Baby plans: what are the symptoms of successful ovulation?

You want to have a baby and are doing everything you can to increase your chances of getting pregnant. The first thing to do is to take a closer look at how your body, your hormonal system , and your menstrual cycle work.

Your body follows its own little routine every month and sends you very clear signals to tell you exactly where it is. By learning to decode these messages, you can recognize the symptoms of ovulation and learn to identify your fertile window.

It's not witchcraft, but a clever mix of biology and self-love. Let us explain.

Essential reminder about the menstrual cycle and ovulation

Which hormones control the menstrual cycle?

Before getting into the heart of the matter, it is important that you have a good overview of your menstrual cycle .

Each month, your body releases an egg that may or may not be fertilized. If it is not, it is expelled during menstruation.

Contrary to popular belief, women are not fertile throughout the month but only during the few days that correspond to the fertile window (although there are sometimes surprises).

This entire menstrual choreography is directed by 4 hormones: 2 master hormones produced by the brain (FSH and LH) and 2 executor hormones produced by the ovaries (estrogens and progesterone).

• FSH makes the ovaries work so that a follicle matures and produces an egg.

• LH enables the dominant follicle to release the egg into the fallopian tube.

• Estrogens act primarily during the pre-ovulatory period and up until ovulation.

• Once ovulation is complete, the corpus luteum that contained the egg secretes progesterone.

A menstrual cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days , with an average of 28 days ( Quebec National Institute of Public Health ). It's often said that ovulation occurs precisely in the middle of the cycle (day 14), but this isn't always the case. It's therefore best to learn to recognize your body's signals .

The 4 phases of the menstrual cycle: knowing when you ovulate

Your menstrual cycle is made up of 4 phases, some more pleasant to experience than others:

1. Menstruation (2 to 8 days)

The first day of your period is often considered the start of your cycle. During this time, progesterone is the hormone in play: remember, this is the hormone that works when an egg is released. Since there isn't enough estrogen to maintain the uterine lining, it is naturally reabsorbed and shed as menstruation.

Fun fact : During your period , you lose between 50 and 80 mL of blood, which is the equivalent of an espresso, that's all!

2. The follicular phase (14 to 16 days)

In this second stage, your follicles become activated under the influence of FSH. The most mature follicle will be released as an oocyte . Simultaneously, the uterine lining gradually becomes more flexible, ready to receive a potential embryo should the egg be fertilized.

During this phase, you will likely observe vaginal discharge : this is a sign that your hormones are working overtime! By learning to analyze it, you can more easily identify the beginning of your fertile window .

The follicular phase lasts on average 16 days but it can be shorter in some women (Pubmed, Life-Style and Reproductive Factors Associated with Follicular Phase Length , AM Jukic, CR Weinberg, DD Baird, AJ Wilcox).

3. Ovulation (1 day)

You're there! The follicular phase ends when a dominant follicle (called a Graafian follicle) distinguishes itself and an oocyte is ready to be expelled: this is ovulation.

This period is very short. When a follicle matures , your body releases a massive dose of LH to release the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube. Some women can even feel exactly which ovary is working! Because yes, the ovaries don't all work at the same time. In fact, you can absolutely get pregnant even if you only have one ovary left.

“ Ovulation does not alternate between the two ovaries each month and appears to be random. If one ovary is removed, the remaining ovary releases an egg each month. ” The Menstrual Cycle , Jessica E. McLaughlin, MD, Medical University of South Carolina

Once it reaches the fallopian tube, your egg patiently waits for a valiant sperm to fertilize it… but only for a few hours. The average lifespan of an egg is 18 hours ; sometimes it survives a little longer or a little less.

However, be aware that this doesn't mean you're only fertile for 18 hours a month. While the egg only lives for a day, sperm can survive for up to 5 days , thanks in particular to the protective action of cervical mucus ( thank goodness for cervical mucus!). We'll explain below how to identify your fertile window and recognize the symptoms of ovulation.

4. Post-ovulatory phase (between 11 and 16 days)

The post-ovulatory phase occurs just after ovulation and just before menstruation. During this phase, your cervical mucus is thicker, less stretchy, and less abundant.

If fertilization has not occurred, the endometrium (uterine lining) gradually deteriorates and will be shed during your next period .

