Ovulation Tracking: Understanding Irregular Cycles & Predicting Peak Fertility

Question
Hi there, I am 31 years old, I have never been pregnant and I am in my 4th month of trying to conceive. My last period began on 2/12/06. I typically have a 28 to 29 day cycle (but this last cycle that ended on 2/11 was 24 days). I know that for a normal 28 day cycle you typically ovulate on day 14. I thought I might have ovulated on 2/22 because of my cervical mucous. After the 22nd and also leading up to the 22nd I was completely dry for days, it was only on 2/22 that I saw mucous at all... until 3/1, that is. On 3/2 I had what I would call the raw egg white mucous and heavy. Could I ovulate this late in my cycle? That would indicate a 36 day or so cycle which would be VERY abnormal for me. Thanks for your help!  

Answer
You are correct. Usually, if you have a 28 day cycle (from the first day of your period until the first day of your next period)you will ovulate on cycle day #14. If you have a longer or shorter cycle, you will usually ovulate 14 days PRIOR to the first day of your next period. If your last period started on February 12, and you typically have a 28-29 day cycle, ovulation should have occurred on February 24 or 25. However, if your cycle was longer, the day of ovulation could have been later.It may help if you could purchase an ovulation monitor or ovulation predictor kit which measures the LH surge (which is around 12 hours prior to ovulation). Continue what you are doing for another 8 months. If, after 12 months of trying, you have not conceived, consult with your gynecologist. Remember 12 months are only 12 days of ovulation. If you had the raw egg mucus on March 2, that was cycle day #19. See when you get your next period.