Fertility Awareness Method

How To Use Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) More Effectively

September 17, 2017 By fertilityawareness Leave a Comment

Artist: Anya Panchenko

Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)

Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) are an effective and natural way to try to conceive (97% effective). They test for levels of Lutenizing Hormone (LH) in our urine. LH levels rise approximately 24-48 hours prior to ovulation. The pituitary gland produces LH, which stimulates communication through the blood stream and into the ovaries, activating ovulation. It is not possible to ovulate without an LH surge.

This means we should have intercourse during a positive OPK reading, right?

Not necessarily.

The problem with OPKs

A positive OPK tells you to have intercourse today.. that, ‘this is your most fertile time!’ While it is true that our bodies are near ovulation, a full fertile window truly begins a few days before the LH surge (positive OPK). The human body is naturally fertile for nearly 6 days prior to ovulation.

Keep in mind: An LH surge may not be recognized by an OPK, but ovulation could still occur.

Conceiving more effectively

Using Cervical Mucus (CM) to discover your fertile window

Let’s refresh ourselves about the wonderful bodily fluid, cervical mucus. CM is one of the body’s top 3 fertility indicators, alongside with basal body temperature and cervix position. They are each wonderful visual representations of our forever cycling hormones. CM is a sign of the state of our overall well being. Unfortunately society recognizes this fluid as an unhealthy bodily secretion and/or infection.

Every person who carries a womb experiences the beautiful spectrum of CM textures throughout each cycle. With these observations we can discover the beginning and end of each monthly fertile window! The fertile window is usually tracked using a fertility awareness based method of birth control like the cervical mucus method or fertility awareness method (99.6% effective). To time intercourse optimally, understand that sperm can survive for 3-5 days in the alkalinized environment that cervical fluid brings.

Remember

Do not rely exclusively on your OPK results to time intercourse.
Record the textures of your daily cervical mucus flow on a fertility chart.
Sperm should be given the correct amount of time to establish itself in nourishing cervical mucus.

Order an OPK

Clearblue OPK

Keep in mind

OPKs do not confirm ovulation. They are not recommended to use as a sole birth control method.

[Daysy Fertility Monitor] Drug-Free And Effective Birth Control

August 7, 2017 By fertilityawareness Leave a Comment

Artist: Patrick Van der Elst

Hormonal birth control: Research before you try

We’ve learned that hormonal birth control is created with synthetic hormones, solely harming our body’s uptake of nutrients. The absence of these nutrients follow with a halt on our overall mind and body’s functioning. Common side effects like depression, rage, anxiety, hair loss, urinary tract infections, migraines, weight gain, etc. are an indication that this form of birth control is not beneficial to our overall well being and growth.

Natural Birth Control

Charting your cycle using a basal body thermometer and fertility chart allows you to determine your fertile window each month.

For those of you who do not feel that charting is for you, technology has thankfully created fertility monitors! Fertility monitors are designed with an algorithm that automatically calculates and stores your unique cycles. This algorithm determines if you can become fertile on any given day!

The Science of fertility monitors

Ovulation occurs only once in each cycle. If two or more ovulations do occur, they will all take place within 24 hours.
After ovulation, the egg is fertile for 18 hours at the most.
Sperm can remain fertile for a maximum of 5 days, if given the alkalized environment that cervical fluid brings.

..There are only 6 days in every cycle when a woman can get pregnant: Five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation.

Meet Daysy

Image: daysy.me

What Is Daysy?

Daysy understands your body’s basal body temperature (BBT) flow, and will display colored lights to indicate whether you can or cannot become pregnant each day. This device is 99.3% effective to either achieve, or prevent pregnancy with the use of abstinence or barrier methods (ie: condoms or withdrawal) during each fertile window. Fertility monitors are a revelation for those who want to ditch their hormonal contraceptive.

Image: daysy.me

It takes only 30 seconds per day

Every morning, take your daily temperature under your tongue (before getting up to use the restroom, drinking water, talking or cuddling).
Input menstruation when necessary.
Daysy will interpret if you are fertile or not for the next 24 hours.
Plug into phone to sync with the daysyView App (optional).

A green light: Very low chance of pregnancy, you may go unprotected to prevent pregnancy
A red light: Very high chance of pregnancy, use abstinence or a barrier method to prevent pregnancy
A yellow light: Possible chance of conception
Flashing light: Pregnant

Who could benefit from using Daysy?

Those of you who do not desire using hormonal birth control, or have experienced its side effects
Those of you who would like to feel the natural ebb and flow of your body (natural desire, motivation and simply to experience the cyclic nature of the menstrual cycle).

You Will Learn

What happens during each phase of the menstrual cycle
Your flourishing natural opinions and desires
How to pin point health issues
When to be intimate with your sweetheart

Find Daysy on her website!

Keep in Mind

Only one device can be used per person.

The Best Basal Body Thermometer For Charting

July 14, 2017 By fertilityawareness 2 Comments

Choosing Your First Basal Body Thermometer

The Best Basal Body Thermometer for Fertility Charting

Image: Unknown

Choosing which basal body thermometer (BBT) to use when you are first charting can be challenging, so we’ve made it an easy decision!

