Can you tell me what exactly a Cervical Mucus is?

Question

I've come across two types in my life time. First one is prior to my Ovulation - it's usually thick, creamy, white cervical muscus, but less comes out and last only a day or two. And secondly, prior to my upcoming menstrual cycle - the amount of cervical muscus is a lot more - when I wiped myself with some toliet paper - looked like wet, stretchy clear spider web almost runny and had it for three days already.

To JS: So, would this be the right time to have sex an order to get pregnant? Been trying to figure out my Ovulation day because in the Fall - my husband and I will be starting a family. And I heard from mother's already that "timing" is everything an order to concieve.

Answer 1

Fertile quality cervical mucus is normally stretchy like egg white and this is what is present before and during ovulation, so that's what you want to look out for – timing is everything as you are only fertile for around 30% of your menstrual cycle, timing can also help you choose the sex of your baby if you wish (Shettles Method).

The cervical mucus is vital to protect the sperm from the acid pH of the vagina and aid it in reaching the egg, with it the sperm can live up to five days, considering the egg only lives for around 48 hours the better you can predict ovulation and fertile days the better as that window for conception is pretty small.

I would highly recommend you start practicing Fertility Awareness Method or Natural Family Planning, with these methods typically speaking within three months you will either be pregnant or have a good idea why you are not.

These methods involve tracking your basal body temperature, cervical mucus and cervical position on a daily basis to determine your fertile days, it would also tell you if you have any fertility problems long before a load of invasive testing by your doctor could because it will show you exactly why you cannot get pregnant by showing where the problems in your cycles are. It also has advantages as birth control and for general gynaecological health.

I would highly recommend getting a book called 'Taking Charge Of Your Fertility' by Toni Weschler, it will set you back around £12 from Amazon or can be picked up at most book stores, and it very much worth what you pay for it.

A lot of areas also have Fertility Awareness Method instructors that would be able to help you learn if need be, if you talk to your doctor then he or she can give you the name of an instructor or refer you. Then you would be better able to learn FAM/NFP to use for pregnancy achievement.

I used to use and train FAM myself, although it sounds difficult it is really easy to pick up.

Sites on FAM and NFP;

http://www.tcoyf.com – FAM.
http://www.28-days.com – FAM.
http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/fam.htm - FAM FAQ.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/2879/welcome.html - NFP.
http://www.billings-centre.ab.ca – Billings Ovulation Method.
http://www.justisse.ca – Holistic and FAM methods.
http://www.sisterzeus.com – Herbs and FAM methods.
http://www.geocities.com/fertility_awareness/charts.html - FAM charts.

On sex selection (if interested);
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Gender-Selection-The-Shettles-Method.html - Shettles Method.
http://www.in-gender.com – Gender selection.

Other similar options would be to use CycleBeads that are beads that show your fertile and none fertile days, Boots and similar stores also has an ovulation kit which consists of a little case with charts and a basal body thermometer for £12 that would be similar to FAM, NFP and other ovulation methods but without as much attention to detail – which you do not really need if planning on getting pregnant.

You could also go the more hi-tech route by using computers such as Babycomp or Persona that will both tell you when you are ovulating – I do believe you can also get ovulation testing kits, however these are not as accurate at determining when you are fertile.

For more information;
http://www.cyclebeads.com – CycleBeads.
http://www.ladycomp.com – Ladycomp and Babycomp.

Another idea which would be simpler and cheaper, although not as effective, would be to use basic tracking methods and charting these in a calendar or online, there are a few web sites around, most will work on a method similar to the Rhythm Method where it determines fertile days in accordance to your cycle and previous cycles – i.e. your last period was on day x, your next period will be on day y, so your ovulation will be on day z.

This is similar to saying that you ovulate on day 14 of your cycle, although in a regular typical cycle this would be correct (ovulation around day 12-16) if you have irregular cycles or simply your cycle is not set to this pattern this can do little for you and end up with you having sex on the wrong days, not falling pregnant and believing there is a fertility problem where there is none.

Basic charting sites;
http://www.fertilityfriend.com – Fertility Friend.
http://www.mymonthlycycles.com – My Monthly Cycles.
http://www.cyclespage.com – Cycles Page.

All these various methods will be able to help you determine when you are pregnant and what vaginal fluids are what – good luck :o)

Answer 2

The white stuff is regular DAILY vaginal discharge (there for cleansing and sexual arousal purposes).

Cervical MUCUS is just that...a thin, snot-like, clear discharge that can be found by wiping the surface of your cervix with your finger about 1 day before, the day of, and 1 day after your ovulation. It is there to help the sperm move through the cervical canal by making the pH balance better. It can be found exiting the vaginal canal, but not often (it is often so scant that its undetectable unless you swipe your cervix for it).

If you've found this substance then THAT is the best time to have sex, as you are most likely ovulating at that point in your cycle.

Answer 3

Uh you know hopefully someone can answer this because I had the same thing 2 days ago LOL. Mine was not yellow but I was sure I had already ovulated and we were doing the 2 WW but then I had gotten a mass amount of snotty looking discharge when I went potty. I am hoping that means I am pregnant and that my body is making the mucus plug and that was excess lol. Hey a girl can hope right? Karrie

Answer 4

The stretchy egg white type of discharge is Ovulation mucus.