MyFertilityGuide

The best ovulation predictor is your body. Each phase of the menstrual cycle—menses, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase—are driven by hormones and these hormones manifest themselves physically in women’s bodies through noticeable signs and symptoms. When charted, these signs and symptoms are the best ovulation predictor available.

Fertility Signs

There are only two fertility signs that are absolutely necessary ovulation predictors and these are changes in the cervical fluid and the basal body temperature (BBT). Hormonal surges are often charted as well because so many over-the-counter kits exist to help, but another important ovulation predictor is often overlooked, one that is an excellent ovulation predictor: changes in the cervix.

Cervical Changes

Considered a secondary fertility sign, changes in the cervix can add one more data point to your ovulation chart to help you better pinpoint your most fertile days. Not as obvious as other fertility signs, it’s best to first notice your cervical changes during two definite points in your cycle: when you are sure that you are fertile (i.e. during ovulation) and when you know you are not (i.e. when your BBT rises after ovulation or during menses). With these bases of comparison it will be easier for you to judge the changes in your cervix throughout the cycle.

Characteristics of a Cervix

When ovulation occurs and a woman is fertile, her cervix will exhibit characteristics including:

• High positioning
• Soft
• More open than usual

When ovulation has passed and the luteal phase of the cycle has begun, the woman is no longer fertile, her cervix can be described as:

• Low positioning
• Firm
• More closed

How To Check Your Cervix

It may take a few tries before you’re comfortable checking your cervix, but once you get the hang of it, it is not a difficult process. A few tips:

• Start by washing your hands to avoid infection.
• Don’t worry about checking your cervix during menses (red blood flow).
• Begin charting cervical changes the day after blood flow stops.
• Check once daily, at the same time each day in the same position in order to limit the number of variables.
• Squat.
• Take a deep breath and relax. Don’t tense up.
• Insert two fingers into the vagina until you feel the cervix, just as if you were checking internally for cervical fluid. At the back of your vagina is the cervix, smoother and more solid than the vaginal walls.
• Note whether the cervix is soft or firm, wet or dry, open or closed, high or low.
• Write these down as well as the time of day. These are the cervical changes that are also ovulation predictors.
• NOTE: If there are any palpable bumps, notify your doctor immediately.