Ovulation pain and egg-white mucus. What does each of them mean?

[schroedingersdodo]

(A bit TMI).

This cycle I've had 3 days of ovulation pain, starting on the 14th day after my period. After that, on the 17th day, the mucus became very, very elastic (more than the previous days).

Does it mean the egg was released in the 14th day? Or on the 17th?

TIA

I think you ovulated on the last day of stretchy mucus so day 17, if it dried up afterwards. If you are temping you would be able to confirm this by a temperature rise after the last day of cm.

I would guess you ovulated on the 17th day or shortly afterwards.

Thanks homeaway, the mucus has cleared afterwards, so it makes sense to think ovulation happened on the 17th. (In this case, what is the ovulation pain? Does it mean my ovary is trying to release the egg?)

I'll keep that in mind next month :)

I have just come on here to ask this exact same question! I also wondered if the egg was released on day 17, how long is the window of fertility open? If, for example, we had sex on day 18, could I get pregnant, or does the egg become redundant if not fertilised on day 17?

I know that I get pains 2-3 days before the window is open... Mucus isn't that notable.

Hi crispface, I've read in one article that the eggs last 12 to 48 hours, but most places say it lasts for 24 hours, which I think is a reasonable average.

I'd say there is a chance to get pregnant on the 18th, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along and give you a better answer.

Sorry, coldcuppa, what does "window" mean, exactly?

thats great, thanks schroedinger...

but yes, why do we get ovulation pains if the egg isnt actually being released? I'd be interested to know too, as mine are much strongerthan any perod pains I get. And my skin is worse too....very odd.

According to the wikipedia, the pain can have different causes, one of them being the growth of follicules inside the ovaries. It makes sense for me, since the pain is in both sides.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mittelschmerz

thanks schroedinger, that's really interesting. Good luck with conception!

Hi. I remember reading that the egg only lasts for about 24 thours but the sperm can live for about a week. With this in mind, it's best to aim for before ovulation. (Especially if you'd like a girl)

Hi crispface, thanks, and good luck to you too!

mummyloveslucy, that's the plan for next month. Every day until I start feeling the pains. Does it sound reasonable? ;)

Yes, and a day or so after just to be on the safe side and give you equal chance of having a boy. (If you believe all that) My mum is convinced and she's a midwife.

Waztching this with interest as it is kind of answering a fedw questions i have - sorry to hijack but if you have the thick egg white mucas do you usually get that the actual day you ovulate - i was under the impression you got it 1/2 days before ovulating?

I normally have it for 3-4 days, and i think further up there ^^ someone said that you then ovulate at the end of that time.

Mummyloveslucy, the plan is precisely to try for a girl (I forgot to mention that), as we already have a boy. Sometimes I just feel like going for it everyday to avoid months and months of trying, but will try to hold my horses, at least for next month :)

Any other tips for a girl?

Steben, from what I've read you have a few days with the mucus, and then in the last day, when it gets thicker and more elastic, it's the day you're ovulating. The egg lasts for about 24 hours, but the sperm lasts for much longer, so any day you have the mucus is a good day to try! (I'm no expert, so I may be wrong! :)

Thanks, we are hoping to try for a boy as have dd - dont mind either as long as healthy of course but if we could tip the odds.....