What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the process whereby a mature egg/ovum is released from the ovary of a woman during the reproductive cycle.

Ovulation occurs 14 days from the day of the next menstrual/reproductive cycle (14 days from day 1 when the next menses begin).

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovary; fertilization can occur if this egg meets with the sperm in the fallopian tube and result in pregnancy. Once fertilization and subsequent implantation occurs there is increased production of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin hormone (Hcg). The corpus luteum (formed from the follicle that released the egg) secretes progesterone and estrogen to support the pregnancy. Without fertilization the menstruation pathway is stimulated as low progesterone levels is experienced.  It may be important to know when you are ovulating in order to improve chances of conception if you are planning to get pregnant.

This is the period where one is likely to get pregnant if there is sexual intercourse as the egg which has a lifespan of around 24 hours upon release is likely to be released to meet with “Mr Sperm”. The lifespan of the sperm is about three to five days. With this; Fertile period or fertile days is 6 days in any given cycle i.e., the day of ovulation, some days before ovulation and a day after ovulation. The days with the highest probability of conception is 2-3 days from ovulation and the day of ovulation. A study showed the percentage probability of conception to be (27%, 33%, 42%, 20% and 8%) for days -3, -2, -1, 0 and +1 of ovulation respectively. This means that it is not every day in the reproductive cycle that you are likely to get pregnant and this forms the basis for the timed-sexual intercourse advocated for some couples who are trying to conceive; in which case a couple is advised to engage in sexual activity every other day around the time of ovulation. This is another good reason to know your cycle length.

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Other physical signs of ovulation are mid-cycle lower abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, breast soreness, increase in basal body temperature occurs once ovulation has happened and indicates that you ovulated.

There are various ways of diagnosing pregnancy. This can be by laboratory test or by ultrasound. Detection of fetal heart beat by Doppler ultrasound also confirms pregnancy

A blood test carried out on eight to 10 days after ovulation is the earliest confirmatory test for pregnancy. It detects secreted Beta hCG hormone levels in blood which begins to happen after implantation of the embryo in the uterus. Implantation occurs on day 6 after fertilization. The Beta Hcg hormone is produced by the growing embryo. A urine pregnancy test will only turn positive 14 days after ovulation if fertilization occurred. This is around the same time as the time when one misses her periods/menses. Home pregnancy tests usually detect beta Hcg hormone in urine.  A significant amount of beta hcg Hormone needs to be secreted before it is detected in urine. Different home based pregnancy test kits may have different sensitivities to detect the urine Beta Hcg level.

One can only suspect a positive pregnancy based on pregnancy symptoms and upon physical examination but not make a conclusive diagnosis based on history and examination findings. Early pregnancy symptoms include:

• Missed periods where sexual activity has taken place without contraception in place or with inconsistent use of birth control methods. No method is 100% full proof.

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• Urinary symptoms such as increased frequency of urination
• Breast symptoms such as breast soreness and breast enlargement
• General malaise
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Some women will experience mild lower abdominal pains or uterine cramping; constipation; bloating; heartburns; food cravings or aversions; darkening of the skin around the face; nipples and in the abdomen-midline; sleepiness; lightheadedness; mood swings etc.

To know your due date; Go back three months from the Last Normal Menstrual Period month and add 7 to the number of days to get Expected Date of Delivery. For Example; if your Last Normal Menstrual Period was May 3; your Expected Date of Delivery would be Feb 10

Unsure of your Expected due date? Visit your gynecologist as soon as you know that you are pregnant or click here to schedule your appointment with Nyalife Women’s Health Clinic team