Cervical Mucus After Ovulation

Cervical mucus after ovulation or left over semen -- isn't it hard to tell the difference? What you will notice you are dryer after ovulation and you might not feel as comfortable.

As ovulation approaches, your cervical mucus is getting more and more fertile. After ovulation it turns back to the sticky, creamy or crumby consistency which is dry and viscous. It is not fertile anymore and does not nourish the sperm.

Cervical mucus after ovulation varies from cycle to cycle and is different for each woman, yet there are some general characteristics which you can look for. Cervical mucus either dries up or disappears, or it turns sticky or creamy. The cervical mucus after ovulation might be very similar to the CM immediately after your period. It returns to BIP or basic infertile pattern. However, some women who got pregnant said they had a lot of post-ovulatory creamy cervical mucus. Getting such CM does not ensure you are pregnant. Do not rely too much on this signs for predicting pregnancy. Be patient and make your pregnancy test after the expected day of your next cycle.

After ovulation the cervix becomes low and firm. It is usually plugged by thick mucus so that sperm cannot penetrate. The sensation of dryness may be present as a sign that the ovulation has past.

It is best to use several methods to track your fertility and your pregnancy.

How to distinguish between cervical mucus and sperm?

The biggest difference is the consistency. The semen breaks up easily, while the CM is slippery and watery. If you have semen between your fingers and pad it with your thumb it will glob up or disappear. Cervical mucus is more elastic and can stretch.

Seminal fluid tends to be thin and dries up quickly on your fingers. It also has a "spermie" smell which varies from men to men and from day to day. The seminal fluid is colder, blob-like, thick and goopy. The cervical mucus is more stretchy and warmer and can stay longer without disappearing if you pad it with your thumb.

If you are trying to record your CM after ovulation and you wonder what it is like, but you are not sure, just try the next day without baby dance and you will have a clearer picture.