TMI alert: How do I know what kind of CM I have?

protease · #1 August 4th, 2009, 05:15 PM

I believe I am 3DPO and DH and I Have BD'd two nights in a row in the middle of night - meaning I just went right back to sleep. On the last two days I was checking my CM late in the morning (after I have washed before leaving for work) and found my CM to be creamy. Not large quantities, but enough to scoop with finger. Is this CM or semen? I did not see this "Creamy" CM later in the day.

Sorry for the TMI - really!!!

CandaceDianne · #2 August 4th, 2009, 05:20 PM

I am new to checking CM (and TTC lol), and I also have the same problem. There are certain characteristics that are different. Check out this link from JM: EWCM (Egg White Cervical Mucous) or Semen: How to Tell the Difference
Try the few tricks they explain to decide on whether or not its fertile CM or semen. When in doubt, I just record it as CM. I hope this helps some!

DeepSouthMommy · #3 August 4th, 2009, 05:21 PM

Odd way of telling, but it works...when you scoop some out, put it in water. CM will sink, semen will float or start to dissolve. Other than that, I don't know how to tell just by looking at it. Hope I helped a little!

protease · #4 August 4th, 2009, 05:37 PM

These are helpful!! Thanks - I can do the water test easily.

I have to say that when I saw my EWCM - it was like eggwhites - no doubt at all in my mind what that was. I was mostly surprised I had never before noticed!!! Plus it had blood - I am guessing ovulation spotting. I am mostly concerned with the other fertile CM - the creamy kind. I guess it isn't so important in any case - as long as I get the EWCM!

Thanks girls!!!! I love JM!

DeepSouthMommy · #5 August 4th, 2009, 05:47 PM

You're welcome!

Btw, if you saw blood it could also be if you scratched yourself while checking (did that one myself the first time

) or if you had rough sex the night previous.

Coley · #6 August 5th, 2009, 06:08 AM

Another very good way to tell between CM and semen is that semen will dry on your finger very quickly... CM stays longer.

Admin-pattyandthemoos · #7 August 5th, 2009, 10:42 AM

The other girls already did a good job answering this. I usually can tell if it is semen because semen normally absorbs into the toilet paper right away. I have gotten pretty good at telling the difference between the two now.

Are you charting your temps or just CM?

I hope you will stop by here more often. Everyone is really nice here and great about answering questions.