The mysteries of trying to become pregnant do not have to stay cloudy and murky. No longer do women have to take a guess by counting on their fingers of when the best possible time for conception to occur would be. Now women or couples can begin charting fertility so that there is a clear understanding how a woman’s body works. Each month a woman’s body is affected by three things that determine whether conception occurs or if she will have her menses (period).

There are three things that play into charting fertility. Estrogen, progesterone and the position of the uterus all three must come together at the right time in order for ovulation to occur and the sperm reach its intended destination, the egg. Estrogen is a naturally occurring hormone found in all human bodies. Women have higher concentrations of estrogen. It is this hormone that causes breast development and a girl to begin her journey into puberty and have the ability to procreate.

Charting fertility begins with knowing how estrogen affects a woman’s body. It causes the follicles at the end of the Fallopian tubes for the release of the egg from the ovary. It also prepares the mucus lining the uterus in preparation for the implantation of the egg and sperm when they come together. A woman watches the difference in her discharge each day. As the estrogen increases so does the discharge. It is important when charting fertility to pay attention to these subtle changes in texture.

Progesterone follows a predictable pattern as well and is the hormone directly responsible for thickening the uterus wall to be able to withstand the implantation and growth of the fetus. The third change occurring each month is the position of the cervix along with its softness. Fertility charting involves noting the actual position of the cervix. When ovulation occurs the cervix is soft and higher than at other times of the month.

Charting fertility involves not only feminine discharges and cervix positioning but also it shows where her LH level is currently at. Ovulation kits can be used to test the amount of hormone being produced by her body. When the hormone level begins to peak, her egg is about to be released. By carefully documenting this each month, she will know when the optimal time for fertilization can occur.

Different colored lines, notations, kits and temperatures are all part of the process of charting fertility. It can seem time consuming and complicated but once a predictable pattern is set, the woman has a greater understanding of her body and when the best time for fertility is. When all else fails, a doctor can run a series of tests on the couple to determine if there is another problem hindering their ability to become pregnant.