Conceiving naturally, without any treatment is one of the most desirable aspects of the journey of becoming parents for many. Predicting ovulation can definitely make the whole process easier. There are several methods to predict ovulation accurately.

1) Calendar Method

The most probable time of ovulation is in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Calculate the most probable day of ovulation by counting back 14 days from the next expected period date. Start trying for pregnancy 4 days prior and 4 days after this date. Trying on alternate days during this fertile period is good enough.

To make the calculation simpler, trying on alternate days from day 10 to 18 gives reasonable chances of pregnancy even if your cycle length is shorter or longer.

2) Cervical Mucus

Around your ovulation time, the cervical mucus becomes watery, plenty and can be drawn into long threads. Your fertile period begins once this is seen. After ovulation the cervical mucus becomes thick and breaks off, it can no longer be drawn into long threads. Your fertile period can be considered to have ended when this is seen.

3) Basal body temperature

After ovulation, the levels of the hormone called Progesterone rise in a woman's body. Progesterone causes a rise in the body temperature by 0.4 to 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit in the second half of the menstrual cycle in a female who has ovulated. This rise starts 2 to 3 days after ovulation. This rise is sustained if pregnancy happens. The body temperature falls to baseline just before the next period in an event of no pregnancy.

The most fertile days are the 7 days prior to the rise in temperature.

4) Ovulation detection kit or LH kit

LH or Luteinising hormone is responsible for ovulation. The levels of this hormone rise to the peak 24 to 48 hours before ovulation. This rise can be detected in urine using ovulation detection kits.

The most fertile days are the 2 days after the ovulation detection kit tests positive.

5) Follicular monitoring by ultrasound scan

Transvaginal ultrasounds can be done serially to monitor the growth of the egg, to predict and confirm ovulation.