Signs of ovulation

Ovulation occurs when an egg, or ovum,is released from the ovary. To become pregnant, sperm must meet and fertilize an egg and the resulting embryo must implant in the uterine wall. There are signs to look for that indicate ovulation:

✱ A change in cervical mucus from being sparse or thick and opaque to being clear, jellylike, and stringy.

✱ A rise in your temperature (see right). ✱ Mid-cycle or ovulatory bleeding thought to result from the sudden drop in estrogen that occurs at ovulation. ✱ Localized pain. ✱ Swelling of the vulva before ovulation,

especially on the side that you ovulate A change in your basal body temperature can indicate ovulation. Just after ovulation, your temperature rises between 0.5 and 1.6° F (0.3 and 0.9° C). Ovulation kits can be

purchased over the counter from pharmacies and supermarkets. These simple urine tests detect a surge in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH), which occurs just prior to ovulation