Life is all about control, when it comes to women reproductive health, it is important for each woman to know how their reproductive cycle operates. Once this is understood properly, it is easy to plan for the desired family size and to avoid unwanted pregnancies and also diagnose infertility related issues on time. The woman’s reproductive health is designed to be fertilized a few days every month.
The birth of a wanted child is a great family event and can enhance family stability, it is also a positive factor in the development of the child has he will be showered by love, it however, a child is not planned for, the child can be a cause of major physical and psychological problems for parents and the other siblings; and if the child is a drain to the family resources he will be the first to suffer.
In understanding ovulation chart, we will focus on two methods that have been used with success thought the world:
- The Ogino method
- Basal temperature method.
The Ogino method was developed by Kyusaku Ogino, a Japanese scientist. He studied infertility and developed this method that estimates the fertility period on the menstrual cycle in regard to the length of the woman past cycle.
The basal temperature method relies on the variation of body temperature during the menstrual cycle.
The Ogino method – Ovulating Chart
The following information is important to keep in mind when applying this method:
• To determine the days of evolution one must count the days before the next period( numbering from right to left)
• Fertilization can only occur on the day of ovulation or on the next day, this is because the life-span of an ovum is very short( 24-48 hours)
• Ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the next period, there might be variation of 1 or 2 days before or after, therefore, to be safe, the time of ovulation is placed on the 12th and 16th day before the cycle. These are the 5 days of the highest risk of fertilization and are marked on the graph in the green square.
• It is important to keep in mind the life span of the sperm (48 to 72 hours) and of the ovum, in this regard, we add 3 more days before the 5 days of ovulation for the life of the sperm and 2 days for the life of the ovum after the initial 5 days. These extra days have been marked with yellow squares on the chart.
• In this chart, 2 more days have been added on top of the 10 days already stipulated, i.e one on either end. This is done to add a measure of security to this method
• When these days are transferred onto a chart of a cycle of 28 days, from the chart we can see that, after the days of the period there are two blank squares and at the end of the chart they are seven. These blank squares are a representation of the infertile days.
28 day cycle
The Basal Temperature Method – Ovulating Chart
When the ovum is released, the corpus luteum releases progesterone which raises the basal temperature in a woman body by 2-5/10ths of a degree. The basal temperature method is one of the most effective ways of understanding ovulation. It can do the following:
• Tell when ovulation starts
• Tell problems such as an-ovulation
• Imbalanced hormones
• Thyroid dysfunctions.
Conditions in which the basal temperature can be recorded
• 5th day after the begging of the period.
• In the morning before eating and before getting out of bed
• Everyday at approximately the same hour
• Preferably in the anus or vagina during a minimum of three minutes
Factors that can affect basal temperature
• Sickness
• Sleeping with an open mouth
• Extreme environmental temperatures whether too hot or too cold.
If any of the above variation occurs, it is important to note them on your chart.
Charting the graph
When temperature shifts upward this is an indicator that ovulation has occurred, as the temperature shifts, observe the last six temperatures correctly and then draw a line 1/10 of a degree above the highest of the previous six. This will act as the “cover-line”. Your post ovulation basal temperatures should be above this line during the luteal phase.
If one day you forget to take the temperature readings, don’t worry. Leave the corresponding square blank. Stop the curve on the previous day. Begin it again on the next day when you tae the temperature again.
The following are important
• To correctly interpret the graph, you should compare several cycles this can be your own or with other women.
• To properly understand your own cycle, you should make several consecutive graphs during a six months period or longer.
• Once the temperature has risen, it is important to see how high it rises during the next few days, the initial rise might be a false one.
