Understanding Cervical Fertile Mucus

cervical fertile mucus

Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 05:02 am

Fertile mucus (or fertile cervical mucus) is fluid from your cervix that indicates you’re likely to conceive if you have sexual intercourse.

If proper cervical mucus chart is kept, you can fully understand when you have fertile mucus and how to get pregnant easily.

This article will explain what your fertile mucus is? When to have regular sexual intercourse to get pregnant and nine reasons why you’re still not pregnant.

If you have any questions, then be free to ask your questions or shoot me an email.

 

What is fertile mucus or ovulation mucus?

Every woman during their menstrual cycle will have a different type of mucus coming out their vagina. The nature of your discharge gives a clue about when you are likely to get pregnant.

What is the menstrual cycle?

This is the time it takes between 2 of your periods. It is usually between 21 to 35 days in most women. Below 21 days and above 35 days are abnormal. Also, if your menstrual cycle is 21 days you will ovulate early (early ovulation). If it’s 35 days, then you will have late ovulation.

This is the time it takes between 2 of your periods. It is usually between 21 to 35 days in most women. Below 21 days and above 35 days are abnormal. Also, if your menstrual cycle is 21 days you will ovulate early (early ovulation). If it’s 35 days, then you will have late ovulation.

In every woman, the endometrium covering the uterus (womb) comes out as period and last about 2 to 7 days. After your period, you will notice a dry thick vaginal discharge. This will later become creamy egg white discharge that is stretchy just before ovulation. Just around ovulation, your discharge becomes more watery, and after ovulation, it becomes thick again

Your fertile mucus is that discharge that gets you pregnant if you have intercourse. Clear watery discharge at the middle of your menstrual cycle and egg white stretchy discharge before ovulation is fertile. Sexual intercourse when you have this type of discharge can get you pregnant.

 

Understanding cervical mucus stages

To get pregnant easily, you should understand the changes that occur in your cervix and the type of fluid that comes out of your vagina.

There are four cervical mucus stages you must know while trying to conceive.

  • Just after your period
  • Before ovulation
  • At ovulation
  • After ovulation

Features of cervical mucus just after your period

Immediately after your period, most women will have a dry vagina or a thick white stuff coming out. This white discharge has no odor, and it’s not itching. At this point, the level of estrogen hormone begins to rise due to stimulation of the pituitary gland by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Features of cervical mucus before ovulation

Just before ovulation, the level of estrogen reaches its peak. Your discharge becomes creamy white and stretchy sticky mucus that comes out from your vagina. This type of mucus indicates you’re likely to ovulate in hours or few days. The hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), will have a sudden surge about 12 to 24 hours before you ovulate. Women that use ovulation kits or fertility monitors can predict when they will ovulate by checking for this LH surge.

Features of cervical mucus at ovulation

At ovulation, your cervical mucus becomes more watery and more fertile. It is a clear, watery and egg white discharge that can stretch between 2 fingers. Sexual intercourse during this kind of vaginal discharge will easily get you pregnant.

Features of cervical mucus after ovulation

After the release of the egg from the ovary, the follicle gets filled will blood and form the yellow corpus luteum. This will increase progesterone production after your ovulation to help the endometrium prepare for implantation.

This progesterone dominance after ovulation will cause your period to be thick white discharge. If your fertilized egg is not implanted, the corpus luteum breakdown about 4 to 5 days before your next period leading to bleeding that comes out as your period.

 

Changes in your cervix during your menstrual cycle

Now you understand the changes that occur in your discharge, let’s explain changes that happen in your cervix.

What is cervix? The cervix is just like a tube that connects your womb to your vagina. It is also where the sperm passes through to fertilize the egg in the fallopian tube.

Four cervix changes can also occur during your menstrual cycle

  • After your period
  • Before ovulation
  • At ovulation
  • After ovulation

Cervix changes after your period

Immediately after your period, your cervix is hard, lying low in your vagina with dry or thick white mucus. At this stage, your are infertile and cannot get pregnant. Thick white mucus makes it difficult for sperm to move freely.

Cervix changes before ovulation

Your cervix becomes soft, lying high in your vagina with cream like stretchy white discharge coming out of your vagina. Can I get pregnant?. Yes, you can get pregnant with regular intercourse during this type of discharge.

Cervix changes at ovulation

Your cervix becomes soft, high up in our vagina, not closed with more watery cervical mucus that is egg white. Can I get pregnant? Yes. Regular intercourse during this time will make you pregnant.

Cervix changes after ovulation

Your cervix becomes hard again, low in your vagina with thick white creamy discharge down there. Can I get pregnant? No. It ‘s hard to get pregnant during this type of discharge because it is difficult for sperm to swim through.

 

What is my fertile mucus?

Now we know the changes in our cervix and cervical discharge, what does fertile mucus look like and at what point am I most fertile?

Just before ovulation, your white stretchy and slippery mucus is a fertile mucus. If you have intercourse during this period, you are likely to conceive.

During ovulation, your discharge is more watery, clear and egg white. This is your most fertile mucus and regular intercourse during this time will likely get you pregnant.

However, every woman will not have a 28-day menstrual cycle. Women with shorter cycle can ovulate early after period.

In these women, the time taken from creamy discharge to egg white watery discharge may not be much.

This means, if you have a shorter cycle, you can get pregnant just after period.

 

What time is my fertile window?

What is the fertile window? It is when you can get pregnant easily during your menstrual cycle.

If you want to get pregnant, then you must understand your ovulation mucus discharge and the best time to have intercourse. The life span of sperm is about 3 to 5 days. It can sometimes live up to seven days. However, your egg just has a life span of 12 to 24 hours. This means that five days before your ovulation and 24 hours after ovulation is when you’re likely to get pregnant. This is your fertile window.

