There are many factors that might have you considering alternative insemination, and using a sperm donor to help you in start (or expand) your family.

If you’re thinking about sperm donation, here’s what you should know

Your primary care provider (PCP) will be able to give you a fertility evaluation, and this will help you decide whether using donor sperm, or other reproductive assistance, is right for you. During this appointment, you’ll be asked to provide information about your lifestyle, but don’t worry, this isn’t a test. You won’t “fail” the exam if you admit to being a couch potato every once in a while, and it’s important to be honest if you want a care plan that’s specific to your family’s health and needs.

Choosing sperm

After meeting with your PCP, your mind may shift to figuring out the type of sperm you’d like to use. “Known” sperm (the sperm of someone you know) and anonymous sperm are the two options you’ll find. Both can be the right choice, but each has different emotional and legal considerations that go with them, so take your time with this decision.

Remember, all donations (anonymous or not) are screened for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as any evidence of genetic disorders. In the case of anonymous donation, the sperm is usually frozen and kept for 6 months after it is deposited, before it is then re-tested and given to patients.

In addition to deciding whose sperm to use, there is also the matter of what form of sperm you’re going to use. As with insemination procedures, there are few different options that are available:

• ICI-ready sperm: Semen in this category is used for intracervical insemination. This process is probably the closest to the movie and TV representations of sperm donation. These specimens are not “prepared” or altered before they are frozen (but of course they go through the same thorough screening process). Often, this sperm is injected into a patient at a clinic or doctor’s office, but this type of sperm can also be used for private home insemination. ICI is the least invasive form of alternative insemination, and has success rates of anywhere from 10% to 18% (tracking your cycle can help give you the best odds).
• IUI-prepared sperm: These samples are prepared for intrauterine insemination. The seminal fluid is removed or, “washed” from the donor’s semen to isolate sperm, and all dead swimmers are removed before the sample is frozen. This option is more expensive  than ICI sperm because of the process the semen goes through, and because by eliminating seminal fluid and dead sperm, there is a better chance of fertilization.The IUI procedure is also a little more invasive than ICI because the sperm is directly inserted into the uterus rather than the cervix. This process is always performed in office, and has a success rate of 18% to 30%.
• IVF-prepared sperm: This is the cheapest form of prepared sperm, but it isn’t offered by every sperm bank. These samples have a lower sperm count than ICI or IUI prepared sperm. This is because it is believed that less sperm is needed to conceive through IVF, and that saves you some money. But despite saving a couple of bucks on sperm, IVF is one of the most expensive options for alternative insemination. This process involves taking already fertilized embryos and inserting them into a uterus. And again, this increases the success rates to 13% to 41%.

The varying success rates within methods are due to a lot of situational factors including medication, health, age, and lifestyle.

Because the cost of donor insemination can range from $300 to $4,000 depending on what sperm is used, and an average cost of $12,000 per IVF cycle, be sure to ask your provider how many vials of sperm you’ll need!

Preparation

Sometimes people are prescribed medication to help prepare the body by encouraging fertilization. Every case is different, but many medications prescribed in these situations are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) treatments. FSH is a naturally occurring hormone in your body that helps mature an egg living in the ovaries, while also causing a follicle to grow around that egg as it continues to mature before ovulation. The medications prescribed by healthcare providers encourage this process in the same way.

The day of

Traditionally ICI, IUI, and IVF are all outpatient procedures. IVF can be a little different because the process may involve two outpatient procedures. In those cases, there is a standard egg retrieval and a seperate embryo transfer performed after the eggs have been fertilized. Though all of these procedures may be a little different, a benefit of all three options is that once the insemination process is over, you’ll be able to resume your day as normal.

After insemination

After these outpatient procedures, you’ve made it! And despite popular belief, there’s no need to lay on your back with your legs in the air. You may be asked to lay down or relax for a while, but your legs won’t be airborne, and this downtime could help you process your excitement or calm your nerves. After insemination, you may experience some mild cramping or bloating. This is normal, and shouldn’t be too intense. Then, you may be able to take a pregnancy test as soon as two weeks after insemination! On the other hand, some healthcare providers may suggest waiting a longer period of time. Waiting a little longer will be hard, but if you can do it, you’ll get a more accurate reading on whether or not the insemination was successful.

