Throughout your menstrual cycle and pregnancy, cervical mucus keeps changing its color, consistency, and amount. Many women associate the changes in cervical mucus as an early sign of pregnancy. However, the changes are so subtle that you may miss noticing them altogether.
What is cervical mucus?
The fluid produced by the cervix is known as cervical mucus. The wet and slippery texture of cervical mucus indicates fertility and it is produced during the ovulation phase. This discharge makes it easier for the sperm to swim toward the released egg during ovulation and increases the chances of conception. Some women chart their cervical mucus to identify the best time to have intercourse so that they may conceive.
Hormones cause changes in cervical mucus. Generally, the cervical mucus is dry and sticky in the first few days of your menstrual cycle. It turns creamy in texture in the second week of the menstrual cycle. Just before ovulation, your mucus will turn, clear, wet, and slippery. This is the best time to have sex if you are planning for a baby. Your cervical mucus becomes dry after ovulation.
How does cervical mucus indicate pregnancy?
Changes in cervical mucus can be an early sign of pregnancy. Usually, after ovulation, your cervical mucus thickens and dries up. However, if you conceived during ovulation, you will keep getting some amount of wet and slippery mucus even two weeks or more after ovulation. This is an early sign of pregnancy. However, for most women, this is so subtle that they may miss noticing. Some women may also get implantation bleeding if they conceived. The implantation bleeding is accompanied by brownish or pinkish-tinged cervical mucus. These are all subtle signs that can indicate pregnancy.
To confirm your pregnancy, take a pregnancy test at home with a pregnancy kit or visit your doctor’s clinic.
Why does the cervical mucus change during pregnancy?
Cervical mucus, also known as leukorrhea, is a normal part of your menstrual cycle. The mucus helps to keep your vaginal tissue healthy. The mucus keeps your vagina lubricated and also protects your vagina from infections and irritations. When you conceive, the hormone levels in your body start to rise drastically. These rising levels of the hormone can cause an increased amount of vaginal discharge. This excess discharge is the body’s natural defense mechanism to prevent vaginal infections. The texture of your mucus will also change during this time.
How to check cervical mucus?
To check your cervical mucus to know if you are pregnant, follow these steps:
- Insert your fingers to check for mucus. You must clean your hands with soap and water first before entering your finger into the vagina. Insert one finger inside and move it against the vaginal wall. Take the finger out and check the texture of the mucus. You may need to insert two fingers to get a better sample size.
- Often the mucus sticks to your panties after discharge. You can regularly check your panties to see if there is any discharge.
- Wipe your vagina with toilet paper and check if any mucus is visible. However, this is not a reliable method to check.
Checking your cervical mucus is not a reliable way to confirm pregnancy. You should always go for a pregnancy test to confirm the same.
