[Lav]

Good morning ladies,

yesterday I checked my cervix in the shower after BDing (bding was actually a little painful yesterday, when DH went deep, and I'm assuming that was because my cervix was rather low?!)

I'm still very new and unsure with the whole cervix checking... I'm fairly sure yesterday night it was quite low, but it felt soft too - although soft vs. hard is still a little bit difficult for me to distinguish.

I just checked it again this morning and it was a lot higher than last night, but I couldn't tell whether it was soft or hard... also... the cervix opening was kind of on the side, not on the bottom like usual, it was almost hidden and I had to reach far to get to it - is that normal? I couldn't really get two fingers in to get some cervical fluid out, cuz both fingers together couldn't reach the opening. Sorry if

And then I have the hardest time trying to understand whether my cervix would be considered open or closed... I know they say it's merely a slit when closed... but the difference must be so slight, cuz I don't think I ever felt more than a slit (I checked my cervix once in a while back in Sept 2011 when I first tried to get pregnant)


Also, can someone check my chart and tell me how to interpret? My cervix changes, spotting... it's such an odd cycle this month! I'm so confused. I think I will use an OPK later today!

And one more question, when you go to the bathroom and upon cleaning up you find the "substance", or whatever you want to call it, from your vagina slightly orangish on just one single wipe for the whole day - would you call that spotting?!

[Coley]

Okay, I'll see if I can help here.

The best thing to do, for charting purposes, is to check your CP (cervical position) at the same time every day. It can change position quite a lot during the day, so for your chart, you want to compare 6am CP to 6am CP. You can certainly check it at other times, but don't chart it.

As for texture... The best rule of thumb is Hard feels like the tip of your nose and Soft is like your bottom lip. Medium is, obviously, anything in between.

I don't bother charting cervical opening. I've found it too difficult to determine. I dunno if my opening is small or not as noticeable or what, but it's never been an easy sign to monitor for me.

A single swipe of anything in the red family, goes on my chart as spotting. I've seen the orange stuff before too. It kinda freaked me out, but nothing came of it, so everything was fine.

I hope some of that helps...

[Belita]

Thanks, Nikki! I actually have tried checking CP the past two mornings and am having the same problem as Lav.

[Coley]

It can have a bit of a learning curve, but if you keep with it, you will start to feel the changes.

[JennyLee]

Nikki gave excellent advice! I gave up trying to interpret CP, but I have enough other signs that I can pinpoint O pretty effectively without it. If your other signs aren't clear (or you just want another one for confirmation), definitely just keep at it!

[HopeTea]

I'll admit to being completely overwhelmed by charting CP and all that. I actually have done a couple "test runs" where I try and feel changes for a week or so without charting them, but it was hard for me to make every single determination! I guess high vs. low is pretty easy, but texture and opening...

[Lav]

Thank you! It does help... Now I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[Belita]

I always seem to get a bit of white CM if I try to check my cervix, more of a lotiony/creamy texture. Should I count that as creamy or is that just normal and I should just count what's on my fingertip?