Ovulating

[MummyKP]

Ok so I'm just looking for a bit of an overview on being fertile etc. I have a 30 day cycle, with my periods lasting 5-7 days from heavy to light spotting. I'm just looking for some advice really - I know its something like 14 days before your next period is due that you roughly ovulate (I'm not taking that for granted but appreciate that's a rough guide) so when are your fertile days, before or after? I don't know a huge deal about it tbh, but would just like some knowledgable lady to basically explain it to a dumb one! Lol.

 

[spicyorange]

Ok so your cycle begins on day 1 of your period (cd1), ovulation can vary but after you ovulate you have a luteal phase, this varies from person to person but lasts around 14 days and will always be the same legnth for you. You are fertile for around 5 days before you ovulate with the best chance of healthy conception occurring 24hrs before ovulation. The egg lasts around 24-48hrs then that's it for that cycle. The impatient woman guide is a great book to understand some more, it explains different ways you can track fertility (cervical mucus, opk tests, temperature etc). Cm is a good way to tell when your ovulating, it goes like egg white a few days before then dries up when you ovulate. Alternatively sex every other day will get you there!!
Hope that helps.

 

[MummyKP]

Thanks spicy orange that's helpful. What is the luteal phase? It's something I keep reading on here but don't actually know what it is exactly. So if I ovulated on cd16, I'd be fertile from cd11 but most fertile cd cd15 - cd16? I'm going to keep an eye on my cm this month because it's not something I've really noticed before. So EWCM a few days before ovulation? Sorry for all of the questions!