• Ovulation is a natural process in which your ovary releases a mature egg 
• It is a phase in a woman’s menstrual cycle 
• Keeping a track of your ovulation cycle can help you identify your most fertile days

Ovulation occurs when your ovary releases a mature egg that travels down to the fallopian tube where it can be fertilised with a sperm. If fertilisation happens, the egg can travel to the uterus and implant itself to develop into a pregnancy. The day of ovulation and 5 days beforehand are considered your fertile window. 

The egg can be fertilised within 12-24 hours after being released while a sperm can live in the reproductive tract for nearly 5 days. 

In an average menstrual cycle of nearly 28 days, ovulation occurs around 14 days before the next cycle. However, most women experience ovulation nearly 4 days before or after the midpoint of their menstrual cycle.

Every woman has a distinct menstrual cycle. Hence, the ovulation period also varies. Nonetheless, you can identify your ovulation based on the following signs and ovulation symptoms. 

• Clear, stretchy and egg-white like discharge 
• Light bleeding 
• Breast tenderness 
• Increased sexual drive 
• Slight discomfort on one side of the abdomen 
• Heightened sense of smell 
• Bloating

Here are some ways to keep a track of your ovulation cycle. 

• Check your basal body temperature – It is your lowest body temperature attained right after resting. It is usually charted in the early morning. You may be ovulating if your basal body temperature falls slightly and elevates again. 
• Ovulation calendar – Ovulation calendars or ovulation calculators are online tools that help you fill in your details manually and record your cycle. 
• Check your symptoms – Notice the changes in your body and symptoms to know if you are ovulating.

Keep the following things in mind while you are trying to conceive. 

• Have sexual intercourse 2-3 days before ovulation 
• Start consuming folic acid routinely 
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and relieve stress 
• Manage your underlying health conditions