How Cervical Mucus (CM) and Position Helps You Get Pregnant [How To Guide]

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Cervical Mucus Fluid - Featured Image There are a number of things you can do to detect when you're fertile and when you ovulate.

In this article we will be focusing on the natural fertility signs that your cervix and cervical mucus provides each cycle.

It's easy and effective to learn when you're fertile by checking your cervical mucus (also known as cervical fluid) and/or checking your cervix position and texture.



Here's 4 reasons why you need to read this article;

  1. Having sex on the wrong days essentially means sperm will NOT reach your egg.
  2. You're going to learn how your cervix controls the transport of sperm and use this knowledge to your advantage.
  3. Understanding when to have sex based on mucus type can increase your chances of conception from 0% to 30%.
  4. Step-by-step "how-to" instructions and images will help you quickly learn this.

While some methods of detecting fertility and ovulation rely on apparatus that you are required to buy (such as a basal body temperature thermometer or ovulation prediction kits) cervix and cervical fluid monitoring doesn't require you to purchase anything.

All you need to do is be aware of the natural signs your body provides each cycle.

Hormones that control your menstrual cycle are responsible for the pattern of changes that occur in your cervix and cervical mucus.

Once you know these patterns you can time sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation to increase your chances of getting pregnant sooner. We will be explaining when the best days are, later in this article.

We will also cover ways to increase and thin your cervical mucus, to help sperm reach your egg easier.

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What is the cervix?

The cervix is a dynamic part of the female reproductive system which helps facilitate the journey of sperm during ovulation. At other times, the cervix prevents sperm from entering the uterus. It can be described as the gateway to the uterus, acting as both a barrier and transport for sperm, depending on the phase of the cycle.

The cervix. Gateway to the uterus, acting as both a barrier and transport for sperm

It's a cylinder of muscle tissue about one inch long that connects the top of the vagina to the uterus. The length and texture of the cervix changes during the cycle.

The following image shows the position of the cervix. Note how it connects the vagina to the uterus. The part of the cervix on the vagina side is called the 'ectocervix' and it looks like a small doughnut with a small hole in the center. The opening in the center is called the 'external os'. The canal inside the cervix is called the 'endocervix', the opening at the uterus end is called the 'internal os'.

Position of the cervix. Note how it connects the vagina to the uterus

The cervix also has a role during birth, when it dilates up to 10 cm to allow a baby to pass through from the womb.

Cervix changes

Your cervix changes during the fertile phase of your cycle. You can observe the changes by feeling your cervix and we'll show you how to do this step-by-step below.

Below is a typical pattern of cervix changes you can expect to observe.

Before Fertile Phase

Before your fertile phase your cervix will feel hard (like the tip of your nose) and be lower in the vagina, closed and dry (no cervical fluid).

Fertile Phase

As you enter your fertile window and approach ovulation your cervix will change. It will feel softer (like your lips), higher, open and wet (due to the presence of cervical fluid). This is known as "SHOW" (soft, high, open, wet) - your most fertile state.

After Fertile Phase

After ovulation, the cervix reverts back to its infertile position.

Typical pattern of cervix changes you can expect to observe

Note: Cervix changes occur slowly as ovulation approaches, but revert quickly after ovulation.

Real cervix images

Below are 33 real cervix images, an excellent way for you to visualize an entire cycle of cervix changes so you know what to feel and look for when monitoring. If you wish to view these, please tap on Expand Real Cervix Images.

Cervix Day 1

Cervix Day 2

Blood - Red, clotty and heavy flow.


What is cervical mucus?

In response to hormones that control the menstrual cycle, glands in the cervix produce a substance known as cervical mucus, also known as 'CM', cervical fluid (CF), vaginal discharge, vaginal secretions or cervical secretions.

Glands in the cervix produce a substance known as cervical mucus

A good way to understand cervical mucus is to compare it to the mucus that comes out of your nose. If you blow your nose when you don't have a cold, you may not notice any mucus, or you may notice a hard sticky mucus. If you touch it, it feels tacky. When you have cold or allergy the mucus contains higher levels of water and becomes runny and feels slippery.

