Congratulations on your decision to get pregnant! Trying to conceive (TTC) is an exciting process, but there are some things you should know about ovulation cycles in order to predict your ovulation and maximize your chances of getting pregnant.
Generally, we start counting a menstrual cycle from the first day of your period, so that would be Cycle Day 1 (CD1). For several days your body will be shedding the uterine linings that were built up in the previous cycle in preparation for a possible embryo; since you didn’t yet get pregnant, that lining is now going away in the form of your menstrual flow so you can start fresh.
Once your period stops, one (or more, but usually just one) egg gets primed for release in your ovaries by growing to maturity. At the same time, estrogen levels increase in your body, and a new layer of uterine lining starts developing in preparing for a possible embryo. Once the egg grows big enough, ovulation is triggered through an increase in another hormone called the Lutenizing Hormone. Urine and saliva based ovulation tests can check the level of LH in your urine or saliva in order to monitor whether the LH surge has occurred.
