Understanding Cervical Fertile Mucus

Fertile mucus (or fertile cervical mucus) is fluid from your cervix that indicates you’re more likely to conceive if you have sexual intercourse around that time. It is one of the key signs used in fertility awareness-based methods of family planning, together with tracking your cycle and sometimes temperature or hormone tests. 

If proper cervical mucus chart is kept, you can understand when you usually have fertile mucus and time intercourse to increase your chances of getting pregnant. It does not guarantee pregnancy, but it can help you work with your body instead of guessing. PubMed

This article will explain what your fertile mucus is, when to have regular sexual intercourse to get pregnant, and some reasons why you may still not be pregnant even when you think you are doing everything right.

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

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What is fertile mucus or ovulation mucus?

Every woman during her menstrual cycle will have different types of mucus coming out of the vagina. The nature of your discharge gives a clue about when you are likely to get pregnant and also when you might be less fertile.

Normal cervical mucus changes through the cycle from dry or thick, to creamy, to slippery and stretchy like raw egg white, and then back to thicker discharge again. 

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What is the menstrual cycle?

This is the time it takes between 2 of your periods. It is usually between about 21 to 35 days in most adult women. Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days may be abnormal and should be discussed with your doctor, especially if they are new for you. Johns Hopkins Healthcare

In every woman, the endometrium covering the uterus (womb) comes out as period and lasts about 2 to 7 days. After your period, you will often notice a dry feeling or a small amount of thicker vaginal discharge. This may later become creamy, more obvious discharge that can stretch a bit between your fingers just before ovulation. Around ovulation, your discharge usually becomes wetter, clearer and more slippery, and after ovulation it becomes thicker again. 

Your fertile mucus is that type of discharge that makes it easier for sperm to survive and swim. Clear watery discharge near the middle of your menstrual cycle and egg white stretchy discharge just before ovulation are considered “fertile mucus”. Sexual intercourse when you have this type of discharge may get you pregnant if there are no other fertility problems.

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Understanding cervical mucus stages

To get pregnant more 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 should 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 discharge. This white discharge has no bad odor, and it is not itching. At this point, the level of estrogen hormone begins to rise because the pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which tells your ovaries to start developing follicles that make estrogen. Cleveland Clinic

Features of cervical mucus before ovulation

Just before ovulation, the level of estrogen reaches its peak. Your discharge becomes creamy white and more stretchy or sticky mucus that comes out from your vagina. This type of mucus indicates you’re likely to ovulate in hours or a 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. MedlinePlus

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 gives you a higher chance of getting pregnant. Verywell Health+1

Features of cervical mucus after ovulation

After the release of the egg from the ovary, the follicle forms the yellow corpus luteum. This increases progesterone production after ovulation to help the endometrium prepare for implantation.

This progesterone dominance after ovulation makes your vaginal discharge thicker and more white or creamy again. If your fertilized egg does not implant, the corpus luteum breaks down toward the end of your cycle, your hormone levels fall, and bleeding comes out as your next period. Cleveland Clinic

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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 like a small 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 usually firmer, lying lower in your vagina, with dry or thick white mucus. At this stage, your fertility is very low, and it is less likely (but not impossible) to get pregnant. Thick white mucus makes it more difficult for sperm to move freely.

Cervix changes before ovulation

Your cervix becomes softer, lying higher in your vagina with cream-like stretchy white discharge coming out of your vagina. Can you 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 your vagina, slightly open, with more watery cervical mucus that is like egg white. Can you get pregnant? Yes. Regular intercourse during this time is most likely to make you pregnant.

Cervix changes after ovulation

Your cervix becomes firm again, lower in your vagina with thick white creamy discharge. Can you get pregnant? Fertility is low at this time because the mucus is thick and it is harder for sperm to swim through, but a small chance is still possible if your timing is off.

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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 more 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 increase your chances of getting pregnant.

However, every woman will not have a 28-day menstrual cycle. Women with shorter cycles can ovulate early after their 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 in the days just after your period if you ovulate early. Hopkins Medicine

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What time is my fertile window?

What is the fertile window? It is the time in your cycle when you can get pregnant most easily.

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 inside the female reproductive tract is usually about 3 to 5 days under good conditions. The egg has a life span of about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. MedlinePlus+1

This means that the 5 days before your ovulation, the day of ovulation, and up to about 1 day after ovulation is when you’re most likely to get pregnant. This is your fertile window. Johns Hopkins Medicine and MedlinePlus describe a similar 6–7-day window. 

