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You can use ovulation predictor kits to give you a good idea. You pee on one every morning and when you get a positive that means you are likely to ovulate in the next 24 to 48 hours. You can also use charting by checking your cervical mucus or your temp, but I don't use those methods so I can't give you much advice. I personally can feel myself ovulate. For one day every month I'll get some sharp pains around one of my ovaries. But remember that sperm can live for a while so it's not imperative that you have sex on THE day of ovualtion. If you have a typical 28 day cycle I would say just have sex every otherday from cycle day 10 to cycle day 17 and you should be fine.

The ONLY way to confirm that you've ovulated is by charting--taking your temperature at the same time each morning and recording it. OPKs (the strips that you pee on) can tel lyou when your body is gearing up to ovulate, but they will not confirm that you have infact ovulated. And you can gear up to ovulate multiple times in a month, but have it not happen for various reasons. So charting is really the only way to know for SURE (outside of getting bloodwork done). A lot of people have secondary signs, like CM (EWCM or watery CM is a sign of ovulation).

No one has recommended the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, which I actually haven't read but is considered the Bible on female fertility. I would check that out for sure.

I chart. It's pretty enlightening, although it makes me second guess every temperature when I'm hoping for a BFP! That said, I generally know when I will O based on past month. Temping will only confirm ovulation after it's occurred. You can check you cervical fluid (I know that sounds gross, but it's a great indicator and worth it for a bebe!). I highly, highly recommend the book Take Charge of Your Fertility and I use the Fertility Friend app to chart. Have fun!

I felt exactly the same when we first TTC!

I bought TCOYF and OPK strips on Amazon to start... for first two cycles I used Fertility Friend and pee-stick OPKs (2 lines) and CM Changes to track my O day... (I suck at temping).

This last cycle I bought the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor, which gave me 9 high fertility days, followed by 2 peak O days (backed up by + OPKs). We were diligent and BDed for nearly two weeks. Next month, I'm hoping to limit that window to a shorter timeframe!

I had period-like cramps the day I ovulated last cycle as well. But I agree with the other ladies, charting is the only way to know that you have ovulated. I chart and use OPKs to make sure I don't miss the days before ovulation.

Good luck!