So you’re looking for an online ovulation calculator, but aren’t sure which of many hundreds to choose? Don’t worry – while the array of choices may appear to be overwhelming, the process of finding the right website can be both fun and informative. Just keep in mind that you’re looking for something that suits your own personal needs, rather than “the best”.
All ovulation calculators have in common that they ask for several key pieces of information that allow the calculator to provide predictions about when your next ovulation will be. These are generally the first day of your last period, the typical length of your cycle in days, and often, the length of your luteal phase, which represents the days in between ovulation and the your next period). A calculator that incorporates the luteal phase is more likely to provide an accurate estimation of your ovulation and fertility dates than more simple calculators. However, if you don’t know your luteal phase length, don’t worry; it’s helpful but not necessary. When you input this information, the calculator provides dates of ovulation, maximum fertility, and projected due dates. Most sites give these dates for the next six months to one year.
All of these dates should be taken as estimates. They are subject both to monthly variation in your cycle, and the accuracy to which you know the length of your cycle. You can use other techniques to help accurately pinpoint your date of ovulation. Particularly helpful can be tracking your basal body temperature on a daily basis, and monitoring changes in your cervical mucous, moods, and bodily sensations throughout the month. Approximately three months of careful charting and observation are recommended for you to be able to accurately predict the time of ovulation. The more information you have, the more accurately you’ll be able to predict the various phases of your cycle and the more likely you’ll be to get pregnant when you want to.
Choosing an online calculator and support website
Where ovulation calculators differ is in the amount of additional support and information they provide. Running an online search using “ovulation calculator” or “ovulation calendar” will provide you with many more websites than you would ever need to use. To start, look at four or five from the top of the list. Take a few minutes to explore each. Look for information that’s well organized and easy to navigate through; tabs and clearly labeled buttons are usually most helpful. An interactive calendar is important for keeping track of your monthly changes. If the calendar updates automatically from one month to the next, then it can be used in conjunction with an online calculator to keep you updated on your monthly ovulation.
Next, look for website content that’s well-written, clear, and strikes a good balance between use of terms you’re able to read and understand, and being overly technical or full of medical jargon you may find confusing. Naturally this will depend on your own level of technical understanding, but definitely avoid sites that use cutesy terms or simplify information to a most basic level. Often these will not be able to provide you with sufficient accurate and reliable information before, during and after your pregnancy. Alternately, if the information is too complex and you can’t understand it, then you won’t learn anything either! Reading several different websites can help you find one that’s readable, contains sufficient information, isn’t too overly simplistic, and most importantly, that you enjoy reading and using.
Additional information that you might look for in a website can include:
- The significance of each date around ovulation and associated levels of fertility
- Physical signs and symptoms to look for that can help pinpoint ovulation
- The timing of sexual intercourse and its influence on the sex of the embryo
- When a blood or urine pregnancy test will be able to detect a successful pregnancy
- Information regarding development of the embryo and fetus
Photos, diagrams, and tabled information are all good ways of organizing and condensing information to make it easier to digest. You’ll have a lot of new information to be taking in while you’re trying to get pregnant, and once you are successful. You’ll want a site that provides not only good written text, but that also consolidates it into quicker, easier formats. It’s true that “a picture is worth a thousand words” – often a drawing to accompany complex information in the text body can help you to understand more than additional facts can.
Finally, look for a website that will be useful to you throughout your ovulation, pregnancy and postpartum stages. This will be a period over which your body, emotions, and levels of energy will undergo profound changes. You don’t want to have to find a new website every time you need information about a new stage that you’re entering. (On the other hand, be careful not to rely entirely on a single website for all your information needs. Other websites can provide important alternative perspectives and additional information that you might not find at your “favourite” site!). Also, using one website to track your changes throughout this time will provide continuity that enables you to look back later and understand how much change you’ve been through.
Overall, when choosing an online ovulation calculator, look for one on a website that combines a basic calculator with:
- An interactive and easy-to-use calendar that summarizes your daily and monthly cycles
- Detailed information about the significance of the most important days in your cycle
- Additional information on such factors as the timing of intercourse, nutritional and physical health, pregnancy, and postpartum health for both you and your baby
Selecting an online calculator and calendar shouldn’t be overwhelming; remember to have fun, relax, and look for something that suits your own needs and style. There’s no right or wrong choice, just a choice that’s right for you!
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