Your cervical fluid also goes through several changes in appearance and texture, changing from sticky/tacky to slippery, also due to rising levels of water content.

It changes for a reason, to allow sperm or prevent sperm and bacteria from entering your uterus. You'll learn more about these physical changes of the cervix in the next section.

When the hormone estrogen is high (during the days leading up to ovulation) the structure of cervical mucus allows sperm to swim through it.

At other times during the menstrual cycle, the structure of cervical mucus presents a barrier to sperm and plugs the cervical canal to prevent any bacteria entering the uterus. See the images below.

Structure of cervical mucus presents a barrier to sperm

The daily production of cervical mucus comes from cells that line several hundred glands in the cervix. Depending on the phase of the cycle, production can vary from 600 mg before ovulation to 20-60 mg at other times.1

Cervical mucus is a natural and healthy substance that provides sperm with an optimal environment to survive and swim. It's similar to semen in the way that both help sperm survive.

It's mostly made up of water (about 93%, increasing to 98% before ovulation). It also contains electrolytes, glucose and proteins.2

Note: Cervical fluid is not to be confused with vaginal fluid, the latter of which is a lubricative fluid that can be produced during sexual arousal anytime during the menstrual cycle.

Cervical mucus changes

When trying to get pregnant, it makes sense to regularly check your cervical fluid/mucus. The advantage of checking and learning your pattern of changes is a better understanding of your body and when you're most fertile.

You can observe changes in cervical mucus from the vulva (the external genitals including the labia and vagina opening) or internally, we show you how to do both step-by-step below.

You can examine the toilet tissue after using the bathroom, but it can be beneficial to carry out both external and internal observations.

Some women find it hard to interpret their fertility by external mucus observations alone. Internal observation helps by obtaining mucus directly from the cervix opening. You're also more likely to notice mucus earlier than you would see it at the vulva.

We asked 29,523 women who are trying to get pregnant how they were checking their cervical fluid. Only 13% said they were using their fingers. Here are the full results.

Cervix observations survey result

The pattern of changes in cervical mucus

Take a look at the pattern of changes you can expect to see during a typical cycle.

Beginning of cycle

The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period. During period days blood is passing through the cervix.

After your period

After your period, you may not notice any cervical mucus (dry days). After the dry days your cervix discharge will start. Rising hormone levels cause your cervix to produce mucus that is often described as sticky, tacky or pasty.

Approaching ovulation

As you approach ovulation and enter your fertile window, increasing levels of the hormone estrogen cause your cervix to produce a mucus with higher water content, making it become creamy.

Just before ovulation

At peak fertility, your cervical mucus looks and feels like raw egg white (clear, slippery and stretchy), often referred to as EWCM (egg white cervical mucus). Using a finger and thumb you should be able to stretch it more than an inch without it breaking. This is really fertile cervical mucus and it provides the best environment for sperm.

At the time of ovulation

Your cervical mucus may become more watery and reach its maximum in quantity after peak fertility, but it's not as fertile as the raw egg type.

After ovulation

After ovulation cervical mucus starts to become sticky again and then dry up until your next period (about 10 to 14 days later).

The pattern of changes in cervical mucus

Note: It's possible to see two or more waves of fertile cervical mucus. This can happen when your body prepares to ovulate but ovulation doesn't occur. Your cervical mucus dries up. Then your body prepares to ovulate again and so the cervical mucus shows again. This is known as the "double peak pattern" and is explained in more detail later.

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Step-by-step "how-to" instructions to check your cervix and cervical mucus (CM)

The following steps will show you how to check your cervix and cervical fluid/mucus. You may choose to do both of these observations at the same time (internal observations) or only the external observations of cervical mucus/fluid.

In order to avoid repetition, the "How To" steps include instructions for both:

Internal Cervix and Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations Internal Cervix and CM Observations

External Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations External Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations


We believe this is a better way to teach you how to carry out the observations. For this reason, some of the steps will be split into two sections, one for the internal observations and one for external observations.

It's a good idea to observe your cervix and cervical mucus pattern over a few cycles to ensure you are confident in identifying the changes.

