
Signs of ovulation
Here are the most common ovulation symptoms to watch for.
While some women may experience symptoms of ovulation, others do not.
Slight increase in body temperature
During ovulation, yourbasal body temperature(BBT) rises slightly.
You’re most fertile in the two days before your BBT increases.
Changes in cervical mucus
Cervical mucusbecomes clearer and thinner with a slippery consistency similar to that of egg whites.
You might notice the change in consistency in your undies.
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3.
A libido boost
Yoursex drivemay increase two to three days prior to ovulation.
Vulva changes
Your labia, or the outer part of your genitalia, may swell.
Breast tenderness
Fluctuating hormones bring ontender breastsand sore nipples for some women.
Appetite changes
Right before ovulation, your appetite may dip slightly.
Just after ovulation occurs, it may increase a bit.
When does ovulation occur?
As with everything pregnancy-related, there’s a wide range of normal here.
How long does ovulation last?
An egg can be fertilized for between 12 and 24 hours after ovulation.
You may notice symptoms for several days near and on your ovulation day.
There is even some flexibility within this window.
That rate starts to decline in a womans mid-30s and can vary widely, depending on the circumstances.
Of course, aiming tohave sex on the day of ovulationimproves any couples odds of getting pregnant.
And remember: It only takes one sperm to make a baby.
If yourperiods are irregular, you’ll need to be even more alert for other ovulation symptoms.
So does that mean you’ve got the option to actually feel ovulation happening?
For some women, the answer is yes, according to doctors.
You may notice this as a twinge of pain or a series of cramps.
Track your basal body temperature
Your basal body temperature, or BBT, that is.
Your BBT changes throughout your cycle as fluctuations in hormone levels occur.
During the first half of your cycle before ovulation, estrogen dominates.
The BBT increase is not usually detected until 24 hours after ovulation.
At this point, there is a very low chance of pregnancy.
Ovulation predictor kits are more precise.
Thiscervical mucus,which you’ll notice as discharge, carries the sperm to the egg deep inside you.
This egg white cervical mucus is yet another sign of impending ovulation.
Buy an ovulation predictor kit
Don’t want to mess around with mucus?
You don’t have to.
Ovulation predictor kits are a reliable method if you have consistent and predictable periods, says Dr. Styer.
If the menstrual interval is infrequent or unpredictable, it is difficult to know when to begin tracking.
In this circumstance, ovulation predictor kits are unreliable and may not accurately detect ovulation, he adds.
What does ovulation feel like?
Moms explain
Within What to Expect’sTrying to ConceiveCommunity message board, ovulation symptoms are a frequent discussion topic.
Good luck and have fun trying!
An egg can be fertilized for between 12 and 36 hours after ovulation.
