Tracking cervical mucus and being able to tell when ovulation is about to begin is the first step for a woman who is trying to conceive. In order to tell when ovulation begins a woman will need to know how to tell the differences in the changes in their cervical mucus. This is where tracking cervical mucus comes into play.

Cervical mucus is the lubricated secretion produced from the cells within the lining of the walls of the cervical glands, which are designed to help protect the cervix.

This secretion is a natural discharge that will change in appearance throughout the phases that a female goes through during the menstrual cycle. One of the key elements that effects the changes in a female’s cervical mucus is hormone levels. During the menstrual cycle it is quite common for extra amounts of estrogen to be created and released by the ovaries. As a result, the estrogen in turn will cause the cervical mucus to change in its appearance, but it also aids in making conception possible.

Cervical mucus goes through about four different changes each month. Of course, it does take each woman time to discover these changes on her own as well as to be able to become more familiar with these changes. The best way to determine each change in cervical mucus is to record them by consistency, amount, color, and slipperiness.

During the first couple of days following a female’s menstrual period, most females will experience either little or no cervical mucus at all. In fact, it is not unusual during this period of the ending of the menstrual period for the vulva to be dry, which is why women are known not to be fertile at this time. Prior to a female ovulating, she will begin producing cervical mucus, which will be either white or cream in color and thick and sticky in feel. At this time, the cervical mucus should break apart quite easily when put to the finger test using the forefinger and the thumb.

As a female’s menstrual cycle progresses, then the cervical mucus will start to look more cloudy in appearance and the volume will increase up to ten times. When put the the finger test the cervical mucous should now stretch further, but will still break apart. At this point, there is a slight possibility that conception is possible.

During ovulation, females will experience high fertile cervical mucus, which is clear or pale white in color such as the white of an egg. It will also be thin and stretchy in appearance. Many women will find that during this period their bodies produce much more cervical mucus than during the rest of the month. Fertility is at its peak and chances of conception are at their highest at this point.

When the cervical mucus is put to the finger test, then should be able to be stretched several centimeters prior to breaking. This is an optimal opportunity for anyone looking to conceive as it is the perfect environment for sperm, which can live up to three or four days within the cervical mucus.