Ovulation can feel like a bit of a mystery, especially if you're trying to time a pregnancy or simply want to understand your cycle better. I'll guide you through it practically: how to calculate it, what signs to look out for, and what to do if your cycle is acting up. Remember: there's no single "right" way for a cycle to be, and variation is completely normal.

Ovulation is the point in the menstrual cycle when an ovary releases a mature egg. The egg is picked up by the fallopian tube, and if a sperm fertilizes the egg, it typically happens in the fallopian tube.

After ovulation, the body produces progesterone, which helps prepare the uterine lining. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop again, and for most, this results in menstruation.

A practical rule of thumb is that ovulation often occurs approximately 14 days before the next menstruation. This means that the day of ovulation depends on the length of your cycle.

• If you have a 28-day cycle, ovulation often occurs around day 14 (counted from the first day of bleeding).
• If you have a 35-day cycle, ovulation often occurs around day 21.

However, cycles can shift, and factors like stress can affect timing in some individuals and, in rare cases, lead to absent ovulation.

Some people clearly feel ovulation, while others don't at all. Both can be completely normal. Signs that some people experience around ovulation can include:

• Slight temperature increase (measured daily in the morning)
• Pain or dull ache in the lower abdomen
• Breast tenderness or soreness
• Spotting and changes in discharge
• Increased libido or altered sense of smell

If you want to use bodily signs, start simply: write down for 2-3 cycles when you experience, for example, changes in discharge, a dull ache, or noticeable mood swings. This makes it easier to see patterns without having to guess from month to month.

A typical cycle lasts approximately 21 to 35 days. To calculate your cycle length, you count from the first day of menstruation to the day before the next menstruation begins.

If you want a quick overview of fertile days and expected ovulation, you can also use an ovulation calculator or a cycle tracking app. If you are also preparing your body for pregnancy, it may make sense to look under Pregnancy for relevant products for the period around family planning.

The chance of pregnancy is typically highest on the day of ovulation itself and the day before. At the same time, sperm can sometimes survive in the body for several days, so the "fertile window" can extend over the days leading up to ovulation.

If you would like to see a complete overview of the product range for the journey before, during, and after pregnancy, you can start at All Products.

If you get a positive test and your body quickly starts to change, comfort can be very important. Some women choose an underwire-free nursing bra early on, designed to adapt to the body throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, such as the Gel-Support® Maternity and Nursing Bra.

When it's time for the postpartum period, there are also bundled solutions available, such as the New Mum Care Pack, which can be nice to have ready without having to consider everything at once.