Written by Melony Angus - Fertility Awareness Educator, Tempdrop Team
Who of us ever thought the perfectly natural desire of trying for a baby could be so taxing and even heartbreaking. Isn't it supposed to be easy? You have sex, and you fall pregnant. That's what we are all taught, right?
"My trying to conceive journey left me frustrated with myself. I thought I was doing something wrong and doubted myself. I was stressed about my period constantly, never knowing if it was going to show up or not, and when it was late, I would become so depressed because I'd gotten my hopes up." - Elisha.
The reality is though, it's' not always that simple, and here is where Tempdrop and a little bit of extra knowledge can go a long way. Tracking your cycle with Tempdrop will maximize your chances of conceiving sooner and help you to understand your body in a way that gives you more control of your fertility journey.
Identifying Ovulation
The number one key when it comes to conception is identifying ovulation. Ovulation is the event that dictates when fertilization can occur, as well as the success of the menstrual cycle process.
Having a period doesn't necessarily mean we are ovulating. Even if you experience bleeds at regular intervals*, it's not a solid sign your cycles are normal or that ovulation is successful. Tracking your BBT (Basal Body Temperature) with Tempdrop will give you the extra data you need to confirm if, and when, ovulation occurs. After ovulation, temperatures will jump slightly and remain in an elevated range until hormones drop and a new cycle begins. Allow the smart Tempdrop sensor to collect and log your nightly sleeping temperatures (without worrying about waking times or alarm clocks) and then you can watch for this pattern in the accompanying chart to validate ovulation.
Tempdrop confirms ovulation and helps identify the fertile window
Timing
Once released, the egg is viable for 12 to 24 hrs, and sperm can survive within the reproductive tract for up to 5 days with the help of fertile cervical mucus. This means the fertile window is around one week - five days before ovulation, plus the 1-2 days of the ovulation event.
Tempdrop can help identify this window, making sure you can take advantage of your most fertile days. Our app's premium option will give you an estimate of your most likely fertile window at the beginning of the cycle^ and then update that information based on the data entered in real-time.
Once ovulation is confirmed, the fertile window will be closed by the Tempdrop app. From that point, you can accurately start counting the days past ovulation to know when your next period is due, as well as the right time to test for pregnancy. These insights will save you from the disappointment and frustration of trying to guess where you are in your cycle, thinking you are late for your period, and testing too early.
Take the guesswork out of timing with Tempdrop premium features
Knowledge is power
Putting aside the journey to conception, did you know that your menstrual cycle is a window to your inner health and wellbeing? Coming to an intimate understanding of ourselves through our cycles puts us in the driver's seat to advocate for and make the best decisions surrounding our fertility and overall health.
When you join the Tempdrop family, you get more than a sensor and app to collect and log your fertility signs; our resources and community are focused on education and empowerment. So let Tempdrop be your life's companion and help you navigate the journey of conception and beyond.
Click here to access a FREE introductory guide to fertility awareness to learn more.
*A true period that marks the start of a new cycle is bleeding that occurs around two weeks after ovulation. Bleeding at other times is known as intermenstrual bleeding and is not the beginning of a new cycle.
^Fertile window estimate is based on previous cycle stats and only available to those with regular cycles. This feature is part of the optional premium subscription within the app.