The bottom line

Alternative insemination is a procedure without many physical risks, and is a great option for people looking to expand their families. Because there are varying success rates to each procedure, your PCP can offer a great deal of guidance and support when making this decision. Be sure to keep all of your personal needs in mind, and take everything at your own pace.

Sources

• Office Andrology. Illustrated Edition. Battaglia, David E. and Patton, Phillip E.. Human Press. 2010. Web. https://books.google.com/books?id=WMazHT_VXrcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Office+Andrology&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh9tXSqJfcAhVDn-AKHZDTCcYQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=Office%20Andrology&f=false
• “Single Cycle IVF Cost Details – Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago.” Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. 2017. https://www.advancedfertility.com/ivfprice.htm
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Female Infertility”. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. March 8, 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354313
• Seattle Sperm Bank Staff. “Demystifying IUI, ICI, IVI, and IVF”. Seattle Sperm Bank. Seattle Sperm Bank. 2015. https://www.seattlespermbank.com/demystifying-iui-ici-ivi-and-ivf/
• Seattle Sperm Bank Staff. “How to Inseminate at Home Using Donor Sperm.” Seattle Sperm Bank. Seattle Sperm Bank. 2015. https://www.seattlespermbank.com/how-to-inseminate-at-home-using-donor-sperm/
• Pacific Fertility Center Staff. “Donor Sperm.” Pacific Fertility Center. Pacific Fertility Center. 2018. https://www.pacificfertilitycenter.com/treatment-care/donor-sperm
• “In Vitro Insemination: IVF”. American Pregnancy Association. American Pregnancy Association. 2018. http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/in-vitro-fertilization/
• “Artificial Insemination (Intrauterine Insemination, IUI)”. University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. 2018. https://www.uwhealth.org/infertility/intrauterine-insemination-iui/26136

Are you pregnant or is your period just late? Here’s how to tell

Learn more about actual pregnancy symptoms before you start getting concerned.

The science behind symptoms

Pregnant or not, your body starts releasing progesterone after you ovulate. This hormone keeps getting released and is at its highest point around five to seven days after ovulation. If a woman is pregnant, her body continues to produce progesterone in high amounts to help sustain the pregnancy. If she’s not pregnant, her progesterone levels decrease, and she’ll start her menstrual period.

Thanks also to progesterone, the symptoms of early pregnancy and your period are nearly identical. Cramps, fatigue, dizziness, breast tenderness – all early signs of pregnancy, but also possible signs of your period coming.

What about light spotting a week after ovulation? It could indicate implantation bleeding, but most women don’t experience this symptom and spotting can happen for other reasons.

What about nausea? This symptom is typically attributed to hCG, the pregnancy hormone, but it can be caused by other things, too (including PMS).

In the weeks between ovulation and a pregnancy test, many women “symptom spot”; that is, they take note of certain physical symptoms and think that they are definitely signs of early pregnancy. Is symptom spotting so wrong? Absolutely not, and it can even be kind of fun, as long as you know that only a blood test can tell you for sure if you’re pregnant.

Is there anything I can look for?

Probably the most reliable physical symptom of early pregnancy is a missed period. Noticing that your breasts are getting increasingly sore, or experiencing symptoms that you don’t usually get around the time of your period, are also signs that you could be pregnant. But again, a blood test will be the best way to know for sure.

Final thoughts: things to keep in mind

The bottom line is that without a blood test, it’s nearly impossible to know for sure whether you’re pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so it’s really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.

If you’re paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel – does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms.

Finally, make sure you’ve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether it’s sooner or later, when you get that BFP, you’ll be glad you did!

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.
• Lori A Bastian, Haywood Brown. “Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of early pregnancy.” UptoDate. UptoDate Inc., Jul 2017. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-early-pregnancy?source=search_result&search=waiting%20for%20pregnancy%20test&selectedTitle=1~150.
• “Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.” ACOG. FAQ126 from the American College of Obstetricans and Gynecologists, Dec 2015. Web. Accessed 8/3/17. Available at https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Morning-Sickness-Nausea-and-Vomiting-of-Pregnancy.

No period, not pregnant: What does it mean?

The rollercoaster of emotions that come with taking a pregnancy test is often stressful, but don’t give up just yet. Here’s what it means to have no period for a while and still not be pregnant.

