Cervical Mucus

Why you need to know about cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus is one of the way to predict ovulation. And why ovulation is so crucial for fertility? Just because sperm must meet an egg shortly after it is released from the ovary in order to conceive. Since it is possible sperm to survive in the female body for several days, it is possible to get pregnant if you make sex before the day of the ovulation. Having intercourse before the day of ovulation or two days before is considered optimal. That's why tracking ovulation can be very important in your efforts to conceive and understanding the signs of cervical mucus is very helpful.

What is the Cervical Mucus?

The cervix is the opening to the uterus and is inside the vagina. It usually produces a thick jelly-like mucus that protects the uterus from outside substances. When ovulation approaches, the cervical mucus changes to a more liquid, transparent, thin and stretchy fluid. This called Spinnbarkeit mucus, or for short "Spinn" mucus. This mucus is easier to go through. Its protective function is loosened and instead serves to create a favorable environment for the the sperm to easily swim and enter the uterus where it will meet the release egg.

How to measure cervical mucus?

To check your cervical mucus, wash your hands and carefully insert a finger into your vagina. Find the cervix at the end of the vaginal canal and touch the tip of it or move your finger around it. Now, remove your finger from your vagina and press that finger and your thumb together. Carefully pull apart your fingers and watch the mucus that stretches between them. Do all this very slowly so that you can stretch the mucus as much as possible before it breaks and have time to observe it. If it stretches an inch or 2-3 cm before it breaks, this is suggestive of Spinn mucus and is a sign of approaching ovulation. Fertile mucus is like egg white and is thinner.

One of the best ways to spot the fertility day of ovulation is to pay close attention to cervical mucus changes. Many women would rather not use this method, but counter intuitively, it is one of the best signs coming straight from your body and more over, it is free.