[Mrs. McFadden]

Hello, I am interested in starting to chart but since I don't have a thermometer yet (will buy one before AF shows up), I decided to check my cervix and CM. Yesterday, my CM was like eggwhite, a bit brownish/transparent fluid as well, so in the CM field on FF.Com, I selected eggwhite. Today, it's about the same but instead of being brownish/transparent, it's eggwhite mixed with white fluid, so should I choose eggwhite or creamy? I'm not sure...

Also, I just started checking my cervix but can't seem to find that little opening, maybe it's closed? How do I know if it's opened or not? And what's the difference between low and high? I read the info in the tips sticky on here but I need more explanation...

Thank you!

[ShawnaCAN]

If it's clear, stretchy, or lubricative - you can call it eggwhite. Keep in mind that FF has very limited categories for describing mucus (one method of charting lists 25 different descriptions to choose from!) - so FF is very limited. Just pick the description that is closest. Spotting with mucus is highly fertile!

[Mrs. McFadden]

Ok thanks! On FF, what is dry mucus?

[ShawnaCAN]

Dry means no mucus. You feel nothing and you see nothing!

[Mrs. McFadden]

Oh good!! Thanks alot! So what about the cervix?

[ShawnaCAN]

Oh good!! Thanks alot! So what about the cervix?[/b]

The least accurate sign for evaluating feritlity is the cervix. Personally, I would advice you to just not bother with it. Checking internally will compromise the accuracy of your mucus observations anyway. If you must check, do it at the end of the day so as not to disrupt your mucus.

Learning your mucus will give you all you need to know. Temps will confirm what your mucus tells you, if you want to use them. Many women don't.

Woohoo Marie, we can be newbies together!! hehe. I don't bother with CP either, it's too confusing for me and I can never seem to find it. Temping also seems extremely hard, I feel like every little thing I do while in bed/sleeping is going to mess up my temp. Like last night I felt kind of cold, and then I woke up like 3 times before my alarm went off, which kept me awake because I was worring what waking up would do to my temp. Oh, and my temp dropped from 97.89 to 97.70....which in charting is like a huge drop. So random. I really think I just screwed it up.

[Mrs. McFadden]

Thanks for the info

[NutMeg76]

Oh, and my temp dropped from 97.89 to 97.70....which in charting is like a huge drop. So random. I really think I just screwed it up. [/b]

This is the exact reason I don't use a thermometer that measures to the hundreths. It looks like a huge drop, but really it isn't. If you had used one to the tenths it would have looked only like it dropped .1, which is a very small fluctuation and is very normal, .2 is more concerning, not .02.

[diznynurse]

HI and welcome to the board! If you have any eggwhite that's what I would chart. Anything with any brownish is definately a good sign and if you are ttcing then definately bd then. As far as cervix, it's hard to get started with that. Honestly when I check mine, I never notice Low, only high and medium. If I can hardly reach my cervix then I know it's high. I've only felt open once. If I were you, I'd not worry about the cervix. CM is a great indicator because you know you are fertile before the temp drop. Temping is just to confirm that you did indeed O so you can stop worrying! I'd also recommend opk's when you are really ready to ttc, I love using them!!!! Good Luck!

[CandiceW]

If it's clear, stretchy, or lubricative - you can call it eggwhite. Keep in mind that FF has very limited categories for describing mucus (one method of charting lists 25 different descriptions to choose from!) - so FF is very limited. Just pick the description that is closest. Spotting with mucus is highly fertile![/b]

Hi Shawna I have a question for you..
I have been charting this month on FF, it is my first month TTC and I have a question about what you wrote here.
I had EWCM with a little spotting on the CD 11 .. I also had cramping so I marked that as my O day.
I have been spotting since DPO 8 though and on DPO 10 I had EWCW mixed with spots of blood.
That is why I have a question for you.. Why would I have this highly fertile cm like you are saying after I already O?

[ShawnaCAN]

Hi Shawna I have a question for you..
I have been charting this month on FF, it is my first month TTC and I have a question about what you wrote here.
I had EWCM with a little spotting on the CD 11 .. I also had cramping so I marked that as my O day.
I have been spotting since DPO 8 though and on DPO 10 I had EWCW mixed with spots of blood.
That is why I have a question for you.. Why would I have this highly fertile cm like you are saying after I already O?
[/b]

Sorry I didn't see this until now!

The fertility Peak should always be marked as the LAST day of slippery mucus (whether you see it, or only feel it). Cramping can indicate a number of things - such as when the follicles in the ovary become stimulated in the days prior to ovulation, or when ovulation occurs, or when the ova is travelling down the fallopian tube. Cramping is a seconday sign and is not a conclusive marker of Peak day.

However, if ovulation did occur at some point around CD11 - the mucus and spotting you describe sounds like normal premenstral stuff. Many women notice mucus a few days before their period starts because the plug which seals up the cervix liquifies and comes out to make way for the bleeding. This mucus can be kind of like EWCM, but it will be less lubricative than the EWCM produced around ovulation.

Hope that helps!