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If you have been following our blog for a while it may be no surprise we talk A LOT about cervical mucus. It is literally the foundation of the Creighton Model. The system literally helps you crack the code on how to decipher what your cervical fluid means. Your cervical mucus is almost like a secret language and this method is here to help you interpret it all. It is no secret decoding your fertility and the signs it brings can be quite the rollercoaster, but it is possible to understand it all. Stick with me as we take a deep dive into all things cervical mucus.
The Cervical Mucus Chronicles
A women's cycle, as we all know, starts with the menstrual bleeding. Following the period, after a few days or so you can start to see a dramatic change. Your cervical mucus starts to show up. Once we start seeing signs of mucus it is our body telling us, "I am here and ready to be in my fertile window". The cervical mucus is one of the best ways to gauge your fertility. Other methods track things differently, such as the Symptothermal Method which uses your temperature throughout your cycle to track your fertility. Or the Marquette Method which tracks your fertility by the biomarkers you find in your urine. Each method works and has a place in the Fertility Awareness world, but the Creighton Model may take it a bit of a step further when it comes to being so detailed oriented (I might be a bit biased). In the past I have had clients who have normal cycles and really no issues to keep an eye on. They sometimes become overwhelmed by the little things with the CrMS and I eventually send them off to a different method, because it is what is best for them. But when I have a client who is having issues (name the many here), I encourage them to stick with the model because I know tracking their cervical mucus will be so helpful in their knowledge of their fertility.
Cervical Mucus 101 - The Colorful Characters
There are many different types of mucus a woman can create. Most of the time the mucus can start as a very minimal amount. It can be white or as we call it cloudy, in appearance and have a very small consistency. Then it will progress through the stages of getting a bit stretchier and being able to see crystal clear mucus. Not every woman goes through these stages exactly, but this is more or less the ideal pattern we would want to see. At first it is hard to wrap your mind around all the different types of discharge a woman can have. So let's break it down.
The Little Stuff: This discharge is exactly what it sounds like. When you see this mucus there isn't a lot there. It is very small in consistency and most likely white or even yellowish in color. If you have ever made bread by hand and have gotten your hands covered in very wet dough and no matter how hard you try it seems impossible to get all those little bits off your fingers, this is what the "little stuff" is comparable to.
Playing With Glue or Gum: Were you fascinated by glue when you were younger? Did you cover your hands with it, let it dry, and then peel it off? If you were that kid (I was), then you probably have a good idea of what I am talking about. This discharge can stretch, but not a whole lot. It really is like having gum between your fingers. It does not have a ton of give to it, but you can stretch it. The color of this discharge will also be a white or cloudy color, but sometimes women can start seeing the crystal clear color as well. Remember the idea is your mucus will slowly process to be the most fertile it can be.
The MamaJama of Mucus-The Good Stuff: This particular type of discharge is usually crystal clear in appearance, like a raw egg white and can stretch up to an inch or more. When looking for your most, most fertile mucus this is it. This type of mucus can last somewhere around 3-4 days, but it will vary. Now if a woman who is trying to get pregnant does not display this type of mucus regularly it is not impossible for her to get pregnant, because mucus is mucus. But the ideal goal would be for her to produce this type of discharge.
There are different variations of these types of cervical fluid, but these are the general types a woman will/can see during their fertile window.
The Daily Mucus Memoirs – Charting Your Observations
Like I said earlier the discharge you observe can look different from day to day and even cycle to cycle. But you have to stick to observing your mucus each and everyday and all day. And as you read this you may feel like wow that is a lot, but if you think about it you want to see what is happening from day to day and all through out the day. In using the Creighton Model we need to see what is happening from moment to moment. Skipping days or skipping observations can actually be detrimental to your use of the system. Just like when someone has diabetes, you wouldn't miss the times you needed your insulin. Sticking to the instructions and making your observations daily, is your key to success.
To bring all of this to a close I want to take this opportunity to debunk some myths about cervical mucus.
Mucus Myths Busted: Top Questions Answered
Q1: Does cervical mucus always indicate fertility?
Not necessarily. While the presence of fertile-quality mucus is a good sign of fertility, its absence doesn't necessarily mean you're infertile. Various factors, such as stress or medications, can influence mucus production.
Q2: Can I rely solely on my cervical mucus signs to achieve and avoid?
To put it bluntly, yes you absolutely can. Your mucus window is a great indicator for when you are in a peak time of fertility. This window of time is the ideal time to have intercourse when trying to get pregnant. On the opposite end, if you are in a season of avoiding pregnancy knowing the days you are fertile and infertile will help you be successful in that goal. When using the Creighton Model we always say, there are no "taking chances" or saying "surely it won't happen this time" because by following the instructions your practitioner gives you, you will know your signs of fertility and infertility.
Q3: Can stress impact cervical mucus observations?
Yes, stress can affect hormonal balance, potentially impacting cervical mucus patterns. It's essential to consider overall lifestyle factors when interpreting observations and seek guidance if stress is a consistent factor.
Q4: Is it normal to have variations in cervical mucus throughout the cycle?
Absolutely. Cervical mucus naturally changes in consistency and quantity throughout the menstrual cycle. These variations are normal and provide valuable insights into different phases of your fertility.
Q5: Are making the observations of your cervical mucus hard to learn?
The answer is yes and no. A lot of women come into the system never using a method like this or have never looked at their fertility in this way before. Naturally there is a learning curve and it takes time to get used to. But once you do get used to it, it really becomes quite easy. It is just part of your day and becomes second nature. You can always ask your practitioner for help in this area, really no question is considered TMI when talking to a practitioner, we've hear it all.
Now I know this was a lot of information. I probably could write more than one blog on this topic and it is because cervical mucus is so complex. Your cervical mucus is not only crucial to your fertility, but it also can say a lot about your overall health. It is also important to observe for your cervical fluid all day every day to understand exactly what is going on. I admit in the beginning all of this it can feel very overwhelming. It does take your time, energy, and patience. Once you get the hang of it you will feel like you have a true grasp of not only what is going on with your fertility but also what is going on with your body.