Ovulation is the process in which the female egg is released from the ovary. Once every month, the ovary of the mature female produces 10-20 eggs. Of these, one egg is released into the uterus through the fallopian tube. This mature egg stays alive only for a short period of 24 hours. During this time, if the egg is fertilized by the sperm, conception occurs. In rare cases, more than one egg is released by the ovary and these get fertilized. This is what produces fraternal twins. The stimulation of more than one egg commonly takes place when the woman takes in medications for disorders in the ovary.

Since ovulation is the ideal period of the menstrual cycle when chances of conception are the highest, women who want to get pregnant need to maximize their chances of ovulation. To do this, it is necessary to know when ovulation takes place. The sperm entering the woman's body can survive for four to five days. So a woman's fertile period starts 4-5 days before ovulation and ends about 30 hours after it. In general terms, ovulation takes place approximately 14 days before the start of the menstrual cycle. The exact date of ovulation varies according to the length of the menstrual cycle in the woman. In a 28-day cycle, ovulation takes place on the 14th day. In a 32 day cycle, ovulation takes place on the 18th day. A more accurate prediction of ovulation is possible through a more scientific method of determining ovulation. Some of the most popular methods of determining ovulation include The Basal Body Temperature (BBT) method, the Sympto-Thermal method and Device method.

There are several ways in which a woman can predict ovulation. Natural methods simply require you to be more aware of your body.

Symptoms of ovulation:

Due to the release of the hormone called progesterone, your basal body temperature rises at the period of ovulation. In order to detect this rise in temperature, it is necessary to take recordings at the same time every morning before you take any food or fluids, and as soon as you are out of bed. Keeping a record for several months will help you detect a pattern in your cycle. Special thermometers call basal thermometers help you to detect this rise in temperature.

Another natural way to predict ovulation is by checking cervical mucus. Cervical mucus is almost nonexistent during the infertile phase, and even the little that it is present is brittle. But as you near the time of your ovulation, cervical mucus becomes thick and begins to resemble egg whites. The volume of secretion increases and this is the best time to conceive.

Checking the position of the cervix is another way of predicting ovulation, though it is more difficult than the other two. At the end of the menstrual cycle, the cervix rests low, feels hard and is closed. The cervix begins to soften as ovulation approaches and reaches a position that is on top of the vagina. During ovulation, the opening of the cervix is wide in order to allow the sperm to enter freely.

Ovulation kits are commercially available and these can be used in the privacy of your home. These are easy to use and quite accurate, though not fool proof.