Step 1 - When to check

Internal Cervix and Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations Internal Cervix and CM Observations

Begin checking after your period ends. Check one to two times a day, but not straight after sleeping or after a bowel movement (you may get inaccurate cervix results due to relaxed muscles).

External Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations External CM Observations

Start checking after your period ends. You can check each time you go to the toilet, before and after urination.

Step 2 - Hygiene and safety

Always clean your hands with soap and water before checking. Don't do internal observations with long or sharp fingernails.

Step 3 - Locating your cervix

This step only applies for Internal Cervix and CM Observations, if you are only performing External CM Observations, please go to step 4.

Your cervix is the part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It's at the top of your vagina; about 3 to 6 inches inside.

The cervix is the part of the uterus that opens into the vagina

You can locate your cervix by sitting on an open toilet and inserting your index and middle fingers into your vagina to touch your cervix. You can also sit on the edge of your bed or even stand up and raise one foot onto your bed. If you're doing internal cervical mucus observations at the same time (covered below), you can use two fingers.

Locate your cervix by sitting on an open toilet and inserting your index and middle fingers into your vagina to touch your cervix

Depending on the phase of your cycle, your cervix may be higher or lower in the vagina. If you cannot reach it, try pushing your abdomen in and down with your other hand. If you still cannot reach it, it's a good sign that your cervix is high, indicating you're in your fertile phase.

Step 4 - How to check

Internal Cervix and Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations Internal Cervix and CM Observations

Your cervix is shaped like a small doughnut with a small hole in the center. Some people describe it like the small end of a pear with the stem removed.

Cervix is shaped like a small doughnut with a small hole in the center

Reach as far as you can into your vagina and feel your cervix with the tips of your fingers.

Note: It's not uncommon to find that that your cervix is tilted to one side, so feel around.

You should be able to feel a small indentation where the cervix opening is.

Small indentation where the cervix opening is

Cervix - As described above, your cervix will change from an infertile state to a fertile state before ovulation, and then revert back to its infertile state after ovulation. Check the firmness, does it feel soft like your lips, or firm like your nose. Check the position, is it high or low in the vagina. Check the opening, does it feel open or closed? Check the moistness, does it feel wet or dry.

CM - To collect CM for observation, open your fingers and place your fingertips either side of your cervix and slowly move your fingers from the sides of the cervix to the top, until your fingers are together again.

Withdraw your fingers and look at your fingertips for signs of mucus by slowly separating your fingertips.

External Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations External CM Observations

You can check with toilet tissue or by feeling your vulva and its sensations.

Toilet tissue - Using white toilet tissue, fold it and wipe yourself from front to back observe the feeling, does it feel dry, slippery, wet? Look at the toilet tissue, do you see anything? Lift the mucus off the tissue and observe it between your finger and thumb.

Vulva observations - Pay attention to sensations at the vulva, does it feel dry, tacky, moist, slippery, wet? Gently feel your vulva areas and pay attention to how it feels.

Step 5 - Identifying and recording the changes

Internal Cervix and Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations Internal Cervix and CM Observations

Cervix - How did it feel - was it soft or firm, lower or higher, open or closed, wet or dry? Or somewhere in between? Take a note of what your felt.

- SHOW (soft, high, open, wet)
- Medium (in between)
- FLCD (firm, low, closed, dry)

CM - Cervical mucus tends to start out as thick or tacky, then as it gets more fluidly it becomes creamy, then stretchy (raw egg white), then more fluidly (watery) before drying up.

Separate your fingers to see how far it stretches. Dry / tacky mucus won't stretch at all, stretchy mucus will typically cling to your fingers and can stretch from anywhere between an inch to about 4 inches. You are less fertile when you have sticky / tacky mucus and more fertile when you can stretch your mucus over an inch.

Cervical mucus type observed (none/dry, sticky/tacky, thick/creamy, raw egg white, watery)


Take a note of the presence and mucus type observed (none/dry, sticky/tacky, thick/creamy, raw egg white, watery).

