Most couples are unaware of the significance of the cervical mucus secretion in achieving pregnancy. Once a woman has learned to identify her fertile days, a couple of normal fertility can usually achieve pregnancy within three cycles.
Conception is possible on any day after the mucus begins, but is most probable when the clear, elastic mucus is present and feels wet and slippery.
The fertile phase begins in a woman's cycle on the first day a woman observes the presence of mucus, or feels a slippery, wet sensation. It is not necessary to check the mucus with the fingers, its presence and changing pattern can be observed when the vaginal opening is wiped with tissue.
Women find that their ability to recognize changes in mucus develops rapidly and becomes second nature to them. Studies show that most women can chart a recognizable mucus pattern after only one month of learning the Ovulation Method.
The cervical mucus has some exceptional qualities: it assists sperm transport and provides the proper environment in the vagina that is necessary for the maintenance of sperm fertilizing capacity. The importance of fertile-type mucus is now recognized by infertility specialists throughout the world.
A couple of normal fertility is fertile on an average of three to six days. The woman's egg lives an average of 12 to 24 hours, the man's sperm can survive inside the woman's body only during the days when cervical mucus is present in her body. This cervical secretion enables sperm to be fed and provides them with the necessary energy to be able to fertilize the egg. Sperm survival can be approximately three to five days, depending on the presence and number of days of fertile-type mucus secreted by the cervix.
1. Watch for the beginning of mucus as menstrual bleeding diminishes. In some cases, there are no dry days after menstruation.
2. Early Days Rule: If there are dry days after menstruation, restrict intercourse to every other dry day. This is to ensure a good quality and quantity of sperm when the mucus develops its most fertile characteristics. Once the fertile phase begins, delay intercourse until the mucus becomes elastic, wet and slippery.
3. Some women do not see the clear and elastic characteristics of the mucus, but experience it only as a wet, slippery feeling. This is a fertile sign and the couple should use these days to achieve pregnancy.
4. A few women experience the fertile characteristics of the mucus for only a few hours. This observation is often made in the morning. In this circumstance the couple should time intercourse to take place that morning or when the fertile characteristics of the mucus are present at any other time of the day.
5. If menstruation does not begin by the 17th day after the Peak is identified, pregnancy has probably been achieved. On the other hand, if menstrual bleeding begins in less that 10 days after the Peak is identified, it may indicate an infertile cycle.
Factors Which Affect Fertility
Weight
Proper weight for size and body type should be maintained. Extremes of weight may be a factor in infertility. Being underweight even by ten pounds can affect the woman's cycle.
Nutrition
Good nutrition for both the husband and wife is a requirement for maximum fertility. This includes adequate calorie intake, a well-balance diet including supplementary vitamins and minerals. Excess caffeine, alcohol, and all amphetamines should be avoided.
Exercise
Adequate exercise provides a sense of well being and promotes health. Excessive exercise, however, may affect fertility by inhibiting ovulation. Decreasing the amount of excessive exercise may be helpful when attempting to achieve pregnancy.
Stress
Stress is a significant inhibitor of ovulation and mucus production in women and it may decrease both the qualtity and quantity of sperm in men. Coping with the knowledge that they may be infertile can cause an enormous amount of stress for the couple, but sharing the causes and effects of stress on their lives is often helpful in alleviating the stress they feel.
Heat
It is known that heat affects sperm production. Infertility in the man may be affected by extremely hot baths or showers, and close fitting underwear which draws the testicles close to the body, as well as certain occupations in higher than normal temperatures.
