Checking cervical fluid can help you get pregnant
A couple who wants to have a baby have several methods available to them to help assure conception. One of these is to track the quality of the woman’s cervical fluid, which can aid in conceiving a baby.
The cervix, or entrance to the vagina, secretes cervical fluid. The hormone estrogen produces this fluid during the first phase of a monthly menstrual cycle, called the follicular phase.
Cervical fluid plays a crucial role in conception, because it helps to keep sperm alive for as long as five days. The fluid protects the sperm from the vagina’s naturally acidic environment and helps the sperm move up the fallopian tube so that it can fertilize an ovum, or egg.
To check cervical mucus, wipe the vaginal area with a tissue and observe what’s on the tissue. Then close the tissue around the sample you’ve collect and open it. Does the fluid sample appear to “stretch?” If the sample is thin and “stretchy,” you are at your peak time of fertility. This should be your optimal time to have intercourse in order to conceive.
Another way to get a sample of cervical mucus is to wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap, and then insert two fingers into the vagina and pulls out some fluid. (Don’t do this if you think you might have a vaginal infection). Again, observe the sample for the characteristics listed earlier to determine fertility. In addition to being thin and stretchy, the fluid can be clear or iridescent in color. If the fluid has a bad odor, however, this can be a sign of a vaginal infection, and you should see your doctor right away.
In order to be sure of what you’re seeing when you check samples of cervical fluid, it’s a good idea to check the fluid at other times during your menstrual cycle so you become familiar with the differences.
In State 1 after the conclusion of your period, the cervical fluid appears sticky or gummy. This stage lasts two to three days.
In Stage 2, lasting two to four days, the cervical fluid changes to appear creamy or milky, similar to lotion. This signals the start of your fertile period.
At Stage 3, the cervical fluid begins to look like the white part of an egg, showing the thin and stretchy appearance. At this point, you are very fertile and likely to conceive if you have sexual intercourse as soon as possible. Women in their mid-20s are likely to have this “egg white” cervical fluid for as long as five days, while women who are in their mid-30s or older may only experience this stage for one to two days. That’s part of the reason that conception can be so much harder when the woman is older.
At Stage 4, the cervical fluid turns moist or sticky, or the cervix may seem dry altogether. This means that conception did not occur, and that you are infertile until the next ovulation period.
Some women can have a condition known as “hostile cervical mucus.” This occurs when the mucus becomes too sticky and thick for the sperm to penetrate it. This type of mucus also can become much too acidic for sperm to survive. Among the ways to overcome hostile cervical mucus:
Drink at least 10 glasses of water daily
Stop smoking and cut down on caffeinated drinks.
If you’re taking a medication that dries up mucus in your sinuses, such as antihistamines for allergies, these can also dry up the mucus in your cervix. See if you can cut back or skip this medication around ovulation time to improve the condition of cervical mucus.
There is one final and quite surprising home remedy that can help the condition of hostile cervical mucus: Robitussin cough syrup. Robitussin typically is taken to loosen mucus resulting from colds, but it also works to thing hostile cervical mucus that is too thick. Robitussin contains guaifenesin, which is the active ingredient that loosens mucus. It can be found in generic cough syrups as well, but be sure to check the label to see that guaifenesin is the only active ingredient. Doctors suggest taking two teaspoons of Robitussin three times a day for five days prior to expected ovulation. Drink a full glass of water with each dose to help mucus production.
No related posts.