What is the Connection Between Getting Pregnant and Ovulation?

Getting pregnant and ovulation are connected because during this period a woman is most fertile. Ovulation is the part of the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released. If this egg is encountered by sperm during this time, it can be fertilized. Knowing that getting pregnant and ovulation are closely related, many women who are trying to have babies attempt to determine when this portion of the menstrual cycle arrives.

To comprehend the connection between getting pregnant and ovulation, it is necessary to have an understanding of how a female's menstrual cycle generally operates. To begin with, a person should understand that the ovaries are a pair of organs essential to the proper functioning of a woman's reproductive system. They are important because they release follicles, which are immature eggs.

During ovulation, a woman's body will produce higher levels of two hormones called estrogen and progesterone, which prompt the ovaries into action. The activated ovaries will then release eggs. Most of them will be immature and will eventually die and be passed during the menstrual cycle. A mature egg, however, may be released into the fallopian tubes.

The fallopian tubes are like tunnels that link the ovaries to the uterus. A mature egg will travel through these tunnels, and sperm can also travel through them. During ovulation, cervical mucus undergoes changes, and among other things, it protects sperm and helps it travel. If fertile sperm successfully encounters a mature egg, fertilization can occur, resulting in pregnancy. This is why ovulation is considered the time when a woman is most likely to get pregnant.

Many woman, understanding the connection between getting pregnant and ovulation, often try to determine when they are in the midst of this portion of the menstrual cycle. It generally occurs two weeks before menstruation. A few days may need to be added or subtracted. The body gives several indications that this time has arrived. The changes in cervical mucus is one of them.

The production of cervical mucus usually increases and the color and consistency will likely change during ovulation. A woman can observe these changes using her finger or sometimes by residue in her undergarments. During this time, a woman's body temperature also tends to rise. Some women, however, do not rely solely on indications provided by their bodies. Instead, they use fertility tests that help them predict their ovulation.