If you have regular intercourse with your partner, then you can increase your chances of conceiving. It is often recommended to have intercourse every 2 or 3 days, or daily around your expected ovulation, instead of focusing only on one “perfect” day. Mayo Clinic+1

The chances of getting pregnant are higher if the sperm is already waiting in the fallopian tube before you ovulate.

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How cervical mucus chart can increase your chances of getting pregnant

If you desire to get pregnant easily, there are some low-cost ways you can try. One is to 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 with soap and water and your nails are short and clean. 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?

• Is my discharge watery?

• Is my discharge thick creamy mucus?

This method is inexpensive and easy to carry out, but it can take a few cycles before you understand your pattern. It should not be used alone as a reliable method to avoid pregnancy.

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

However, you can also purchase ovulation kits and fertility monitors that can help predict your ovulation and fertile window and combine them with cervical mucus charting. MedlinePlus+1

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Reasons you’re still not pregnant

• You do not know your fertile mucus or ovulation mucus discharge.
  Solution— Fertile mucus is stretchy, egg white or watery clear discharge in the days leading up to and including ovulation.

• You do not know your fertile window.
  Solution— Your fertile window is usually the 5 days before you ovulate, the day of ovulation, and about 1 day after. Sexual intercourse during this period can increase your pregnancy chances. Hopkins Medicine+1

• 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 your fertile mucus.

• 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. Mayo Clinic+1

• You have intercourse but at wrong times.
  Solution— Having intercourse only far from your fertile window (for example many days after ovulation) will not usually get you pregnant. However, sex just after your period can sometimes lead to pregnancy if you ovulate early, so there is no completely “safe” time without contraception. Learn your fertile mucus and have regular intercourse around the right time. Your Fertility+1

• 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 (12 months of trying if you are under 35, or 6 months if you are 35 or older), then you should let your doctor or fertility specialist know. Mayo Clinic

• You have a problem with your womb. It may be an issue that started at birth or maybe your uterus has an abnormal shape. Also, previous septic abortion or repeated uterine surgery can cause Asherman syndrome (scar tissue in the womb) which can reduce your chances of pregnancy.
  Solution— Inform your doctor.

• You are more than the age expected to get pregnant. Fertility slowly declines from your early 30s and faster after 35. If you are no longer having periods, then you’re likely in menopause, and it is very hard to get pregnant naturally at this stage.
  Solution— Inform your fertility doctor for more advice and to discuss options early. Mayo Clinic

• The sperm from your partner is abnormal with low quality. Low sperm count and impaired sperm motility can affect your chances of getting pregnant.
  Solution— Let your partner get a fertility test done including semen analysis.

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Frequently asked questions about fertile cervical mucus

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

How does cervical fluid after conception look like?

Cervical fluid after conception is often more sticky or thick clear/white mucus without vaginal itching or bad smell. Some women may have light brown or pink mucus discharge from “old blood”, which can sometimes be due to implantation bleeding, but this is not a sure sign of pregnancy.

What does cervical mucus early pregnancy look like?

Cervical mucus in early pregnancy is usually thicker and more creamy or milky white. Some women also notice that they have “more than usual” discharge, but this varies a lot between women and is not a reliable way on its own to confirm pregnancy.

When does watery cervical mucus occur?

Around ovulation, the mucus from your vagina becomes clearer, more slippery and watery. It is a sign you’re in your fertile days. Regular intercourse during this time can lead to pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic+1

What does cervical mucus after ovulation look like?

After ovulation, your cervical mucus often becomes thicker and white again or may feel sticky. Normal secretions can look white or yellow when they dry on your underwear. If you notice a strong odor, greenish color, or itching, you should see a doctor to rule out infection. MedlinePlus

How does cervical mucus before period looks like?

Cervical mucus before your period is usually thick, clear or white mucus. It has no strong bad odor and does not cause vaginal itching. If you have pain, burning, or a fishy smell, please see your doctor.

How long does white cervical discharge last?

Egg white–type discharge just before ovulation is a sign that you are fertile and can get pregnant. It usually does not last more than about three to four days. Your discharge will become more watery when ovulation occurs and then thicker again after ovulation.

What does it mean when you have egg white discharge?

If your vaginal discharge is egg white and stretchy, then you’re in your most fertile days and will soon ovulate. If you are trying to get pregnant, this is one of the best times 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, normal discharge does not itch and has no strong unpleasant 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 and needs medical treatment. MedlinePlus

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 or very slippery, then you’re probably in your fertile days close to ovulation.

If you have persistent discharge with pain, itching, bleeding between periods, or you have been trying to conceive without success, please talk to your doctor or fertility specialist for proper evaluation. MedlinePlus+1