Trying to Get Pregnant

talk to me about CM (maybe TMI?)

Since I just started charting I am new to all of this. for those of you who chart your CM - how do you do it and what do you look for? Are you inserting your finger or just going by what is there when you use the restroom? Are you also checking your cervix position - I feel like I would have no idea what to look for there lol. I have taken notice of my CM over the last few months - but by notice I mean that I see more of it a couple days a month LOL. What do you look for? I know they saw EWCM is most fertile, but I'm not sure I'm looking for. Does this show up before, during, or after O? I don't really notice much CM during the whole cycle, I just notice that a few days around when I assume I'm O'ing (based on the length of past cycles - and I will see if this is correct now that I'm charting) that there seems to be a lot more when I use the restroom. 

Sorry if this is a stupid question or a TMI. TIA. 

Re: talk to me about CM (maybe TMI?)

  • hgqbpqhgqbpq member
    I notice it when I go to the bathroom. It's on the tissue if I have any CM so I've never had to do any internal detective work. My cycles go like this: dry after AF for a few days, then sometimes a little creamy or watery CM for a few days, then EWCM starts, then back to creamy immediately after O and then usually dry for a few days before AF.  I get a lot of creamy CM after O too...it's very distinct along with the temp shift.  I never noticed this CM cycle until I started charting. I don't check my cervix right now.  Just chart CM and temp. 
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  • I copied this from babymed.com. Hope this helps some. 

    The cervical mucus is produced by the cervix and changes consistency throughout your menstrual cycle based on hormones associated with ovulation. Shortly after the menstrual period ends, the cervical mucus is dry and prevents sperm from penetrating the cervix. About a week before ovulation, under the influence of estrogen, cervical mucus becomes abundant, sticky, and thick. Cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle based on 28-Day Cycle and in relation to ovulation:

    Cervical mucus changes according to ovulation and your menstrual cycle.

    • Cycle Day 1-5: Menstrual bleeding
    • Menses Cycle 6-9 (5-8 days before ovulation): Dry; little or no mucus
    • Cycle Day 10-12 (2-4 days before ovulation): Sticky thick mucus, becoming less thick and whiter
    • Cycle Day 13-15 (1-2 days before and after ovulation): Egg-white or "spinnbarkeit" mucus (most fertile time): thin, elastic, slippery, stretchy, clear
    • Cycle Day 16-21 (2+ days after ovulation): Sticky, thick mucus (Less fertile/infertile)
    • Cycle Day 22-28: Dry mucus

    I check my cm daily using my index finger because I don't get enough cm on toilet paper to really observe it. I also check my cervix. Normally your cervix will be low, firm and closed right after your period and then it will be high open and soft right before ovulation. I would suggest checking out the babymed.com website. It has a lot of info about all of this.

  • acesupacesup member
    Thank you! That is very helpful!
  • I chart cm and cp. For cm I check about twice per day internally if there is nothing when I wipe. I have been having long AF so by the time it stops I have sticky cm then about 4 days of ewcm. Then creamy (lotion like) then dry before AF. For CP I feel for my cervix once in the morning and before BD. The newbie post can give you specifics on both. Remember everyone is different so you might want to chart it on FF so you can get the hang of it. FF also has tutorials on charting your CM and CP. Hope this helps.

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  • I go by what's on the toilet paper. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a very helpful book that explains temping, CM, CP, etc. in detail. It even has pictures. You should check it out!  The tutorials on fertilityfriend.com are also very helpful. 
    imageimage
    Me(32) + DH(32) TTC #1 since Dec 2011
    RE consult Dec 2012, diagnosed with lean PCOS (didn't see that coming!)  medicated cycles 1 - 4 = BFN
    cycle 5 - metformin, femara 7.5mg, IUI #1, progesterone = BFP!!!
    beta #1 (13dpiui) 37, beta #2 (15dpiui) 104, u/s at 6w5d hb of 115
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  • IMO, CP checking is a something you don't get right the first try.  For 2 days, I thought my cervix was high, then the next  day, it was actually high.  Low on the other hand, for me, there is not mistaking.  I don't even have to try and find it.

     

    Hope that made at least a little sense.

  • I was in your same boat not too long ago. I sometimes do some internal detective work if I'm really unsure of the kind of CM I have at the time. I had a hard time deciphering the difference between EW and Watery/Creamy for myself. I found this website which helped me get a better idea of what I was looking for:

     https://www.amandabears.com/heartscervical-mucus.html

    Also, fertility friend has a great lesson on the differences in CM, when to expect to see changes, the different ways to check your CM and Cervical position.  I don't bother checking the cervix at all. Temp, OPK, and CM is more than enough to get me an exact Oing date. :)

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