Ovulation Monitoring

Ovulation Predictor Kits and BBT Charts

Ovulation predictor kits

Midcycle Surge of Hormones LH and FSH

Ovulation monitoring is recommended for Dr. Berger’s patients if they have not become pregnant within 6 months of their tubal reversal surgery. They can be used starting in the cycle after the tubal reversal procedure in to maximize the chances of conception by identifying the fertile time in the menstrual cycle.

The most accurate way for a woman to determine if and when ovulation occurs is to use an ovulation predictor kit (OPK). An OPK indicates when ovulation is about to happen by detecting the midcycle surge of the hormone LH (luteinizing hormone). The high level of LH stimulates the release of a mature egg from the dominant ovarian follicle. Two reliable ovulation predictor kits are Clear Plan Easy and First Response.

Basal body temperature charts

Biphasic Basal Body Temperature Chart

Another method to monitor ovulation is recording a basal body temperature (BBT) chart. Basal body temperature is the temperature upon waking up. To record an accurate BBT measurment, one's temperature should be recorded using a BBT thermometer upon waking and before getting out of bed. The temperature measurements are plotted on a graph according to the day of the menstrual cycle counting the first day of menstruation as cycle day 1.

In an average 28 day menstrual cycle, from day 1 through days 12 to 14 a woman's BBT is usually between 97.2 and 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit. From ovulation (shown at the purple bar in the graph) to the onset of the next menstrual period, the BBT increases over this baseline. A BBT chart with two distinct phases - a lower temperature phase (before ovulation) followed by a higher temperature phase (after ovulation) - shows a biphasic pattern. This is easy to recognize by placing a ruler or a sheet of paper over the chart to cover up the lower temperature readings during the first two weeks. The higher readings after ovulation will still be visible if the pattern is biphasic.

Trying for tubal reversal baby #3 with use of an ovulation predictor kit (opk).

"I had twins after becoming pregnant just one cycle after my tubal reversal. Now after their first birthday, my husband John and I are trying to have one more baby and I just received my first positive opk."
Read More

The upward shift in temperature after ovulation results from a change in hormone levels. Estrogen, the predominant hormone before ovulation, lowers body temperature. Progesterone, the predominant hormone after ovulation, raises body temperature. If a BBT chart does not show a biphasic pattern, it is unlikely that ovulation is occurring. In this case, ovulation inducing medications such as Clomid are usually recommended. A BBT chart showing a rise in temperature that lasts less than twelve days suggest the the diagnosis of luteal phase deficiency (LPD). Luteal phase deficiency is often treated with progesterone supplements and sometimes with Clomid.

The BBT pattern is useful in retrospect, but it is not helpful in telling in advance when a woman is about to ovulate. The upward shift in basal body temperature becomes apparent only after ovulation. Ovulation predictor kits have the advantage of turning positive just before ovulation.

More information is available about ovulation predictor kits and basal body temperature on the Tubal Reversal web site.

Female Reproductive System

Uterus - uterine anatomy and menstrual cycle
Fallopian Tubes - tubal anatomy and functions
Fallopian Tube Length - Fallopian tube length from the Tubal Reversal Message Board
Ovaries and Ovulation - ovulation requires egg maturation and release from the ovary
Ovulation monitoring - ovulation predictor kits and basal body temperature charts
Cycle Day 3 FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone and when should it be tested
Early Pregnancy Signs - and When They Occur

More about Ovulation

Special Report

Answers to seven important questions to find out if tubal reversal is right for you.

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http://www.tubal-reversal.net/ovulation-monitoring.htm was last modified on December 1st, 2008 18:15:01

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