Does observing cervical mucus will make it easy for you to predict the most fertile days? 

Here is some detailed information about the Cervical mucus timeline and how it helps in predicting your most fertile days?

Observing and tracking the quantity and quality of cervical mucus will help you understand when you are ovulating. Cervical Mucus (CM) is a sticky fluid that is secreted by glands and found in the cervix. The careful observation of mucus patterns is also known as Billings Ovulation Methods. This knowledge will help you further if you wish to embrace motherhood. Throughout the menstrual cycle, there are significant shifts in your hormones and that affects the appearance, texture, and amount of cervical mucus. The gooey fluid serves the following functions:

• It keeps the cervix lubricated

• By keeping the cervix moist, it doesn’t let the cervix get shrink due to dehydration

• The CM acts as a medium of transportation for sperms to reach the uterus where fertilization of eggs can take place

• It helps in enhancing sperm longevity

• Prevents things from entering the uterus through your cervix

Below mentioned are the 4 types of Cervical mucus:

• TYPE 1- Lowest fertility

If you go by appearance nothing is seen and it is usually rough, itchy, and dry.

• TYPE 2- Low fertility

The appearance is nothing however it will make your underwear damp.

• TYPE 3- Intermediate fertility

If you go by appearance then the mucus looks creamy, thick, and most probably whitish or yellowish. It is not at all stretchy and sticky. You will feel a damp sensation.

• TYPE 4- High fertility

The appearance of the CM is transparent like raw egg white. It is stretchy, watery, has elasticity, and sometimes reddish. The sensation is slippery, wet, and smooth

When you find your CM to be creamy, it is a clear sign that you’re close to ovulation. It is generally found 2-3 days before ovulation. It is not the most fertile stage to conceive. If your cervical mucus has the same consistency as water and its formation is thin and transparent then it’s a clear sign of ovulation. If a couple makes love during this phase, then the chances of conceiving are high. If you notice egg-white cervical mucus (EWCM) then it’s the best chance to conceive. If the cervical mucus is sticky then you are likely to enter the luteal phase which is not at all a good time to conceive. You can check your CM 3 ways:

• Manually- Start by washing and drying your hands. Find a comfortable position and insert 2 clean fingers in your vagina and swab your cervix.

• Surgical swab- You can get a sterile swab from a nearby pharmacist. This thick bud of cotton swab is mostly used by doctors to collect the sample.

• Check underwear or a panty liner- A lot of women use panty liners to stay dry when they have to stay too long out of the house. Before using the washroom, you can have a look at your deposited cervical mucus on your panty liner or underwear.

• Toilet paper- A lot of women use toilet paper after peeing. If you can insert the toilet paper a little deeper into your vagina then you will get some amount of cervical mucus on the toilet paper. Although it will not detect clear results because paper can absorb some amount of mucus. To avoid infections, make sure the toilet paper is clean.

Here are some important tips that you must keep in mind before checking your cervical mucus:

• Avoid checking your CM during or right after sex

• If you are uncomfortable putting your fingers inside the vagina then you can notice it on your underwear or toilet paper.

• Consider checking your CM after bowel movements

• If you notice multiple patches of fertile CM then lookout for some other signs of ovulation

• If you never notice fertile CM then you must seek medical help

• Do not get confused between the two- semen and cervical mucus

• Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids

• You may notice some patches of cervical mucus right before your periods and that’s a sign of impending ovulation

A lot of factors can cause changes to your cervical mucus and they are as follows:

• Contraceptive pills

• Hormonal imbalance

• Infection or disease

• Pregnancy

• Stress

• Weight changes

• Breastfeeding

• If you’re traveling a lot