External Cervical Mucus (CM) Observations External CM Observations

Record the presence and type of mucus you observed from the external observation (none/dry, sticky/tacky, thick/creamy, raw egg white, watery).


Both external & internal - If you are using Ovulation Calculator to help you get pregnant, log the result in your daily log at the end of the day. In the case of multiple types of mucus throughout the day, record the most-fertile type.

Quick reference of cervix and mucus changes

Time in cycle

Cervix feeling

Mucus appearance, texture

Sensation

Fertility rating

After period

Firm, Low, Closed, Dry

None/Dry

Dry

Not fertile

After dry days

Firm, Low, Opening, Dry

Sticky/Tacky

Sticky

Not fertile

Approaching ovulation

Soft, Higher, Opening, Wet

Creamy, cloudy, whitish, yellowish. Thick and does not stretch.

Moist

Fertile

Just before ovulation

Soft, Highest, Open, Wet

Slippery, looks and feels like raw egg white

Slippery

Most-fertile

Ovulation

Soft, Higher, Open, Wet

Watery

Liquid

Fertile

After ovulation

Hard, Lower, Closing, Dry

Sticky, then dries up until next cycle

Sticky or dry

Not fertile

Best days to try and conceive

Conception is unlikely to occur if you don't have sex during your fertile window. Your fertile window is a 6-day interval ending on the day of ovulation. The start of this window normally corresponds to a rise in hormones which results in the cervix producing cervical mucus.

A study in Italy found that the probability of conception is essentially zero on days with no cervical mucus. This increased dramatically to 30% on days with the most fertile-type cervical mucus.

If you're trying to get pregnant the best days to have sex are usually the two days before you ovulate. This is normally when your cervix is in its fertile state (SHOW) and your cervical fluid resembles raw egg white and can be stretched more than an inch.

Increase your chances by having sex on the two best days each cycle, get started.

Causes of low cervical mucus

Some women only have a small amount of mucus and for a small proportion of women they may not notice mucus at all. In some circumstances the lack of mucus is due to inadequate estrogen levels, but in others it may be due to lifestyle factors that may just need a little adjusting.

Here are some causes of a lack of cervical mucus;

  1. Hormonal imbalance
  2. Nutrition deficiency
  3. Medications
  4. Infections
  5. Douching (vaginal washing)
  6. Weight (being under/over weight)

10 Tips to improve cervical mucus

Here are some of the things you can do to increase the quantity and quality of your mucus naturally:

  1. Stop smoking - Smoking alters how the hormone estrogen is metabolised by the body.
  2. Avoid toxins - Soap or body wash interferes with the delicate pH balance of the vagina and mucus. Cut out these chemicals to improve cervical mucus.
  3. Maintain a healthy weight - If you are overweight or underweight it is very likely that your delicate hormone balance is disrupted. Good estrogen levels are needed to make quality cervical mucus.
  4. Avoid lubrication - This may interfere with your observations but also restricts the movement of sperm. If you do need to use lubrication during sex, use only lubrication that is "sperm friendly".
  5. Avoid some medications - such as antihistamines, which can decrease the amount of mucus. However, do not cease any prescribed medication until you have discussed this with your doctor.
  6. Stay hydrated - Drink plenty of water, at least 2 litres a day.
  7. Avoid high doses of Vitamin C supplements - These may have the effect of drying mucus so make sure you are taking no more than the recommended dose or better still, rather than taking supplements ensure that Vitamin C is present in your daily diet.
  8. Eat foods with high alkaline properties - Although there is no conclusive evidence, it is believed that eating such foods may improve mucus. Enjoy foods like celery, cabbage, kale, pumpkins, watercress and almonds and avoid highly acidic foods like beef, pork, bacon, wheat, corn and some dairy such as cheese and cow"s milk.
  9. Take Evening Primrose Oil - Taking this in the first half of your cycle (up until predicted ovulation) may help to improve cervical mucus.
  10. Take L-Arginine - This is an essential amino acid that is believed to improve the fluidity and production of cervical mucus as well as looking after your general reproductive health.

If after trying these natural solutions you do not notice any improvement in your cervical mucus, consult your doctor about other options.

