12/04/2010 by admin.

Ovulation predictor methods are many, and need not be expensive or complex for anyone with a regular cycle

Considering the last 14 days of a menstrual cycle is fixed in most women , ovulation will occur on day 14 in a 28 day cycle and day 18 in a 32 day cycle. Great if you one of the lucky ones who has  a very regular cycle, that is the same length each month.

For the rest of us with more erratic cycles the reliable prediction of the timing for ovulation gets a little more complex, so here is a breakdown of the common methods of ovulation prediction:

Cervical mucous becomes more stringy and will form ribons when opposed fingers are extended. This method is great until you have had sex in the preceeding 24 hrs and mix sperm into the equation !

BBT or basal body temperature measurment, basically get an accurate thermometer are record your temperature at a set time every morning before doing anything else. Detects a rise of 0.3 degrees centigrade at ovulation. Contrary to popular misconception you do not need a 4 decimel place thermometer and it does not have to be farenheit. What you do need is a regular regime and set waking time, so its out of the question for shift workers or the less well organised of you out there who’s days wont give up the 2 minutes you have to lie in bed with a stick in your mouth.

Urine ovulation predictors. Dip test you dip in wee and tell you when you have a surge in the hormone which makes you ovulate. Expect to use 7-10 per month especially if you are irregular or have a long cycle. Buy dip ovulation test strips as they are just as accurate as digital or mid stream test and a lot cheaperas well as being more eco-friendly (less packaging) . Only go for the very low level, higher sensitivity ovulation tests if you do not get positive results with the standard sensitivity tests. Stick with a brand if it works (there are multiple sensivities on sale and comparing results is not possible) These tests give 24-36 hrs advance notice of ovulation.

Ovulation predictor miscroscopes are simple mini microscopes which show the crystal of salt which form in drying saliva when oestrogen levels are high which occur with ovulation. Can be used time and time again, so are cheap & eco-friendly if you end up testing for a long time. Look for models with replacable batteries. Don’t expect to see anything for the rest of the cycle, it takes 2-3 cycles to get confident in using these, so best to start off using while also using another method. They are 99% accurate when combined with BBT. Can also be used in dogs and cats, so popular with pet breaders, no reason why they could not be used in pigs, horses and cattle for insemination assessment, so come on you farmers !

Ovulation predictor didn’t work ~ Don’t panic  99% is just that, but not every cycle is ovulatory either, so re-try next month. If you get no positive indicators over 3 consecutive cycles change to another method or seek advice from your doctor. Up to 1 in 4 cycles can miss ovulation, and this increases with age and is a normal physiological finding.

Click here for more info on ovulation predictors

Posted in Signs of Ovulation, Fertile Time, Basal Body Temperature, Ovulation Kits, Fertility Tips, Ovulation Predictors, Ovulation Test Strips, Discount ovulation tests, Cervical Mucus, Ovulation, Ovulation Tests, Fertility Advice, Natural Fertility Methods, Ovulation Prediction, Ovulation Microscopes, LH Tests, LH Surge, Fertility Tests | Print | 2 Comments »

30/03/2009 by admin.

Pre-Seed is a sperm friendly lubricant designed for couples who are trying to conceive.

When Pre-Seed is inserted deep in to the vagina (using the vaginal applicators) it works in the following ways to aid conception:

• Pre-Seed does not harm sperm ie it is sperm friendly
• it is ph balanced to be sperm friendly (similar to cervical mucus)
• sperm can swim freely in PreSeed ( unlike some other popular lubricants which impede sperm)
• its consistency is similar to cervical mucus

Click here for more information about Pre-Seed

Posted in Sperm Motility, Sperm, Cervical Mucus, Pre-Seed Lubricant | Print | 1 Comment »

26/03/2009 by admin.

Fertile cervical mucus it seems is very important when trying to conceive. 

I always knew the appearance of the fertile cervical mucus (CM) signified the fertile time of day but until I watched The Great Sperm Race the other night, I had not realised just how important it was in aiding the sperm in entering  the cervix.

It sees the sperm need the fertile CM in order to be able to swim up into the cervix. Fertile cervical mucus is clear, slippery and often described as being like raw egg white in consistency and appearance.

The fertile cervical mucus (CM) helps the sperm in several ways:

• it actually helps the sperm to pass through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus (shown as being like a ladder in the show)
• it provides nutrients for the sperm
• the sperm can move through the fertile cervical mucus more easily than they can move through the non fertile mucus
• it helps alter the ph of the vagina in favour of the sperm (if the ph in the vagina is too acidic it is not sperm friendly)

When you have this fertile cervical mucus it means that this is your most fertile time of the month.

This fertile mucus is produced by the cervix at and around the time of ovulation, and not at any other time of the month. For hundreds or maybe even thousands of years women have used this sign as a natural sign of fertility.

Many women are really good at spotting when they have this fertile mucus, for others it can be more tricky.

I am fantastic at spotting it when we are having sex using a condom. However when we are having unprotected sex (ie when we are trying to conceive) I find it much harder, as the fresh sperm also has a  similar apperance to my fertile mucus, and thus makes it harder for me to spot the change in my cervical mucus.

I am very lucky in that I have plenty of cervical mucus but what do you do if you have very little cervical mucus ?

That is the subject of a whole new post

Posted in Sperm, Cervical Mucus, Pre-Seed Lubricant | Print | 1 Comment »

04/11/2008 by admin.

I think I’m  ovulating -how can I tell ?

Cervical mucus is clear, sticky & kind of stringy just before ovulation-this is called Spinbarkeit mucus (I think-I will check spelling later) and signifies the most fertile time of the cycle. This slippery  stretchy cervical mucus resembles uncooked egg whites.

It is this clear, wet & stringy ’egg-white type’ cervical  mucus, which helps the sperm move freely from the vagina, through the cervix, and into the uterus in search of an newly released egg. This is the most fertile time in a woman’s cycle.

p.s I looked it up online and it looks like this fertile cervical mucus is called Spinbarkeit mucus although I found a couple of different spellings-not sure which was in right.

Posted in Signs of Ovulation, Fertile Time, Cervical Mucus, Ovulation, Natural Fertility Methods | Print | 1 Comment »

21/10/2008 by admin.

Pre-Seed is a unique sperm friendly personal lubricant developed in the USA for use while trying to conceive. Pre-Seed lubricant was invented by Dr Joanna Ellington who is an internationally recognized scientist with over 75 publications.

Pre-Seed is the first ‘fertility friendly’ intimate moisturiser that mimcs your bodies natural secretions to relieve vaginal dryness while providing anoptimal sperm enviroment

Pre-Seed is the right solution for vaginal dryness when trying to conceive:

• PreSeed is ph balanced to match fertile cervical mucus
• the patented formula does not harm sperm
• contains arabinogalactan for antioxidant support
• an internal application of Pre-Seed coats the vagina and cervix
• Pre-Seed has been clinically tested

Pre-Seed has been mentioned in two fertility books-see below for quotes:

“The bad news is that virtually all lubricants…can kill sperm. Until recently, there really wasn’t a viable option…Luckily, though, a revolutionary new vaginal moisturizer has been developed… It is called Pre~Seed…”
- Toni Weschler in International Bestseller “Taking Charge of Your Fertility”.

“Many women have avoided popular lubricants because they’ve been shown to interfere with normal sperm function. There is at least one product called Pre~Seed, that won’t reduce fertility.”
- Dr. Robert Greene in “Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility”, 2008

Click here for more information on Pre-Seed

Posted in Sperm Motility, Sperm, Cervical Mucus, Pre-Seed Lubricant, Trying to Conceive | Print | 1 Comment »