Fertility awareness (also called natural family planning or FAM) is a method to check the regular changes in a woman's body as it goes through during a menstrual cycle. This information can help you learn when you are fertile, if and when you ovulate, and when to have intercourse to improve your chances getting pregnant (or not getting pregnant). A woman is usually able to get pregnant for about 5 days each month, the day of ovulation and the 4-5 days before the day of ovulation. On average, ovulation occurs 14 days before the next menstrual period begins. So ovulation would occur on about day 14-15 of a 28-day menstrual cycle, or day 21 of a 35-day cycle. Sperm can live for 4 to 5 days in a woman's reproductive tract, so it is possible to become pregnant if sex occurs up to 4-5 days before ovulation, but yoiur best chances getting pregnant is when you have intercourse the day of ovulation and the 1-2 days prior to that day.

Can The BBT Temperature Curve Determine Pregnancy?

If you haven't had your period 15+ days after ovulation on the BBT temperature curve, then a pregnancy is likely. ... read more »

When Is The First Day of The Menstrual Cycle?

The first day of the menstrual cycle is also the first day of your menstrual period and that is the very first day you observe bright red blood. Brown spotting is not considered a menstrual period. ... read more »

Vaginal Spotting

What does vaginal bleeding shortly before menses mean? ... read more »

Fertility Check-Ups Growing Trend for 20-Something Women

A recent news segment broadcast on Chicago’s local CBS TV station spotlights a growing trend for seemingly healthy women in their 20s: fertility assessments. ... read more »

Menstrual Cycle - Regular or Not

My cycles are 28 and 23 days ... read more »

All Your Questions About Sperm Answered

What are sperms? How long can sperm live? What is a normal sperm count? What is a normal sperm evaluation? What happens with the sperm/ejaculate during intercourse? ... read more »

Intro to Fertility and BBT Charting

Learn how to increase your chances of getting pregnant by finding out exactly when, and if you ovulate. Charting your basal body temperature (BBT) will help you learn more about your fertility and can be a very exciting way to get pregnant. ... read more »

National Infertility Awareness Week

Infertility affects at least 50 million worldwide. ... read more »

Egg-White Cervical Mucus and Fertility

Egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) is stretchy, like raw egg white, and vital to determining your most fertile days. ... read more »

How to Check Your Cervical Mucus

If you want to get pregnant, checking your cervical mucus can help in determining when you are fertile. Here's how to do it! ... read more »

Fertility Awareness Guide: Natural Family Planning

Natural family planning improves your chances of getting pregnant. ... read more »

DHEAS

What are DHEAS? ... read more »

Coverline - What Is It?

How do I determine my coverline? ... read more »

Fertility Awareness and Charting

Natural Fertility Planning (NFP) ... read more »

Anemia Before and During Pregnancy

Anemia is defined as not having enough red blood cells. During pregnancy, blood is usually tested at the first prenatal visit and then again at the beginning of the third trimester. ... read more »

Cycle Day 3 Fertility Testing

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the egg maturation process. High day 3 FSH levels are associated with diminished ovarian reserve. ... read more »

EWCM and Fertility

Are there any studies on Egg-White Cervical Mucus and fertility? ... read more »

What Does it Mean if I Can't Reach My Cervix?

It is often completely normal if you cannot reach or feel the cervix. ... read more »

Irregular Cycles and TTC

Two months ago my cycle was 30 days, now it was 26 days when should we TTC? ... read more »

How Big Should Follicles be on CD 3?

Women normally have thousands of immature follicles in their ovaries. Follicles deveop in the ovaries as they approach ovulation. On CD 3 your follicles really have not started to develop yet and are expected to be immature. ... read more »

Fertility Saliva Ovulation Microscope

With a fertility ovulation saliva microscope you can predict fertility by viewing the visual changes that take place in your saliva throughout your cycle. ... read more »

Cervical Position - How-To

How do I check my cervical position? ... read more »

Sex before or on the day of EWCM?

The reason why it's suggested to make love regularly, two to three times per week, is not just to take the stress out of TTC. Making love frequently will probably get you pregnant faster. ... read more »

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

What is Nautral Family Planning (NFP)? ... read more »

BBT or EWCM?

Which is a more accurate indication of ovulation, basal body temperature (BBT) or egg-white cervical mucus (EWCM)? ... read more »

Early Ovulation

Is early ovulation a problem? ... read more »

Menstrual Period and Getting Pregnant

Can I get pregnant while I have my period? ... read more »

EWCM and Ovulation

EWCM is not a reliable enough indicator to pinpoint the exact day of ovulation. ... read more »

I Had EWCM Egg White Cervical Mucus Twice

It is normal to observe ewcm egg white cervical mucus twice in a menstrual cycle. ... read more »

EWCM Only One Day

I had egg-white cervical mucus (EWCM) for one day, is this the ovulation day? ... read more »

Ovulation After Ectopic Pregnancy

Even with one ovary, you will likely ovulate every month. With two ovaries, ovulation does not usually change from one to the other ovary. Instead it happens at random. ... read more »

Timing of Sex and Ovulation

Timing of intercourse is when you try to make love only within a day or 2 of ovulation. ... read more »

Cervix Soft and High After Ovulation

Am I still fertile if my cervix is soft and high after ovulation? ... read more »

Cervical Fluid

What is normal cervical fluid like? ... read more »

Cervical Fluid and Intercourse Timing

When is the best time to try to conceive (TTC)? ... read more »

Ovulation Predictor Kit Test Days

OPKs or ovulation predictor kits are tests that can be used to help you determine if and when you are ovulating. They work by detecting the level of gluteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. ... read more »

No Periods Without Prometrium

I have no periods without prometrium. How can I get pregnant? ... read more »

Fertility Charting - Who Uses It?

Who uses fertility charting? ... read more »

What is Position of My Cervix In Pregnancy

You cannot diagnose an early pregnancy from the cervical position. ... read more »

Factors That Can Affect Cervical Fluid

What factors can affect cervical fluid? ... read more »

Cervical Mucus - When Most Fertile

When does the cervical mucus indicate high fertility? ... read more »

Semen or Cervical Fluid?

How do I know whether it is semen or cervical fluid? ... read more »

Rise in Temperature

Predicting ovulation ... read more »

Pregnancy After Hysterosalpingogram

Am I more likely to get pregnant? ... read more »

Recording Cervical Fluid When I Am Aroused

How should I record cervical fluid when I am aroused? ... read more »

Temperature After Ovulation

How long should my temperature after ovulation stay up? ... read more »

Pregnancy Related Problems of Older Women

What other medical issues can affect the pregnancies of older women? ... read more »

Cervical Changes During the Day

What should I record cervical changes during the day? ... read more »

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