Reasons why a test could be wrong

Here are a couple reasons why you may have received a false negative.

• Taken before the first missed period: Pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, a hormone that the body starts to make when an egg has been fertilized. Because the tests look for the presence of this hormone, it is possible that they miss the hormone in the very early stages of pregnancy, mainly in the days leading up to the first missed period. For the most accurate readings, it’s best to wait until at least the missed period, if not a few days after.
• Fluids diluting urine: Yes, you should still be drinking lots of water! But taking a pregnancy test later in the day can sometimes mean that urine is diluted and hCG is more difficult for the test to detect. The hormone levels are highest in the morning too, so for the most accurate results try to take the test as early in the day as possible, preferably right after you wake up.
• Test directions not followed correctly: We don’t mean to suggest that you would miss a step . . . but could you have missed a step? Some tests require waiting a specific amount of time before reading the results. Pregnancy tests also have an expiration date, so we recommend buying new ones as opposed to using old ones that could be in your house.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, it’s always a good idea to read and closely follow the directions on home pregnancy tests, even if you consider yourself a pro by now. There’s also always the possibility that the negative test is accurate, and your period is simply a few days late. Home pregnancy tests are great, but after a positive result, it’s still important to visit your healthcare provider for a blood test to confirm.

Sources

• “Pregnancy test.” MedlinePlus. US National Library of Medicine, Oct 4 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.

How to time your pregnancy test properly

Here’s what you should know about this timing – and the science behind our recommendations.

First, understand how home pregnancy tests work

In the earliest stages of pregnancy, a fertilized egg will begin to implant in the uterine lining. This happens around four to six days after conception. Once implantation starts, the placenta starts producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone. Home pregnancy tests work by determining if there is hCG present in urine – and, as you might know, home pregnancy tests ask you to pee to a stick to measure this.

Because hCG doesn’t show up until after implantation begins, if you don’t wait a few days to make sure the embryo has had a chance to implant, there’s the chance of getting a false negative – meaning that the pregnancy test reads as a “negative” even though pregnancy has occured. Implantation usually happens six to twelve days after ovulation, so the absolute earliest that you can test for pregnancy is a week after ovulation. For even more accurate results, it’s preferable to wait a few extra days so that levels of hCG can rise to more detectable levels. Waiting a few days after the first day of a missed period usually guarantees the most accurate results from a home pregnancy test.

Utilize Ovia Health to help with pregnancy testing

When it comes to pregnancy test timing, you probably know it’s best to take it at least one or more days after your next period is due. But your menstrual and ovulation cycle can fluctuate every month, meaning certain days of your cycle might change on a monthly basis and make it harder for you to know exactly when it’s time for you to take a pregnancy test. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that nearly 20% of individuals who are pregnant get a false negative, because they’ve miscalculated their period or it arrived later than expected that month.

This is where tracking is helpful. Different ovulation symptoms can suggest that you’re in a certain part of your cycle. For example, in the luteal phase, which is when the egg implants and your body starts making the pregnancy hormone, your body releases progesterone, which can affect your moods, breast tenderness, and cervical mucus. Spotting might happen as a sign of implantation bleeding, too. These kinds of symptoms tell Ovia what phase of your cycle you’re in.

When you log your data consistently, Ovia takes all of the information you provide, like your period dates, cervical fluid consistency, basal body temperature, symptoms, and moods, and uses it to predict when you’re ovulating and when is the best time to take a pregnancy test. If Ovia tells you to test on a day that’s different from what you expected, this could be because of natural fluctuations in your cycle, as well as symptoms that suggest to Ovia that you’re at a different day in your cycle than you previously thought.

Other things to consider

Cycles fluctuate month by month, and it can be difficult to know for sure when one phase of your cycle ends and another begins. And if you’re patiently waiting for some positive news, we know you can’t get it soon enough – so we’re here to help. By consistently logging your symptoms and moods, you’re providing Ovia with important information that will help us predict the best – and most accurate – day for you to take a pregnancy test.

Sources

• “Home use tests: Pregnancy.” FDA. US Food and Drug Administration, Jun 5 2016. Web.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2 2015. Web.
• Connie Matthiessen. “Week 01 to Week 04 of Pregnancy.” HealthDay. HealthDay, Jan 20 2017. Web.

