Fertility Signs and Indicators |
Cervical Fluid There are various types of cervical fluid that are present during a woman's cycle. Some of these types of fluid are more friendly to sperm than others. After intercourse, the sperm, if not in the presence of fertile cervical fluid, will live only a few hours. However, in good quality fertile cervical fluid, sperm can live up to 5 days. Good quality cervical fluid has a consistency similar to egg whites: shimmery, clear, slippery. Additionally, this fertile cervical fluid will stretch from 2 to 10 inches. Often fertile cervical fluid (called EWCM for egg white cervical mucus or EWCF for egg white cervical fluid) is confused with the presence of semen or vaginal arousal fluids. To differentiate from semen and fertile cervical fluid, place a small amount in a glass of water. Fertile cervical fluid will form a small ball and sink. Semen or arousal fluids will dissipate and dissolve. EWCF also feels more slippery and has more elasticity than semen. Seminal fluids will not stretch and will evaporate on the fingertips very quickly. In short, if it stretches 2 inches or more, then it is almost certainly EWCF. Anytime EWCF is found and pregnancy is desired, then the couple should have intercourse during this fertile period. Intercourse should continue for several days until ovulation is confirmed. The frequency of intercourse that is optimal for achieving pregnancy ranges from once a day to once every 3 days. However, sperm can live in fertile cervical fluid for up to 5 days. While EWCF is the most fertile type of cervical fluid due to its ability to nourish sperm and its alkaline nature, pregnancy can be achieved with other types of cervical fluids. Watery cervical fluid is also conducive to sperm survival. Often a woman will not be able to see EWCF. That does not mean that it is not present, but just means that it is not visible externally. Often a post coital test (a medical test where the fluids in the cervix are examined for the presence of live sperm a few hours after intercourse) will show abundant internal EWCF. Thus, lack of external EWCF is not cause for alarm, but if pregnancy is not achieved within a year, then a post coital test should be performed to determine if "hostile mucus" is a factor in the lack of conception. In a study, Robitussin (an over the counter medication that contains the active ingredient of guaifenesin) was shown to increase the occurrence of pregnancy in couples where "hostile mucus" was the only known factor for lack of conception. (Please see the Robitussin section for more information on this subject.) When timing intercourse by using cervical fluid as a fertility sign for pregnancy achievement, the presence of EWCF should be noted on the chart, and intercourse should occur on the days in which this very fertile fluid is observed. Intercourse should continue for 2-3 days after EWCF was last observed in order to cover all the possible ovulation days. EWCF can occur as many as 10 days prior to ovulation, but most typically there are only 1-3 days of EWCF prior to ovulation occurring. Many women report that they seem "drier" on the day that they ovulate and that their best day of EWCF occurred the day prior to ovulation. Additionally, sometimes EWCF will appear the day after ovulation has occurred in some cycles. In less common cases, trace amounts of EWCF can also appear in the luteal phase (the period of time after ovulation and before the menses). However, abundant EWCF is usually reserved for the time period immediately preceding ovulation. Clomid, a fertility drug, has been known to interfere with the production of cervical fluid. (For further information on clomid, please refer to the clomid fact sheet.) The cycles following a miscarriage can also produce unusual patterns in cervical fluid, making EWCF appear abundantly at odd times in the cycle, including during menses and during the luteal phase (after ovulation), when it normally would not be present. (Please see the section on miscarriage for more information on EWCF following a miscarriage.) Cervical fluid can present itself in many forms when a pregnancy is achieved. In very early pregnancies, cervical fluid can be creamy, yellowish, very watery, or non-existent. The existance of cervical fluid, or lack of it, is not a good early indicator of pregnancy, as it varies so much from woman to woman. |
Cervical Fluid There are various types of cervical fluid that are present during a woman's cycle. Some of these types of fluid are more friendly to sperm than others. After intercourse, the sperm, if not in the presence of fertile cervical fluid, will live only a few hours. However, in good quality fertile cervical fluid, sperm can live up to 5 days. Good quality cervical fluid has a consistency similar to egg whites: shimmery, clear, slippery. Additionally, this fertile cervical fluid will stretch from 2 to 10 inches. Often fertile cervical fluid (called EWCM for egg white cervical mucus or EWCF for egg white cervical fluid) is confused with the presence of semen or vaginal arousal fluids. To differentiate from semen and fertile cervical fluid, place a small amount in a glass of water. Fertile cervical fluid will form a small ball and sink. Semen or arousal fluids will dissipate and dissolve. EWCF also feels more slippery and has more elasticity than semen. Seminal fluids will not stretch and will evaporate on the fingertips very quickly. In short, if it stretches 2 inches or more, then it is almost certainly EWCF. Anytime EWCF is found and pregnancy is desired, then the couple should have intercourse during this fertile period. Intercourse should continue for several days until ovulation is confirmed. The frequency of intercourse that is optimal for achieving pregnancy ranges from once a day to once every 3 days. However, sperm can live in fertile cervical fluid for up to 5 days. While EWCF is the most fertile type of cervical fluid due to its ability to nourish sperm and its alkaline nature, pregnancy can be achieved with other types of cervical fluids. Watery cervical fluid is also conducive to sperm survival. Often a woman will not be able to see EWCF. That does not mean that it is not present, but just means that it is not visible externally. Often a post coital test (a medical test where the fluids in the cervix are examined for the presence of live sperm a few hours after intercourse) will show abundant internal EWCF. Thus, lack of external EWCF is not cause for alarm, but if pregnancy is not achieved within a year, then a post coital test should be performed to determine if "hostile mucus" is a factor in the lack of conception. In a study, Robitussin (an over the counter medication that contains the active ingredient of guaifenesin) was shown to increase the occurrence of pregnancy in couples where "hostile mucus" was the only known factor for lack of conception. (Please see the Robitussin section for more information on this subject.) When timing intercourse by using cervical fluid as a fertility sign for pregnancy achievement, the presence of EWCF should be noted on the chart, and intercourse should occur on the days in which this very fertile fluid is observed. Intercourse should continue for 2-3 days after EWCF was last observed in order to cover all the possible ovulation days. EWCF can occur as many as 10 days prior to ovulation, but most typically there are only 1-3 days of EWCF prior to ovulation occurring. Many women report that they seem "drier" on the day that they ovulate and that their best day of EWCF occurred the day prior to ovulation. Additionally, sometimes EWCF will appear the day after ovulation has occurred in some cycles. In less common cases, trace amounts of EWCF can also appear in the luteal phase (the period of time after ovulation and before the menses). However, abundant EWCF is usually reserved for the time period immediately preceding ovulation. Clomid, a fertility drug, has been known to interfere with the production of cervical fluid. (For further information on clomid, please refer to the clomid fact sheet.) The cycles following a miscarriage can also produce unusual patterns in cervical fluid, making EWCF appear abundantly at odd times in the cycle, including during menses and during the luteal phase (after ovulation), when it normally would not be present. (Please see the section on miscarriage for more information on EWCF following a miscarriage.) Cervical fluid can present itself in many forms when a pregnancy is achieved. In very early pregnancies, cervical fluid can be creamy, yellowish, very watery, or non-existent. The existance of cervical fluid, or lack of it, is not a good early indicator of pregnancy, as it varies so much from woman to woman. |
Fertility Signs and Indicators |
