Observing Ovulation

Ovulation is the fertile period in a woman's cycle. It is important to observe ovulation if you are sexually active and attempting conception. It can also be useful to observe if you are avoiding conception and not using other methods of contraception.

By recording your observations on a calendar or chart you will be able to observe the changes for yourself. A couple who are attempting conception could be missing the mark if intercourse is not attempted during the ovulation period.


Mucous testing
One method to observe ovulation is to check cervical mucous. Mucous is released by the cervix during ovulation and undergoes distinct changes during the normal menstrual cycle. These changes are observed by inserting two fingers slightly to the vulva, which is located at the opening of the vagina. Charting the changes will assist you in identifying when you are ovulating.

Cervical mucous changes can be briefly described as:

Dry or lightly moist: 3-5 days of dryness post menstruation. If there is moisture it will dry quickly on your fingers and be clear or slightly white in colour.

Sticky: infertile mucous usually occurs for another 2-3 days. It will have a stickiness to it and holds it's shape when massaged between your fingers. It may form peaks between the fingers. It may also be quite dry or crumble. Colour is clear to white and feels damp or sticky.

Creamy: fertile mucous is increasing in viscosity. It feels creamy and does not easily form the peaks observed in sticky mucous. It is thinner than sticky mucous. It lacks the stretchiness observed in egg white cervical mucous (EWCM). Colour is white to yellow and feels wet.

EWCM: this is the most fertile mucous which assists sperm to travel fast along the cervix whilst also protecting it from the normally acidic conditions of the vagina. Colour is clear and it feels extremely wet.

Not all women experience all of these phases, and each can vary with the length of the menstrual cycle and the quantity of mucous produced. Natural Fertility practitioners may be able to assist you if there are issues with your cervical mucous testing.

The fertile period begins when the mucous changes to creamy and can last until up to three days after the last sign of fertile mucous. Sperm will survive for between three and five days so be aware of this when practicing contraception and avoid unprotected intercourse around these days. If trying to conceive then this is the time you should be focusing on intercourse.


Basal temperature testing
Temperature charting indicates slight variations in basal body temperature that occur at ovulation and may allow for a more accurate observation of ovulation. Some women feel this slight increase as a surge in heat that rises through the body, or abdominal pain. This mid cycle pain is referred to as mittelshmerz which translates to "middle pain", and is the sensation of the ovum being released. It may be felt quite specifically to either side of the abdomen or can be a more generalised sensation.

The best time to take your temperature is on waking before undertaking any activity such as talking, getting out of bed or intercourse.

Once you have observed ovulation, you can better predict your fertile period. the day prior to ovulation is the best day for providing healthier fastest moving sperm to a freshly released ovum. Aim to conceive on this day by referring to your combined charting of cervical mucous and basal temperature.


Call me on 0421 56 99 11 if you need further assistance with fertility management and observing ovulation.

Matthew Ricard does TED

Everybody loves a TED talk don't they? Here's a fab one by Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist monk who was a geneticist and moved in intellectual circles, prior to becoming a popular icon for happiness. If you can't make the time to sit and watch, it's worth playing in the background as you go about your day, just to absorb the message if you can.

image via meme

An oldie

Traffic Hurts Community Heart Health

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as well as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol problems all increase the individuals risk for heart attack.

Stress and strong emotions are other commonly attributed factors, but a review of existing research (meta analysis) published this week investigated the importance and relevance of each risk factor and found that environmental factors contribute a greater portion of risk to the wider population.

image via iwanttobeadoctorshesaid

There were 36 studies which met the authors criteria for analysis to assess population risk factors, which have been cited as important to assessing individual risk factors. The authors considered exposure to certain risk factors when attributing relevance.

Risk factors assessed in this review were:

• cocaine use, 
• eating a heavy meal, 
• two groups of emotions (negative and positive) as well as 
• anger, 
• physical exertion, 
• coffee consumption, 
• marijuana use, 
• sexual activity, 
• respiratory infection,
• traffic exposure and 
• air pollution.

Cocaine was rated the highest risk factor at the individual level, but when looking at broader population, and considering that cocaine use is actually low across the broader population, overall group risk is drastically reduced.

image via anonymousleftie

The highest risk for population was found to be traffic exposure. There are other studies which attribute health problems to traffic exposure which include increases in levels of stress, increased blood pressure, respiratory problems and exposure to heart damaging pollutants but the authors intent is to focus on group risk. By focusing on these seemingly minor risks researchers might be better able to assess overall risk to individuals.

This research may be deemed important as populations are becoming increasingly urbanised and planning of cities and urban areas toward user friendly and more sustainable models becomes increasingly ideal. Environmental pollutants are being further investigated by the same authors.

Song for the Weekend

Happy Friday everyone! I'm having a big weekend of meditation. Enjoy yours and make it restful.

Rice Salad

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 2 cups cooked basmati rice
• 4 cooked corn cobs - remove the kernels*
• 1 green capsicum, quartered, finely diced
• 6 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 stick of celery diced
• 2 large lemons, juiced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 
  
• 1. Place cooked rice in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight
• 2. Remove the kernels from corn & rinse. Place in a large bowl. 
• 3. Add rice, capsicum, onion and celery. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• 4. Combine 1/2 cup lemon juice, oil, and salt and pepper in a screw-top jar. Secure lid and shake well to combine ingredients. Pour dressing over salad. Toss gently to combine before serving.
• * tinned corn can be substituted

Nothing is more powerful than the truth

Honesty empowers you to make decisions for yourself. Strip back all of your delusions of whatever you think you are and look at yourself with love, joy and compassion. See the wonderful person that you are and give yourself an enormous hug.

image via Flickr

Laugh at the adventures you've experienced and the stories you've created - even the saddest ones have a funny aspect to them. Dig deep until you find the funny. Heal yourself as you uncover what you've been holding onto all this time.


Now let go of attachment to your stories. Feel the emotions attached to your story drift away.

image via Flickr

When you learn how to do this with consistency, you'll be able to see others with the same eyes - through the lens of love, joy and compassion.

You empower yourself anytime you trust your instincts enough to make decisions for yourself. By investing in stories that other people tell you, you are undermining your abilities to decide for yourself by allowing others to decide for you.

image via Flickr

Free yourself and base your decisions on your interactions with people. Allow the truth to shine through you and share that light with others.