Fertility Charting
By tracking the signs and symptoms associated with
ovulation such as
changes in your cervical mucus and basal body temperature (BBT) a
fertility chart can be used to help identify the days of the month when
you are most likely to become pregnant
Cervical Mucus (CM)
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Cervical mucus is a slimy substance produced by glands within
the cervix. After your menstrual period there are usually a few days
when there is no mucus produced and you are "dry". As your cycle continues the cervix
begins to open
and
a cloudy and sticky mucus is produced.
A few days before and during ovulation the cervix opens
further and a large amount of clear, slippery, and elastic
(resembling raw egg white) mucus is produced (See picture at left).This fertile-type of mucus
enhances penetration, storage and transport of normal sperm.
After ovulation, the
quantity of cervical mucus declines and returns to a thicker consistency. |
Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
You can get information about the approximate days you ovulate by making a
graph of your basal body temperature. Your basal
body temperature (BBT) is your body temperature in the morning before moving
about or eating after at least 6 hours of sleep. |
To measure your BBT you will need a
thermometer accurate to 1/10 th of a degree (available in most pharmacies).
An increase in your basal body temperature of 1/2 to 1
degree F occurs the day after ovulation and will remain elevated creating
a chart that has lower temperature readings before ovulation and higher
temperature readings after ovulation. This is known as a "biphasic"
pattern. |
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You can download
our printable
Fertility Chart
OR as an Excel
®file to help you track your BBT and cervical mucus.
How To Fill Out A Fertility Chart
The first day of your cycle is the first day your period begins. Take
your temperature first thing in the morning and place an X in the
box corresponding to the temperature. Record the type of cervical
discharge you have. You can use a number scale or a letter system (D =Dry, S=Sticky,
E=Egg white) to describe the
mucus. If you are using an ovulation kit record those results. Record when you have intercourse. In
this example there is a surge in temperature on cycle day 15 , the day after
ovulation.
Here is an example
of how to fill the chart out.
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