Pregnancy implantation signs and symptoms

Timeline

The first difference is in the timing of the symptoms. Implantation happens any time between about 5-10 days after you ovulate, while PMS usually sets in closer to two weeks after. So if symptoms start and it feels a little early to you for it to be menstruation, it might be a successful implantation.

Cramping

Mild cramping can be a sign of successful implantation, as the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining. These cramps don’t happen in every case, and they’re not, on their own, enough to say for sure that implantation has happened. When they do occur though, they’re different from menstrual cramps in that they only last for short periods of time, rather than continuously like menstrual cramps. The pain they cause also tends to be much more mild than that from menstrual cramps.

Spotting

Implantation bleeding produces a lot less blood than a menstrual period. Instead, it’s more like spotting, and is more likely to range from pinkish to brownish, instead of red like menstrual blood. If you have heavier-than-period bleeding, especially with extreme cramping, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Soreness

Both implantation and PMS can cause soreness in your breasts. The two types of soreness won’t necessarily feel that different from one another, but soreness from a period will usually go away after a few days, whereas soreness from implantation might stick around through your pregnancy. In fact, the elevated presence of progesterone and other hormones during pregnancy can cause several different changes in your breasts. Another change that you might notice around the time of implantation is a darkening of your areolas.

Other signs

There are other signs of implantation that don’t correspond to menstrual symptoms, like nausea and morning sickness, increased urination, and, of course, missing your period. Since everyone’s body is different though, you may not notice some or all of these signs. At-home pregnancy tests can provide a bit more confirmation, though they won’t reach their full accuracy until around your expected period date.

Sources

• “Is It Implantation Bleeding — Or Just My Period?” WhattoExpect. What to Expect, Apr 12 2016. Web.
• Margaret Scott. “Signs Of Successful Implantation: Why It Is Important To Stay Optimistic.” ImplantationSpotting. All About Implantation Bleeding, 2014. Web.

Here are the TTC acronyms you should know about

AF:

Aunt Flow. Your period.

Thanks for the invite, but my Aunt Flow’s in town. I’m gonna go home and treat her to some wine and reruns.

BBT:

Basal Body Temperature. BBT may spike right before ovulation, so many women track it to help them pinpoint their ovulation.

The very first thing I did this morning was grab my thermometer and take my BBT.

BCP:

Birth Control Pills.

In almost no time after I stopped taking BCP, I was pregnant.

BD:

Baby Dance. Sexual intercourse, usually done on the most fertile days of your cycle. (Can also mean baby dust, which is a phrase you use to wish someone good luck.)

My ovulation test is positive, which makes me want to dance – the BD, that is!

BFN/BFP:

Big Fat Negative/Big Fat Positive (on your pregnancy test).

Every time I buy a pregnancy test, I think about how it could be the one to show the BFP.

BOB:

Baby on the Brain!

I’m having a hard time shopping with BOB. All I can think about is tiny socks and pacifiers, which makes it impossible to keep track of my grocery list.

CD:

Cycle Day. A specific day in your menstrual cycle (or fertility treatment cycle). To track it, start by counting from the first day of your last menstrual cycle.

It varies each cycle, but normally I ovulate on CD 13, or 13 days after the first day of my period.

CM or CF:

Cervical Mucus or Cervical Fluid. Changes in cervical fluid indicate that a woman is at different stages of her cycle.

At the most fertile point of each cycle, my CM is clear and super stretchy.

CP:

Chemical pregnancy. A very early miscarriage.

My doctor recommended that I put off trying again until one cycle after my last CP.

DD:

Darling daughter. A daughter you already have.

DH, DD, and I go on vacation next week.

DH:

Dear husband.

I’m 42 and DH is 43.

DPO:

Days Past Ovulation, or Cycle Date Post Ovulation.

By 7DPO of the TWW, I’m already wondering if every little cramp is a sign of pregnancy.

DS:

Darling son.

It’s a challenge to care for DD and DS while also TTC.

ENDO:

Endometriosis. A chronic disease in which tissue that is supposed to grow in the uterus grows outside of it. Millions of women experience this condition and it can affect fertility.

After getting diagnosed with ENDO, I was able to find a huge and supportive online community of other women who had the same condition.

