Preconception

Preconception. The Information you Need to Help you Get that BFP (Big Fat Positive)!
 

CM: Cervical Mucus and Fertility


Monitoring changes in cervical mucus (CM) is an important element of fertility charting, right along with tracking your basal temperature. In other parts of our Ovulation-Calculator.com, we explain in depth what to look for (see fertility charting) when examining cervical mucus. In a nutshell, you know you are fertile when your CM is present in abundance and stretchable, like egg-white (hence the term, "egg-white CM").

Let's learn a little bit more about why CM is important in conceiving a baby. We'll also take a look at a few natural remedies that may prove effective in helping the body produce better quality cervical mucus - and more of it. Also, we'll look at the product Pre-Seed as an alternative an helper for women who experiencing the problem of dryness, whether naturally or due to the use of fertility drugs like clomid.

What is the fertility function of Cervical Mucus (CM)?

The presence and quality of cervical mucus increases as you approach ovulation. And that's no accident. A great natural fertility indicator, CM also plays a vital role in fertility and conception. How? First of all, sperm have the capacity to survive in a "sperm-friendly" environment for several days. Under very optimum conditions (and given optimum metabolic function), sperm can live up to nearly seven days. The first and primary role of cervical mucus is to provide a hospitable environment for the sperm, and to help nourish and safegaurd the sperm as they travel through the cervix, through the womb, up the fallopian tube, and to the egg. CM also provides a fluid medium that helps precipitate sperm mobility (and motility).

In effect, if fertile-quality cervical mucus is present for sperm, the sperm have the opportunity to not only swim better and safer, but to live longer. If you are trying to conceive, the presence of CM is important because it may increase the time interval in which you are fertile. For example, if you make love prior to ovulation by a few days, the sperm will have a friendly media in which to "wait" until ovum is released from the corpus luteum in the ovary.

Cervical mucus, as noted, goes through many changes during a woman's menstrual cycle, making it an excellent indicator of fertility. During the follicular phase (first half of the cylce), the amount of CM slowly increases and the quality and texture of the mucous becomes increasingly supportive as a healthy medium or resevoir for sperm. As you approach ovulation, CM is like stretchy, raw egg white. It's also clearer (translucent) during this fertile phase. For most of a woman's cycle, the vagina is a not-so-welcoming environment for sperm and shortly following ejaculation, sperm typically die. Fertile cervical mucus, on the other hand, can support and help sperm survive for a number of days.

Products that may help with Fertile CM

First of all, if you experience, like many women, the problem of dryness, don't fret. Pre-Seed is a well-known and respected product that is designed to provide moisture and a fertility-friendly environment for sperm. Natural products that may help you produce more cervical mucus naturally include FertileCM and Evening Primrose Oil.

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