Double peak pattern

You only ovulate once per cycle, but your body may go through multiple attempts during a particular cycle.

Here's what can happen;

As your body prepares to ovulate cervical mucus shows, but if ovulation does not occur, cervical mucus can dry up for a few days. A few days later your body prepares to ovulate again, cervical mucus shows up again. This is known as a "double peak", but it can also happen more than twice.

What is a "peak day"? The peak day is known as the last day of more-fertile cervical mucus before drying up.

Cervical mucus after conception / implantation

Many women notice a white or clear creamy mucus after implantation. This is sometimes mixed with a little blood and so can also have a tint of brown or pink colour.

Implantation is when a fertilized egg (ovum) attaches to the wall of the uterus. Some women experience implantation bleeding at this time. After implantation, increasing amounts of the hormone progesterone cause the cervix to produce mucus.

Mucus is required in early pregnancy as it forms a plug in the cervical canal to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. However, not all women experience cervical mucus after conception.

Conclusion

Learning how to observe the changes in your cervix and cervical mucus can help you get pregnant sooner.

With some practice you'll be able to detect these changes to help you pinpoint ovulation.

The best time to have sex when trying to conceive is within the two days leading up to ovulation.


Calculate when these two days are for you
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Infographic "how-to" guide

To help you remember these steps, take a look at the following infographic.

Cervix and Cervical Mucus Observations Step-by-Step Infographic

Click here to see a larger view of the infographic

Embed the Cervical Mucus and Cervix Observations infographic on your site (copy embed code below):
<div style="clear:both"><a href="https://www.ovulationcalculator.com/cervix-cervical-mucus/"><img src="https://www.ovulationcalculator.comhttps://www.ovulationcalculator.com/img/uploads/2016/06/cervix-cervical-mucus-InfoGraphic.png" title="Cervical Mucus and Cervix Observations" alt="Cervical Mucus and Cervix Observations" border="0" /></a></div><div>Courtesy of: <a href="https://www.ovulationcalculator.com/cervix-cervical-mucus/">Ovulation Calculator</a></div>

Philip Druce

By Philip Druce, Founder of Ovulation Calculator

References:
1: Insights into the role of mucus and vaginal pH in unexplained infertility
2: Large Scale Identification of Proteins, Mucins, and Their O-Glycosylation in the Endocervical Mucus during the Menstrual Cycle
3: Mucus secretions on the day of intercourse: An accurate marker of highly fertile days
Got a question or a comment? Please post it below.

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  1. Jane Aug 22, 2018
    This app is so educative.
    Reply
  2. Ibe Oct 09, 2018
    How many days to my ovulation am I likely to cervical mucus
    Reply
  3. Ibe Oct 09, 2018
    I ave three girls and now I want a boy on which day of my fertilized days can I ave intercourse with my man that can give us a boy?
    1. Vivian: Same here please - (Nov 12, 2018)
    2. Dj: Hello Ibe, we're on the same boat!!! i have 2 girls and now we want the boy as well. The best day is the same day you ovulate or the day before at the very least! Its still a 50-50.The X sperms (the girls) are bigger and stronger AND stay alive longer. The Y sperm (the boys) are smaller and faster but the die faster as well, so the best way to help them get where we want them to is by having sex on the closest possible day to ovulation or the day of in order to increase their chances of getting to the egg. Another thing you can do to help them is choosing certain sex positions. The deeper the penetration the closer the sperms will be to the egg, so doggy style is a good one as well as him on top, you laying on the bed with your legs wrapped around his neck. Remember to not stand up right away afterwards and keep your booty from waist to hips on an incline for at least 20 minutes (you can use a couple of pillows right under your booty to help yourself) Hope this helps. Good luck!!!! - (Nov 20, 2018)
    Reply
  4. Damilola Oct 26, 2018
    You mentioned that overweight and underweight affect d hormone balance, my question is what is the acceptable or normal body weight required?
    Reply
  5. Ameeaht Oct 26, 2018
    Please during my fertile window i always have pain on my left side at lowest my stomach,pls is it normal and when is the best time to do the ovulation test
    Reply

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