EWCM:

Egg White Cervical Mucus. When your cervical mucus looks like egg whites, it may mean that you’re at your most fertile point.

Nothing is as exciting as seeing EWCM when TTC!

FMU:

First Morning Urine. Most pregnancy tests require that women take them the very first time they pee in the morning. In the morning, urine typically has the highest concentration of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or hCG, an early pregnancy hormone.

I tested with FMU and got a faint BFP.

FP:

Follicular Phase. The phase of the menstrual cycle when follicles mature in the ovary. This phase begins on day 1 of your period, and ends with ovulation.

I’m so excited to try and get pregnant, I just want my FP to be over!

hCG:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. A hormone produced during early pregnancy that helps the baby grow.

I had a positive test, which means there was enough hCG in my urine to detect a pregnancy.

HPT:

Home Pregnancy Test. A pregnancy test that you can take at home. This morning my HPT showed a BFP – but I’m going to my doctor’s to take a blood test to confirm.

IUI:

Intrauterine Insemination. A specific kind of fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus during ovulation.

After 2 years of TTC, we’ve decided to try IUI.

IVF:

In Vitro Fertilization. A procedure in which an egg is fertilized in a lab and then implanted.

We went through several rounds of IVF before getting a BFP.

LMP:

Last Menstrual Period. The first day of your last period.

I started my LMP on June 6th.

LPD:

Luteal Phase Defect. If the corpus luteum didn’t form properly, a luteal phase defect may occur, causing a short luteal phase. This can make it hard for a woman to get pregnant.

I’ve been really accurate with my charting, because I suspect I might have LPD and I want to have a lot of information to show my provider.

LSC:

Low Sperm Count. Commonly the cause of male infertility.

A semen analysis showed that my partner has an LSC.

M/C:

Miscarriage.

I got my first BFP a year ago, which ended in a really upsetting MC.

MF:

Male Factor Infertility.

To help with the MF issues, we found an infertility counselor who was covered by our insurance.

NTNP:

Not trying for pregnancy, not preventing pregnancy.

I just stopped taking BCP, so I guess that we’re NTNP.

O or OV:

Ovulation.

I O’ed on CD15 and BD on days 13 and 15.

OPK or OPT:

Ovulation Predictor Kit or Ovulation Predictor Test. These tests tell you when your body has a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which indicates the onset of ovulation.

I just got a positive OPK, which means BD as soon as possible!

PCO, PCOS, or PCOD:

Polycystic Ovaries, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Disease. A condition in which a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone are unbalanced. Women with PCOS develop cysts on their ovaries, and the condition can cause infertility.

My doctor thinks I have PCOS, so I’m waiting to hear back about my blood work.

POAS:

Pee On Stick. Taking a pregnancy test (peeing on a stick), usually at home.

I’m 7DPO and it’s so hard to wait to POAS!

RE:

Reproductive Endocrinologist. A type of fertility specialist.

I’m meeting with an RE tomorrow to go over my fertility test results.

SA:

Semen Analysis. This is a test that providers can use to determine the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm.

The results of his SA show he has low sperm count, low motility, and poor morphology.

SO:

 Significant other.

My SO and I have decided that next month we’ll start TTC.

TWW or 2WW: Two Week Wait. The time period between when you ovulate and can take a pregnancy test.

 just started my TWW and I need to find some ways to distract myself!

TTC:

Trying to Conceive.

I haven’t decided who I want to tell that we’re TTC.

U/S:

Ultrasound.

Our first U/S is scheduled for the end of the month.

Should I take an ovulation test?

However, most ovulation predictor kits are not infallible, and there are positives and negatives to their usage. Ovulation kits are best used alongside other fertility trackers, like Ovia, to make sure you have the best shot at conception.

How they work

Ovulation is triggered by a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) about 24-36 hours prior to ovulation. OPKs search for the presence of LH in the urine, allowing you to fairly accurately identify the day of ovulation. They range in price from $5-$50, and come in both digital and simple pee-on-a stick forms.

Benefits

There are many benefits to using an ovulation kit, including convenience, availability, and precision. The kits can be purchased in drug stores and online, and are simple to use. They may be less burdensome than other tracking methods that require daily monitoring throughout the month. In comparison to other methods of monitoring ovulation, ovulation kits are generally considered to be more precise, because they are over 97 percent effective in detecting an LH surge.