If you have regular intercourse with your partner, then you’re can easily conceive. It is recommended to have regular intercourse every 2 or 3 days. The chances of getting pregnant are higher if the sperm is already waiting before you ovulate.

 

How cervical mucus chart can increase your chances of getting pregnant

If you desire to get pregnant easily, there are few no cost ways you can achieve this. You can check your vagina and examine your mucus daily to know when there is a change.

I usually advise women to do this in the evening or before you sleep.

First, ensure that you have washed your hands. Dip 2 of your fingers (middle and index fingers) into your vagina. Examine your discharge while asking yourself these questions

  • Is my discharge stretchy between my fingers?
  • Is my cervix low or high up in my vagina?
  • If your discharge is watery?
  • If your discharge is creamy thick mucus?

This method is inexpensive and very easy to carry out.

If your discharge is stretchy and egg white, try to have intercourse as this is a fertile mucus. Thick white mucus is not a fertile mucus and will not get you pregnant.

However, you can purchase ovulation kits and fertility monitors that can help predict your ovulation and fertile window.

 

Reasons you’re still not pregnant

  1. You do not know your fertile mucus or ovulation mucus discharge. Solution— Fertile mucus is stretchy, egg white or watery clear discharge.
  2. You do not know your fertile window. Solution— Your fertile window is the time it takes for a normal sperm to survive till you ovulate. It is usually between 3-5 days before you ovulate and 24 hours after ovulation. Sexual intercourse during this period can increase your pregnancy chances.
  3. You do not chart your cervical mucus. Solution— Cervical mucus chart is an easy and inexpensive way to know when your fertile mucus occurs and understand yourself better. If you don’t chart, you may miss you fertile mucus.
  4. You do not have regular intercourse. Solution — Regular intercourse every 2 or 3 days will help. If you don’t have intercourse at all, you can’t get pregnant.
  5. You have intercourse but at wrong times. Solution— Having intercourse just after your period and after ovulation will not get you pregnant. You must learn your fertile mucus and have regular intercourse at the right time.
  6. You’ve had an infection that has damaged your fallopian tube resulting in infertility. If you’re not getting pregnant after doing the right things, then you should let your doctor know
  7. You have a problem with your womb. It may be an issue that started at birth or maybe you uterus has an abnormal shape. Also, previous septic abortion can cause Asherman syndrome which prevents pregnancy. Solution— Inform your doctor.
  8. You are more than the age expected to get pregnant. Every woman produces one egg per cycle. If you are no longer having periods, then you’re likely in menopause. It’s hard getting pregnant at menopause. Solution—Inform your fertility doctor for more advice.
  9. The sperm from your partner is abnormal with low quality. Low sperm count and impaired sperm motility can affect your chances getting pregnant. Solution— Let your partner get a fertility test done including sperm analysis.

 

Frequently asked questions about fertile cervical mucus

These are some commonly asked questions about cervical fertile mucus and fertile window. Please free to share your experiences, story and more questions.

How does cervical fluid after conception look like?

Cervical fluid after conception is more sticky, thick clear white mucus without vaginal itching. Some women may have brown mucus discharge due to implantation bleeding.

What does cervical mucus early pregnancy look like?

Cervical mucus in early pregnancy is creamy egg white discharge or brown discharge.

When does watery cervical mucus occur?

During ovulation, the mucus from your vagina becomes clear white and watery. It is a sign you’re about to ovulate. Regular intercourse during this time will lead to pregnancy.

What does cervical mucus after ovulation look like?

After ovulation, your cervical mucus becomes white and thick discharge. It may become brownish if you’re pregnant or yellow discharge when exposed to air.

How does cervical mucus before period looks like?

Cervical mucus before your period is usually thick, clear mucus. It has no odor and does not cause any vaginal itching.

How long does white cervical discharge last?

Egg white discharge just before ovulation is a sign that you are fertile and can get pregnant. It usually does not last more than three days in women. Your discharge will become more watery when ovulation occurs and then thick after ovulation.

What does it mean when you have egg white discharge?

If your vaginal discharge is egg white and stretchy, then you’re fertile and will soon ovulate. If you are trying to get pregnant, this is the best time to have intercourse.

What does it mean if I have a lot of mucus discharge?

Mucus discharge can be excessive or heavy in pregnant women, breast feeding mothers and during ovulation. However, it does not itch and has no odor. Yeast infection is a common cause of white mucus discharge that is cottage cheese like with vaginal itching. A fishy smelly vagina is likely due to bacterial vaginosis.

What does it mean when cervical mucus is watery?

Just around your ovulation, cervical mucus is thin and clear. If your cervical mucus is watery, then you’re ovulating.

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4 Comments

  • Dunn Reply

    Oh, Thank you. Always let us know how we can help.

  • linus pator Reply

    Can a girl become pregnant having sexual intercourse 2-3 days before period if sperm is not ejaculated?

  • JAMES DRAKE Reply

    Dr.Dunn My girlfriend and I are trying to have a baby for 2 yrs now. She wanted me to ask you if Having having less Cervical Mucus keep you from getting pregnant. When I eject the sperm it just comes out.

    • Dr. Dunn A. Reply

      No, It does not. sometimes it’s normal that your girlfriend won’t have so much discharge. So don’t panic. Make sure to let an OBS?GYN doctor checks for any problem, if any. Also, you may be asked to take some test including semen analysis.

      In most cases, “you guyz” may be having sexual intercourse at the wrong time. make the timing right and then hopefully you will see results.

      Hope this helps

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