Natural Fertility Signs For TTCing Mommas
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There are three different natural ways to monitor your fertility. The
methods are by Basal Body Temperature, Cervical Fluid, and Cervical
Position. These three indicators, when combined with charting, can be
very effective ways to track your cycles, letting you know just when
you are ovulating, and helping you increase your chances of conceiving.
*-* What is a Basal Body Temperature?
BBT is the temperature of your body before any activity. Taken every
morning, before you get out of bed, before ANY activity, with a basal
thermometer, it's your body's baseline temp. Most women find that their
body temperature is lower during the first part of their cycle. It will
usually rise slightly (between 0.4 and 0.8 F) on the day of ovulation.
It will usually stay up until just before the start of the next period.
If a pregnancy occurs, temps stay up past the day that the next period
should begin.
*-* What type of thermometer do I use?
For most women, 96 to 98 degrees taken orally is considered normal
before ovulation and 97 to 99 after. The changes are small fractions
(from 1/10 to 1/2 degree). To register these small variations
accurately, it's recommended that you use a Basal thermometer. They
only register from 96 to 100 degrees F. You can find them online or at
your local drug store.
*-* What is cervical mucus and how does it change?
Cervical mucus is produced by the lining of a woman's cervical canal.
during her monthly cycles. Immediately after menstruation, most women
have several days of "no mucus" or dryness. It then usually becomes
cloudy and tacky, then changing to clear and slippery just before
ovulation. During this clear and slippery, "egg white" phase, it also
will stretch between the fingers. This is a sign you are in your most
ertile phase.
*-* How can I check cervical mucus?
You can check her mucus in several ways, depending on which is most
comfortable for you. Some of the options are:
wipe the vaginal opening with toilet tissue before urination
observe the discharge on underpants
obtain some of the mucus by placing your fingers (making sure they are
clean) in the vagina.
When checking the mucus, be sure to note the color. It may be white,
creamy, opaque, or clear.
Early mucus is usually described by one of these terms: Scanty, not a
lot present, the consistency is thick and sticky, it usually holds it
shape. The color is white or opaque.
Next there is "Transitional stage". Some of the characteristics of this
stage are: Increasing amounts of mucus, mucus will be thinner, and
cloudy in appearance and color. At this stage, it is slightly stretchy.
The final stage before ovulation is the "Highly fertile stage". At this
time, mucus will usually be visible in profuse amounts. It's thin, and
transparent. It's often called "egg white cervical mucus" because of
its stretchy properties.
*-* What is cervical position, and how do I check it?
During your cycle, your cervix changes it position. Monitoring this,
can help you track your fertile periods. You should begin checking your
cervical position at the end of your period and check it daily, and
preferably, at the same time of day.
There are several positions you can use to check the positioning.
Experiment with each, and find which is the most comfortable one for
you. It's important that once you decide on a position, you
consistently use the same one.
Many women find that sitting on the toilet is a easy position to use,
while others prefer to squat or place one foot up on the toilet or tub,
while the other is on the floor. You will need to use one hand to hold
back the vaginal lips, while inserting the other hand's middle finger
into your vagina. Move your finger up until you hit your cervix. It
should feel like a rounded cylinder shaped mass within your body. Note
the position you find. Does it see far back? lower down? During the
beginning of your cycle, and after ovulation, your cervix is in a low
position. It raises to the higher position just before and during
ovulation. If you are unsure at first which is high and which is low, a
guideline is when high your cervix is almost unreachable with you
fingertip. You could also ask your OB/GYN or other health care provider
to help you find your cervix during your yearly well woman exam, if you
find you are still having difficulties checking.
*-* Ok, so now I know how to do all this....now what?
Now that you know the three types of natural fertility signs, you are
probably asking yourself how to use them together to track your
fertility. Many women keep a daily chart of all three signs. These
charts over a period of months, help you track your cycles and
ovulation fairly accurately. You can download a printable BBT chart to
record your "signs" on.
There are a lot more things on this site refering to TTC info. I hope
this helps with some of the questions referring to mucus and temping.