If fertilization has occurred, estrogen and progesterone continue to work to promote the implantation of the fertilized egg (zygote) in the uterus.

Recognizing the symptoms of ovulation

Ovulation: body temperature and symptothermal method

Some cycles are longer or shorter. They are influenced by a host of factors: stress, sleep, diet, physical activity, environment… Sometimes, tracking your cycle on an app is not enough: women's bodies follow their own algorithm.

Symptothermal charting is a great tool to help you understand your body's signals and take care of yourself. This technique is based on three elements:

1. Body temperature (thanks to diligent daily reporting)

2. Cervical mucus analysis (opacity and consistency)

3. The position of the cervix ( high, low, open, closed)

Here are the signs that you are in your ovulation phase:

• Cervical mucus is clearer , more stretchy, and especially more abundant. Why? Your body is very well designed, and everything is in place to help you get pregnant. This mucus protects sperm from the acidity of the vagina and gently escorts them to the egg.

• Your cervix is high, soft, open, and moist . Again, everything is in place to facilitate fertilization. Feel free to use your fingers to explore your anatomy during the different phases of your cycle.

• The day after ovulation , your body temperature rises slightly, by 0.3° to 0.5°C. The body maintains this temperature until menstruation. Admittedly, it's a bit of a shame not to notice a temperature change BEFORE ovulation. But if you're diligent, you'll be able to anticipate this symptom after a few months of observation.

The symptothermal method is a reliable technique , recommended for women who want to learn to recognize the symptoms of ovulation and increase their chances of getting pregnant. In fact , 30% of those who tried it were successful!

Is it normal to experience pain during ovulation?

Some women report lower abdominal pain around the time of ovulation , sometimes only on the side of the active ovary. This bloating sensation is often associated with headaches or migraines. If these symptoms are indeed caused by ovulation , they last only a few hours and disappear the next day.

Another symptom of ovulation: in some cycles, you might also notice a little blood in your underwear on the day of ovulation (a very small amount, not like a period). This sometimes happens when a blood vessel ruptures at the moment the egg is released. It's not always the case, but it's a normal symptom that can give you a clue!

If you experience chronic pain outside of your period and the 24-hour ovulation window, don't hesitate to consult a trusted doctor . Furthermore, even for menstrual pain , solutions exist to alleviate it, so take care of yourself.

Taking an ovulation test: what is it for?

If you're planning to have a baby, you may have already tried an ovulation test . These urine tests are available in pharmacies and detect your LH level : remember, this is the hormone that allows the follicle to release the egg into the fallopian tube.

In theory, it's quite nice and easy to use. But in practice, ovulation tests aren't always reliable . In 2019, the French consumer protection agency conducted a thorough examination of urine tests: pregnancy, menopause, and ovulation tests. The result: 4 out of 10 tests had sensitivity issues .

Ovulation tests can give you some guidance if you're completely unsure where you are in your cycle, but we recommend you ask your body!

Your mood during ovulation

Ovulation is THE moment in the cycle when the two sex hormones meet, resulting in a super beneficial effect on your mood. Estrogen boosts your mood, while progesterone provides its relaxing properties.

Generally, on the day of ovulation, you're full of energy, empathetic, and open to others. It's also the time when your libido is at its peak , so take advantage of it! Once again, your body has thought of everything to help you with your baby plans, so don't let the desire fade away.

Ovulation symptoms: how to recognize your fertile window?

You may have realized this while reading this article, but fertility and ovulation are not the same thing!

Ovulation is a fairly rapid process that lasts only a few hours. However, women are fertile for several days each month.

Sperm can survive for up to 5 days. If they are in a favorable environment, that is, in the presence of cervical mucus. It protects them from the acidity of the vagina and guides them to the oocyte to be fertilized.

So, if you had unprotected sex in the days leading up to ovulation , it's possible that a sperm could reach its target just as the egg is ready to be released. And that's pretty great! Don't put pressure on yourself to have sex on the day of ovulation. In fact, your fertile window has been open for a few days already.

You're no longer a mystery to ovulation symptoms . We strongly encourage you to continue exploring the secrets of your female body. There are plenty of ways to get to know yourself better: reading, podcasts , sexuality… Be curious! Feel free to share this article with a friend who might find it helpful, or directly with your partner.