10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR OVULATION AND FOLLICULAR TRACKING THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR MARRIAGE FOR GOOD
Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and is available to be fertilized. The lining of the uterus has thickened to prepare for a fertilized egg. If no conception occurs, the uterine lining as well as blood will be shed. The shedding of an unfertilized egg and the uterine wall is the time of menstruation.
Key Facts of Ovulation:
[1] An egg lives 12-24 hours after leaving the ovary
[2] Normally only one egg is released each time of ovulation
[3] Ovulation can be affected by stress, illness or disruption of normal routines
[4] Some women may experience some light blood spotting during ovulation
[5] Implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6-12 days after ovulation
[6] Each woman is born with millions of immature eggs that are awaiting ovulation to begin
[7] A menstrual period can occur even if ovulation has not occurred
[8] Ovulation can occur even if a menstrual period has not occurred
[9] Some women can feel a bit of pain or aching near the ovaries during ovulation called mittelschmerz, which means “middle pain” in German
[10] If an egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates and is absorbed into the uterine lining
A woman’s monthly cycle is measured from the first day of her menstrual period until the first day of her next period. On average, a woman’s cycle normally is between 28-32 days, but some women may have much shorter cycles or much longer ones. Ovulation can be calculated by starting with the day the last menstrual period (LMP) starts or by calculating 12-16 days from the next expected period. Most women ovulate anywhere between Day 11 – Day 21 of their cycle, counting from the first day of the LMP. This is what many refer to as the “fertile time” of a woman’s cycle, because sexual intercourse during this time increases the chance of pregnancy. Ovulation can occur at various times during a cycle, and may occur on a different day each month. It is important to track your cycle; there are tools online to help you do this , such as TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND FOLLICULAR TRACKING [FOLLICULOMETRY]
FOLLICULAR TRACKING [FOLLICULOMETRY]
If you are a woman trying to conceive, one of your biggest challenges in fertility as you grow older is the suitability of your eggs. Egg production can be greatly affected by your age both in quality and in number. By the time you are in your late 30s or early 40s, you will probably have more poor quality eggs available than good quality eggs. The impact of poor quality eggs is reflected in the general decline of pregnancy rates as women age.
One of the first steps a woman should take when making the decision to conceive is to have Follicle (Follicular) Tracking carried out by a doctor or a qualified sonographer. This will help to identify two things; whether or not she is ovulating and, if she is, the scan will additionally pinpoint the exact time when the follicle ruptures and releases the egg. This information enables a couple to time intercourse in order to maximise their chances of conception.
What is Follicle Tracking?
Follicle Tracking involves a series of vaginal ultrasound scans, starting from day 9 to day 20 of your cycle. These scans allow you to observe the follicle(s) developing in your ovary. The scans are performed using a small plastic probe which is inserted in the vagina. The process is relatively painless.
The Process of Follicle Tracking
Initially, a base line scan is carried out to determine the overall health of the reproductive area and to check for any issues that may impede conception such as fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome or ovarian cysts.
During a normal cycle the egg develops within a follicle in the ovary. This follicle is a thin walled structure containing fluid along with the egg attached to its inner membrane. The follicle appears as a circular fluid-filled bubble on the screen and can be seen when it is about 7-8 mm in size. It grows at a rate of about 1-2 mm per day and is ready for ovulation when it measures within the correct range of 17-25 mm in diameter. During the tracking process, the number of developing follicles and their size are measured and charted as well as ovulation being noted if and when it occurs.
In conjunction with assessment of the follicles, the development of the lining of the womb is also recorded during Follicle Tracking. In order for a pregnancy to occur, the uterine lining must be receptive to a fertilised egg in order for the embryo to implant successfully. The Follicle Tracking process measures the appearance, development and thickness of the lining of the womb as the cycle progresses.
How do I know Ovulation has occurred?
Following ovulation, the follicle usually disappears from the scan picture completely or the walls of the follicle become irregular and collapsed. This is the best evidence that ovulation has occurred. Fluid can often be simultaneously detected in the abdomen behind the uterus. This is the follicular fluid that is released when the follicle ruptures.
What else can Follicle Tracking detect?
As well as general issues that may impede pregnancy, which will be identified during the base line scan, there are other problems that Follicle Tracking can detect, including:
- Follicles which do not grow to the correct size before rupturing
- Follicles which do not grow at all
- Follicles which do not rupture at the appropriate time
- The lining of the womb may not have thickened sufficiently to enable implantation of a fertilised egg.
Each of these aspects can be identified using Follicle Tracking, which gives you a much clearer view of what is happening, when it is happening and what, if anything, is going wrong.
How many scans per cycle will I need?
Usually in each cycle there will be between 4 and 6 scans, but this depends on the cycle. You can ovulate any time from day 6 to day 26 of your cycle and the base line scan will help to determine the initial size of the dominant follicle. Following a consultation between you, the sonographer and Karen, the timing of the next scan will be ascertained. As the cycle progresses, a very clear picture will develop of how the follicle is growing and if the lining of the womb is developing in conjunction with the follicle.
How long does the scan take?
Follicle Tracking takes between 5 and 10 minutes to perform. You will receive a written report .
Who should have Follicle Tracking?
There are four main reasons to choose Follicle Tracking:
- If you don’t know when you are ovulating – ovulation can occur from day 6 to day 26 and while ovulation predictor sticks can work accurately for some women, they can also be up to 5 days out.
- If you are not sure you are ovulating at all – this can be very hard to detect without scanning as periods may seem normal.
- If you have had several early miscarriages – Follicle Tracking will be able to assess the womb lining, ensuring it is in the appropriate state to enable implantation to occur.
- If you are on Clomid – this drug is used to induce ovulation, to correct irregular ovulation, to increase egg production and to correct a condition known as luteal phase deficiency, where the lining of the womb does not sustain the pregnancy. Many doctors recommend that women on Clomid are monitored to ensure the ovaries and the lining are both responding normally.
Culled from……… http://www.karencostin.ie/follicletracking.htm
JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX, Ikotun Lagos Nigeria, offer comprehensive infertility screening tests for both couples like Transvaginal Scan for uterine and ovarian functions,Ovulation/follicular tracking, HSG to evaluate the fallopian tubes, blood tests for hormone check, semen analysis etc. We also offer a simple assisted reproductive procedure like INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION [IUI].
For accurate assessment of your fertility situation, contact us at JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX, Ikotun Lagos Nigeria.
For FREE Consultation and FREE Counseling. Also for Quality and Accurate Medical Diagnostic Tests Contact
JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX
JOAS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIX——-WE ARE AN ULTRAMODERN MEDICAL IMAGING CENTER. WE ARE EXPERTS IN ULTRASOUND SCAN SERVICES, 3D/4D COLOUR DOPPLER SCAN SERVICES, X-RAY/RADIOLOGY SERVICES, ECG SERVICES, INFERTILITY SERVICES, HSG SERVICES, LABORATORY SERVICES,BLOOD BANKING SERVICES , DNA SERVICES, AND HEALTH CONSULTANCY/COUNSELLING SERVICES.
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Opposite The Synagogue Church Busstop,
Bolorunpelu, Ikotun, Lagos
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Nigeria.
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