Cervical Fluid When First Pregnant

When pregnancy occurs, the cervix begins producing a mucus plug, which produces a lot of white creamy cervical fluid. When first pregnant, the fluid may be dry, or you may notice a little more creamy fluid. Usually when menstruation draws near, the fluid will take on a more creamy/watery appearance. When pregnant it will be more whitish or yellowish.

How To Check Cervical Position

To properly check the cervical position, thorougly wash your hands first. Pick a position and use this position each time - that way you will always get a true reading.
1. Sitting on the toilet - 2. Lying on your back
3. Squatting

Some women prefer to check while in the shower, the hands will already be clean and squatting can easily be done. Then gently insert one or two fingers into your vagina until you feel the cervix.

Charts

In order to effectively chart your fertility signs, you will need a good chart. You can download your chart from a number of websites, such as www.fertilityplus.org or you can make your own. If you buy a brand new basal body thermometer, the package should contain a blank one you can copy. Or you can purchase a book such as Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and copy the charts in the back of her book.

Sleeping and Basal Body Temperature

In order to get an accurate basal body temperature you need to have been asleep at least 3 hours prior. Before you take your temperature, be sure to not move around unnecessarily and don´t talk. These things can affect the temperature, causing it to rise from the true reading.

The Cervix After Ovulation

After ovulation the cervix drops back down into the low position and will become firm again. Most of the time this happens within a day. The Os close up and the cervical fluid dries up.

The Cervix Before Ovulation

The cervix after the menstrual bleeding and before ovulation will be low and closed. It will feel like the tip of your nose. As ovulation approaches, the cervix will rise up high in the vagina and become soft. It will feel like your lips and the O´s will be open. At the height of ovulation, you may not even be able to find your cervix because it will be so high up.

Types Of Cervical Fluid

1. Dry cervical fluid - the absence of any fluid
2. Sticky cervical fluid - feels "tacky" when touched
3. Creamy cervical fluid - feels lotiony
4. Clear cervical fluid - feels like egg whites

Fertile Quality Cervical Fluid

Fertile quality cervical fluid around the time of ovulation will be either clear or clear streaked with creamy (white). It will have the consistancy of egg whites - when placed between the forefinger and thumb it will stretch (spin) and feels very slippery. There should be an abundance of it, especially at the cervix.

Up Earlier or Later?

If you rise at a different time for taking your basal body temperature then use this rule of thumb. For every half hour earlier you arrise, add .1 a degree. For every half hour late you arrise, subtract .1 a degree.

Hyper-Thyroid

Hyperthyroid can be discovered through the charting of your basal body temperatures. If you temperautures pre-ovulation are above 98.0 F - you may want to have your thyroid checked. This is a possible indication of high thyroid. Keep in mind that some women may normally have high pre-ovulation temperatures and their thyroid still be normal too.

Charting Cervical Fluid

If your cycles are irregular, or if you are unsure of how long they are, chart. Charting the changes in you cervical mucus over the course of a few months will help you determine your fertile times.

How To Check For Cervical Fluid

You can check your cervical fluid by wiping tissue or clean fingers over the opening of your vagina before urinating. Or you can insert a finger or two into the vagina to "draw" some of the fluid out. Whichever mode you choose - stick to it because there will be more in the vagina than on the outside.

Normal Pre-Ovulation Temperatures

Every woman is different, so is her basal body temperature (BBT). What is normal for one may indicate a problem for another. Normally, pre-ovulation BBT´s are in the 96.0 F to 98.0 F range.

Charts Part 2

A good chart will have an area to daily record your basal body temperature. It will also have an area to record you cervical fluid and cervical postion. Be sure to note anything out of the ordinary, such as illness or room too cold/warm or in a different location (on vacation) - as these things will affect your fertility signs.

The Recommendation Of Checking the Cervix

The cervical position can show where you in your cycle. However there is a small danger in checking the cervix. Some doctors say it can introduce germs and can cause infections if the cervix is checked too often. If you wish to check the cervical position be sure to thoroughly wash your hands prior to the check. There are many women who use this particular sign every month to help them pinpoint where they are in their menstrual cycle.

Low Estrogen

A possible indicator of low estrogen could be if your pre-ovulation temperatures are on the high side. Estrogen will normally cause the basal body temperature to be low. Another indication of estrogen is the quality of cervical fluid around ovulation. Estrogen will help the body to produce more of the fertile quality cervical fluid.

Ovulation Rise

When charting your temperature, you will notice a rise of about .4 a degree the day after ovulation. This occurs, normally, in the middle of your cycle. The temperatures should stay high once you see this rise.

If you don´t see a .4 rise, but notice a steady slow rise, you can assume that ovulation occurred the day before the first highest temperature. It´s important to chart cervical fluid and cervical position in conjunction with basal temperatures to accurately pinpoint ovulation.

Cover Line

When charting your basal body temperature, you will need to draw a cover line once ovulation has occured. The cover line is taken by going back 6 days before the rise in temperatues (ovulation). Take the highest of the 6 temperatures and draw a line .1 a degree above it. This is the line in which your post ovulation temperatures should stay above.

Cervical Cysts

When charting the cervical position, you may occasionally find tiny cysts on your cervix. Most of the time, these are harmless polyps called nabothian cysts. If you notice these for more than a week, see your doctor.