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FERTILITY LIBRARY

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What is Ovulation

Ovulation is the process in the menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum (also known as an oocyte, female gamete, or casually, an egg) that participates in reproduction. Ovulation also occurs in the estrous cycle of other animals, which differs in many fundamental ways from the menstrual cycle. When the egg has nearly matured, the level of estradiol in the body has increased enough to trigger a sudden release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland. In the average cycle this LH surge starts around cycle day 12 and may last 48 hours. The release of LH matures the egg and weakens the wall of the follicle in the ovary, causing the fully developed follicle to release its secondary oocyte.The secondary oocyte promptly matures into an ootid and then becomes a mature ovum. The mature ovum has a diameter of about 0.2 mm.

Which of the two ovaries—left or right—ovulates appears essentially random; no known left/right co-ordination exists. Occasionally, both ovaries will release an egg; if both eggs are fertilized, the result is fraternal twins.

After being released from the ovary, the egg is swept into the fallopian tube by the fimbria, which is a fringe of tissue at the end of each fallopian tube. After about a day, an unfertilized egg will disintegrate or dissolve in the fallopian tube.

Fertilization by a spermatozoon, when it occurs, usually takes place well inside the fallopian tubes. A fertilized egg immediately begins the process of embryogenesis, or development. The developing embryo takes about three days to reach the uterus and another three days to implant into the endometrium. It has usually reached the blastocyst stage at the time of implantation.

In some women, ovulation features a characteristic pain called mittelschmerz (German term meaning middle pain) that may feel like abdominal cramps. The sudden change in hormones at the time of ovulation sometimes also causes light mid-cycle blood flow.

Fertile Window

The most fertile period (the time with the highest likelihood of pregnancy resulting from intercourse) covers the time from some 5 days before until 1–2 days after ovulation. In an average 28 day cycle with a 14-day luteal phase, this corresponds to the second and the beginning of the third week. However, few cycles are exactly average, and what was average for one woman in her early adulthood, may not be the same number once she matures further. A variety of methods have been developed to help individual women estimate the relatively fertile and the relatively infertile days in the cycle: these systems are called fertility awareness.

Fertility awareness methods that rely on cycle length records alone are called calendar-based methods. Methods that require observation of one or more of the three primary fertility signs (basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cervical position) are known as symptoms-based methods. Urine test kits are available that detect the LH surge that occurs 24 to 36 hours before ovulation; these are known as ovulation predictor kits (OPKs). Computerized devices that interpret basal body temperatures, urinary test results, or changes in saliva are called fertility monitors.

A woman's fertility is also affected by her age. As a woman's total egg supply is formed in fetal life, to be ovulated decades later, it has been suggested that this long lifetime may make the chromatin of eggs more vulnerable to division problems, breakage, and mutation than the chromatin of sperm, which are produced continuously during a man's reproductive life.

Why MaybeMOM is a Socially Conscious Business

Recently I was contacted by a journalist of very popular publication to talk about development of a socially conscious business. It was a great topic and made me think a lot, so I decided to share my thoughts with you, my dear readers: customers and small business owners.

How is MaybeMOM, Inc. socially responsible? MaybeMOM helps women understand the importance of checking their ovulation on a daily basis. There is a direct connection between hormonal balance and fertility. MaybeMOM mission is to help millions of women maintain good health and take control over their personal fertility. Our product, MaybeMOM mini-ovulation microscope, helps women establish their personal ovulation calendar. Knowing ther ovulation pattern and detecting any irregularities in their cycle aids women in their family planning efforts and helps maintaining good health. MaybeMOM's mission is to educate women about important fertility issues and how to use the natural family planning method to conceive. With MaybeMOM, more and more women discover convenient, quick and easy method to test her ovulation, while in the comfort of her own home. In addition, MaybeMOM saliva fertility tester is environmentally friendly. The fertility test involves no chemicals, waste, refills or disposable moving parts and only requires the natural saliva from the woman to be effective. It requires a one- time purchase that should last about 15 years, saving the landfills from unnecessary trash.

This is socially conscious.

Why did I adopt this strategy? I adopted this strategy due to a personal health problem and near death experience with pregnancy. Like millions of women around the world, I didn't pay attention to my health regarding the fertility issues because I lacked the knowledge and didn't find the time to see my physician on a regular basis. My personal health problem occurred at the peak of my career. That experience dramatically and adversely affected me physically, mentally and financially. Right after that tragedy I developed the idea that I should help other women avoid this unbearable pain and terrible experience. That was the moment I decided to make a change and help millions of women avoid some of their fertility problems, which in my case almost cost me my life. I know now that by monitoring your own ovulation cycle a woman will gain the knowledge necessary to become well-informed about her ovulation cycle, and its effect on her fertility health. A little knowledge about a simple tool that requires a drop of saliva can change your life and that is the impact I would like to have on any woman interested in her fertility.

What supports MaybeMOM's Strategy?

Every hour of every day millions of women want to know is it that time... MaybeMOM strategies are:

• Educating women about their bodies;
• Taking the guess work out of woman's personal fertility issues, giving her new confidence in her choices;
• Providing accurate information about her ovulation cycle, using a drop of saliva;
• Saving time, save money;
• Reliving unnecessary stress regarding her unique fertility issues.

Challenges:

• Getting the message through to millions of women
• Bringing new product to the market and on the shelves of the American Retailers

Word of advice for other companies that may want to be more socially responsible:

• Learn the needs of the consumer. Find out what is important to your customer that makes them feel more comfortable, relaxed and satisfied with your product and informational services.
• Show the consumer that you are providing them something they need for improvement in their daily life, something that is easy to use (For example, using saliva rather than urine strips is less messy and more convenient), safe and economically beneficial (Good value).
• Also show that your product is environmentally friendly and the best alternative for them. (For example, no chemicals are required for my test).

With any questions and for more information, please visit our website, www.maybemom.com.

With warmest regards,
Helen Denis, president, MaybeMOM Inc.