Below, you’ll find a list of the most favored basal body thermometers used among those practicing fertility awareness based methods (FABMs), where each carry unique features. If you currently track your cycle, this guide will help to decipher if you have the most optimal thermometer for your practice.

There is no such thing as a “better” or “worse” basal body thermometer; this is a completely personal preference meant to fit your lifestyle.

Remember:

Before practicing any fertility awareness based method, it is highly suggested to either read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler for a deep overview, and find a trusting fertility awareness method instructor.

Basal Body Thermometer features to consider

‘Beeping’

Some BBT’s have louder ‘beeps’ than others.

Backlight

Backlights are helpful for those who read their temperature in the dark.

Speed

Some people would like a speedy thermometer, but keep in mind that speedy does not always mean accurate.

Decimal Place

Some thermometers solely read in Celsius (.01), some in Fahrenheit (.1), and some carry the dual option.

Memory

Memory is important for those of you who would choose not to record temperatures immediately on their chart, and would prefer to fall back asleep.

The Most Favored Basal Body Thermometers for fertility charting

Mabis – $9

‘Beep’ – Quiet
Backlight – No
Speed – 30 seconds – 1 minute
Decimal place – 1/100th of a degree
Memory – No
Celsius or Fahrenheit – Fahrenheit

Click Image For Mabis

iProven – $24

‘Beep’ – Quiet
Backlight – No
Speed – 1 minute, or 2 minutes for a more accurate reading
Decimal place – 1/100th of a degree
Memory – Yes
Celsius or Fahrenheit – Fahrenheit

Click Image For iProven

iSnow – $24

‘Beep’ – Medium
Backlight – Yes
Speed – 3 minutes
Decimal place – Option of 1/10th or 1/100th of a degree
Memory – Yes, up to 30 days
Celsius or Fahrenheit – Both

Click Image For iSnow

Glass (No Mercury) BBT

Click Image For Glass

Also be sure to check your local grocery store for a Basal Body Thermometer.

Can I use a fever thermometer?

While basal body thermometers are more sensitive than fever thermometers, you can still use a fever thermometer to take your basal temperature. Be sure to only use one thermometer throughout each month for more accurate readings.

Fertility Monitors

A fertility monitor is essentially a basal body thermometer designed to automatically keep a record of your monthly cycles. This means that when you take your daily basal body temperature, the device will interpret if you are fertile or not.

Leave a comment with the BBT that you personally adore.

The Science Behind Using The Fertility Awareness Method

April 20, 2017 By fertilityawareness Leave a Comment

The Fertility Awareness Method is about becoming aware of the fertile and in-fertile phase of each menstrual cycle.

fertility awareness method of birth control

Artist: Drømsjel

How does Fertility Awareness work?

Simply explained, there are two main hormones that switch “on” in the body at separate times of the month; Estrogen for the first half and Progesterone for the second half.

Your Basal Body Temperature (BBT), Cervical Mucus (CM) and Cervix are each affected by these hormones, giving us the signs we need to practice the Fertility Awareness Method.

You can use the method’s 4 rules to decide whether you would like to try to conceive, abstain, use a barrier method to prevent pregnancy, or simply use the observed signs to follow your Gynecological health. You will not receive any negative side effects by practicing the Fertility Awareness Method.

The science

Estrogen begins to release from the ovaries on Cycle Day 1 (first day of menstruation), lowering BBT and increasing water content in CM as ovulation approaches.

CM is the deciding factor on whether sperm will be able to make it to the egg for fertilization at the time of ovulation (your most fertile time)!

Once ovulation has occurred, Progesterone releases into the body, turning off the Estrogen hormone. This hormone switch spikes up BBT and thickens CM until it is not present any longer, lasting an approximate 12-16 days, until menstruation.

If the egg gets fertilized and you become pregnant, BBT will remain high for more than 18 days.

Conception can only occur during the fertile window
Abstinence, or barrier methods like condoms and withdrawal during the fertile window will prevent from unwanted pregnancy
Engaging in unprotected sex during the fertile window will increase chances of becoming pregnant

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

A Basal Body Thermometer measures the temperature under your tongue immediately after waking up in the morning. It should be taken:

Daily, at the same time every morning, +/- one hour
After 3 consecutive hours of deep sleep
Before getting up out of bed to use the bathroom, communicating, any physical contact, etc.

Keep in mind that viral infections that cause fevers will affect Basal Body Temperature readings.

Cervical Mucus (CM)

Cervical Mucus is a vaginal secretion, commonly known to society as “discharge.” Next time you use the bathroom, check the gusset of your underwear (where your vulva touches). Usually the consistency will flow in a specific pattern over the course of approximately 14 days, but it varies from human to human!

Regularly check the gusset of your underwear throughout each day to observe an accurate quality and quantity of your CM.

How Much Does Fertility Awareness Cost?

A Basal Body Thermometer costs approximately $9 – $30.

The optional, but recommended, Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler costs approximately $20.

What Are The Side Effects?

You will not get any side effects by using the Fertility Awareness Method of birth control.

How Effective Is it?

99.7% Effective with perfect use, .3% Failure rate

76% Effective with typical use, 24% Failure rate

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