Preparing for Pregnancy | Optimize Ovulation

Understanding ovulation & how to optimize this very important time in the cycle is key to fertility. Ovulation is the event of the egg, carrying treasured DNA, leaves the ovary, moving down the fallopian tubes in hopes of meeting a sperm. 

Even if you’re not TTC, ovulation is a great sign of healthy hormones & vibrancy in health.

Ovulation is one of the cycles a woman’s body goes through that can be a direct reflection of overall health. If the body is not in homeostasis (balance), it possible ovulation may not happen. We want to be healthy & thriving when preparing for pregnancy!

Here are some important details to consider about ovulation. 

Signs of ovulation 

As everybody is different, signs of ovulation may vary person to person. These however, are very common symptoms that occur just around the time of ovulation. If you’re actively TTC and notice these changes, this time in your cycle (and even 3-5 days BEFORE these signs typically arrive) is ideal for intimacy. 

  • Copious cervical mucus that resembles egg white

  • Body temperature changes 

    • This might be a slight drop in body temperature just before ovulation, followed by a more noticeable rise in BBT just following ovulation 

  • Middle pain (Mittelschmerz)

    • Twinge-like sensation in lower pelvis around days of expected ovulation. Some women feel it as a cramp or burning pain. This can be normal and a sign of the egg secreting from the ovary. 

  • Increased libido 

    • Rising hormones can increase libido. A nice perk to the cycle!

How to test for ovulation 

If you don’t already know all the acronyms for fertility care, you’re about to enter the land of acronyms for ovulation assessment! Let’s jump in!

  • Assess CM (cervical mucus), looking for that EWCM (egg white cervical mucus)

    • This can be done by inserting a finger vaginally and giving a little swoop to gather some mucus. If you can pull your fingers away from themselves and the mucus is stringy between fingers, that is a good sign of fertile mucus! Sometimes mucus is noticeable with wiping or as discharge.

  • BBT (basal body temperature)

    • There can be a slight dip in BBT just before ovulation, then a rise in BBT after ovulation when progesterone starts to rise. If you’re tracking cycles, this can be an indication (ideally over 3 months time) of when you expect to ovulate during the month. *this is a post ovulatory confirmation 

    • My recommended tool for this measurement is the TempDrop (link gives you a 10% code!).

  • OPK (ovulation predictor kit)

    • Using an OPK to measure LH (luteinizing hormone) can be a great way to confirm ovulation. LH is the hormone that signals from the brain and tells the ovary to release an egg. Unfortunately, a positive LH doesn’t confirm ovulation. Some women ‘pulse’ their LH, especially women with PCOS or other hormone imbalances. Urine strips test for any rise of LH and can give false positives, so use with care. *this is a post ovulatory confirmation 

  • 7 dpo (day post ovulation) serum progesterone 

    • Serum progesterone 10 ng/ml or above is ideal for fertility. If progesterone is this high in serum during the luteal phase, that is a good suggestion that ovulation happened! This can be a great way to confirm ovulation if you are unsure you’re ovulating. *This is a post ovulatory confirmation but can give insights into future cycle timing. 

How to support ovulation

This part of fertility care is very individualized. First, it is important to know if there are any reasons why ovulation may not be happening, such as: 

  • Imbalanced hormones (testosterone & estrogen, mostly)

  • Nutrient deficiencies 

  • Thyroid imbalances

  • Hyperprolactinemia 

  • Ovarian insufficiency (low ovarian reserves)

  • Structural changes such as adhesions

  • Endometriosis

  • Autoimmune conditions such as: celiac disease or poorly controlled diabetes 

If one of these things (or other items specific to your health) are at the root cause of ovulation issues, start with supporting these issues first.

If those items have been ruled out, there may be additional considerations for supporting ovulation:

  • Eat healthy fats to support hormone production. 

  • Balance blood sugar by eating fat, fiber and protein at every meal. 

  • Moderate stress // keep cortisol calm. Practice deep breathing, yoga, and mindfulness.

  • Do something you LOVE to do, every day. Fill up with vitamin Joy.

  • Go to bed & wake up around the same time each day.

  • Prioritize sleep. Get full spectrum (sunlight) in your eyes upon waking. 

  • Limit toxin exposure 

  • Increase antioxidants intake (colorful fruits & vegetables) 

  • Moderate exercise 

  • Replete nutrients with high quality foods & supplements (as prescribed by your doctor).

  • Avoid inflammatory foods like refined carbs, sugar, alcohol and refined oils. 

Be sure to grab this free resource of 3 simple action steps you can start today to improve your ovulation & fertility.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive and functional approach to your hormones + fertility, you’re in the right place.

Uncovering the root cause of hormone imbalances + optimizing fertility health is the core of my work. If you’re ready for clarity about how best to balance your hormones and prepare for a pregnancy, learn more about my approach + highly successful strategy.

Kelsey Stang