Drawbacks

On the other hand, OPKs cannot confirm whether or not you’ve actually ovulated and can be far more expensive than other methods, like cervical fluid, basal body temperature, or Ovia(!). The kits often don’t work when fertility drugs are in your system, or on women over 40 who have increased LH levels due to proximity to menopause. Most importantly, ovulation predictor kits only test LH, leaving other important symptoms such as cervical fluid untested, which means that ovulation tests can only tell you about two of the six total fertile window days.

Read more

• Tracking your ovulation and ovulation tests
• What is anovulation?

Sources

• Miller PB, Soules MR. “The usefulness of a urinary LH kit for ovulation prediction during menstrual cycles of normal women.” Obstetrics & Gynecology. 87(1):13-7. Web. Jan-96.
• Roger W. Harms, M.D. “Should I look for any particular ovulation signs if I’m hoping to conceive?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 2/13/2014. Web.

Why might I have tested negative?

One of the most common reasons women test negatively inaccurately is by taking a pregnancy test too early. You may be able to test as early as 10 days after ovulation, but it usually takes an average of 13-15 days after ovulation and fertilization for a pregnancy test to turn positive. Many women test too early, use a test with low sensitivity, or use the test incorrectly, which can lead to false negatives.

Other causes of false negative pregnancy tests include diluted urine, expired tests, improper testing, and ectopic pregnancy. If you test negative but have not gotten your period, make sure to take multiple tests throughout the week, and consult your healthcare provider with further questions.

Getting proper results

Women who do not use fertility and ovulation trackers often miscalculate the date of their next periods, meaning that it is possible they have not missed their period but simply haven’t started it yet. Knowing exactly if and when you’ve ovulated, using Ovia’s tools, can help you avoid false negatives and make sure you take a pregnancy test at the right time.

How Ovia can help you check and track your cervical position

Ovia’s algorithms help you check and learn when you’re most (and least) fertile by interpreting the data you track – including moods, cervical mucus, temperature, and the position of your cervix – to give you  a daily fertility score. The more you track, the more accurately Ovia can predict when you’re ovulating.

How does cervical position indicate ovulation?

If you’re ovulating, your cervix will feel high up, making it harder to reach, and it’ll feel soft and open. This openness allows any sperm in the area to enter your uterus and potentially fertilize an egg waiting there. In contrast, your cervix will feel low, hard, and closed when you aren’t in the fertile part of your cycle.

Here’s a quick reference guide to how your cervix may feel during different fertility levels and cycle times, including during pregnancy:

Ovulation

• Position: High (hard to reach)
• Firmness/Texture: Soft (like your lips)
• Openness: Open (tip of your finger can rest in the little divot, more circular)

Fertile window (approaching ovulation)

• Position: Medium
• Firmness: Medium (like your chin)
• Openness: Medium

Not fertile (both follicular phase and luteal phase)

• Position: Low
• Firmness: Hard (like the tip of your nose)
• Openness: Closed (like pinching your fingers)

Pregnant

• Position: High
• Firmness: Soft
• Openness: Closed

Track fertility indicators through Ovia with self-tracking devices

Using wearables and self-tracking devices makes your data easier to enter, and as accurate as possible! Wireless devices, like those made by Google Fitbit and Apple Health, allow you to track crucial metrics like your activity, sleep, and blood pressure seamlessly. The best part? It works both ways: you can also pull your Ovia data into your health app to view your health trends!

Note activity

Devices like the Google Fitbit and Apple Watch can accurately count your steps throughout the day, so you don’t have to worry about keeping a running tally! Tracking your activity is a great way to help you make sure you’re getting enough exercise.

Monitor sleep

Ever thought you’d be able to log data to your Ovia account while you’re getting your much-needed nightly Zzz’s? Google Health Connect and Apple Health both track your sleep duration and sleep cycles, letting you know how often (and when) you’re restless each night, letting you make adjustments based off of your data to get more (and more valuable) sleep.

Record blood pressure

Ovia users can sync their data with wearables to gain insights about their health and symptoms. Through Fitbit and Apple Watch, you can measure and log your blood pressure at your own convenience using an additional monitor. Tracking your blood pressure is incredibly important while you are trying to conceive (TTC), as high blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous.