Chart Your Fertility

Before running to the doctor for fertility help, it is very important to give natural fertility a try. There are three main ways that you can monitor your fertility on your own and try to increase your chances of conception. Certainly, if you use these methods for six months to a year, and they don't produce results, then you might want to consult with a professional. You should always give your body a chance to conceive naturally, however, before you look at other options.

Three Natural Fertility Signs

The three main signs of natural fertility include using Basal Body Temperature, Cervical Fluid and Cervical Position. If you use these three methods, along with charting, they can effectively track your cycles. They will let you know when you are ovulating and can help to increase your chances of conceiving.

Basal Body Temperature

Your Basal Body Temperature is the temperature of your body when you aren't active. You should take your temperature every morning, before you even get out of bed and before you've done any activity. The temperature will usually be lower during the first part of the cycle, and will rise slightly on the day of ovulation. It will then stay up until just before your period arrives. If you get pregnant, the temperature will usually stay up past the day when your period would normally have started. By noticing the change in temperature and the slight rise, you can time when the best time to have relations is, and when you are most fertile. A basal thermometer is the best to use, as it registers slight changes.

Cervical Mucus

Right after a period, most women will have no mucus or will be very dry. Then, the mucus will become cloudy and tacky. It will then become clear and slippery just before ovulation. The mucus will also be clear and slippery. This indicates that it's time for you to ovulate and this is the right time to try to get pregnant.

Cervical Position

The third natural indicator of ovulation is the cervical position. Your cervix actually chances its position during your monthly cycle. You should check this each day, and start to do so at the end of your period. It's best to do so at the same time each day. During the beginning of your cycle, and after ovulation, your cervix is in a low position. It will then raise to a higher position just before and during ovulation. If you don't know how to evaluate your cervical position, you can always ask your OB to help you to understand how to check this.

Many people will keep a daily chart of all of these signs. They will mark down what their temperature is, what their mucus looks and feels like, and what the position of their cervix is. They will become more familiar over time with their body changes and will be relatively accurate when deciding when they are ovulating and when they are best primed to have sexual relations for conception.