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My sincere greetings to all of you steemians who has faithfully been following this series right from inception. 

You're welcome to, yet again, another episode of this information packed series. 

In Part 1 & 2 of this Chapter 4, we discussed in great details all known natural means of predicting ovulation such as Ovulation Calendar Recording, Basal Body Temperature Plotting, Cervical Mucus Analysis, and Cervical Position Monitoring. In this final part of Chapter 4 being Part 3, we will look at chemical (test) approaches to predicting ovulation with scientific precision. 

Part 3

Ovulation Test

Sometimes it can be confusing (to some people) to pinpoint ovulation by following natural methods discussed in part 1 & 2, especially where menstrual cycle is haphazard and not regular. Ovulation Test becomes the best choice of fertility charting method to use.

To successfully implement Shuttles Method, ovulation Test is the ultimate choice. It enables quick, easy and accurate prediction of ovulation well in advance from the very first month. For this reason, if you're really interested in influencing the gender of your baby, then having your own kits for home-use is a must. It really doesn't cost a fortune. 

Forms of Ovulation Test

1. Saliva-based Ovulation Test (or Ovulation Microscope), and 
2. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Urine Test, (or simply Urine Ovulation Test)

Saliva-based Ovulation Test 

This test enables you to test your saliva by using a small microscope known as Ovulation Microscope. At ovulation, there's a noticeable increase in estrogen levels as well as salt content of saliva. If the saliva of a woman who is ovulating is smeared on a surface and allowed to dry, the salt will crystallize into a fern-like patterns, which begin to appear about three days prior to ovulation. 

This is the ideal phase when trying to conceive a baby girl using Shettles 3-day-prior-to-ovulation intercourse strategy. We will go into this later on. Saliva-based Ovulation Microscope can be used over and over again and so can last for a long time. 

Procedure 

First thing in the morning before taking breakfast or drinking any liquid, take a sample of saliva with your finger and smear it on a slide.

Ensure the amount is not too much and there is no air bubbles in the saliva. 

Allow the slide to dry and then view it under an ovulation microscope for presence of any 'ferning-pattern' or its absence.

If ferning-pattern is present, it means you're ovulating; absence means no ovulation is occurring. 

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Urine Ovulation (LH) Test 

This test detects Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge as an accurate indication of ovulation. Just prior to ovulation, there's a sudden and dramatic rise in the level of Luteinizing Hormone. Positive Confirmation of Urine-based ovulation test means that the woman will most likely become fertile within the next 2 days with peak fertility - ovulation - occurring at 36 hours after the LH surge.

Procedure 

Depending on the brand of the Urine-based ovulation test kit that's involved, you will either collect urine in a cup and dip the test card into it or hold a test stick under your vulva and urinate on it.

If there's LH surge, coloured band will appear on the test card or stick, and vice versa. 

Ensure you read the results within 10 minutes. 

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NB:

It's advisable not to carry out urine test as soon as you wake up in order not to miss the first day of LH surge.

It is important to run the test at about the same time every day. 

For the best results, it is advisable to test twice daily, preferably between 11am and 3pm for the first testing phase, and between 5pm and 10pm for the final phase.

Start running urine-based ovulation test from 2 or 3 days before the day you are expecting your ovulation to occur according to your ovulation Calendar. 

Intake of too much liquid will dilute your urine and make it difficult to detect the surge. Hence, it is advisable to reduce the amount of liquids you drink for about 2 hours before doing the test.

Conclusion 

I recommend you employ a combination of prediction techniques in order to predict ovulation accurately. This is to enable accurate timing of intercourse in relation to ovulation date, which is a prerequisite for success in preconception gender selection and achieving pregnancy. 

And that brings us to the end of this Chapter. Next chapter being chapter 5 is the real deal. That's where we will be discussing Dr Shettles recommendations properly. So don't ever miss it!

UPVOTE. COMMENT. RESTEEM

Yours Naija Boi,

@eurogee