What is the Cervical Mucus Method of Pregnancy Planning and Natural Birth Control?

This method involves looking at the discharge or cervical mucus during your monthly cycle. During different stages of your cycle, your cervical mucus will change in various ways.

How do I get the Cervical Mucus?

The cervical mucus can be retrieved by inserting a finger (index) into the vagina and bringing out the cervical mucus. Some women do have luck with simply using tissue (wiping) or just inserting their finger. The majority of women will have better results if they circle around the cervix or as deep as possible, and hook their finger while bringing the cervical mucus out. This will allow you to gather as much of the cervical mucus as possible. If you just insert your finger, you may only gather the wetness of the actual cervical mucus.

How do I test the cervical mucus for "stretchability"?

After you retrieve the cervical mucus, put your index (with the cervical mucus) against your thumb and separate the fingers slowly. If you notice the cervical mucus just globbing to one finger, you are not ovulating. If the cervical mucus is very stretchable and clear, you are probably near or at your ovulation phase.

What does the cervical mucus look like when you are ovulating?

The cervical mucus will appear clear, slippery, and be very stretchable. It should resemble a raw egg white. This cervical mucus will usually stretch 1 to 2 inches between your fingers before globbing to one finger.

Cervical Mucus Stages: (Sample of a regular 28 day cycle)

How Long will I Ovulate?

As you can see, the cervical mucus changes back to cloudy after ovulation has occurred. Some women may ovulate one to two days wherein the cervical mucus very clear, slippery and "stretchable." Other women may only ovulate a few hours in one day. These women may have problems conceiving due to the short amount of ovulation time.

The cervical mucus in a woman that only ovulates a couple of hours may be clear, slippery and very stretchable in the morning or night and then change to cloudy a couple of hours later. If you are experiencing cervical mucus that only lasts a couple of hours, you may be able to conceive if you have intercourse during the "peak" hours of your ovulation phase.

What if there is no cervical mucus or it does not change?

If you are not able to retrieve or see any cervical mucus, you may not be inserting your finger deep enough, not ovulating, on a medication that changes the vaginal environment (dry), or you may be over 35.

You should first try to insert your finger deeper into the vagina to extract cervical mucus. If this does not work, you may have to use another method to try and conceive. You may consider BBT (basal body) temperature method, tes tape, or ovulation predictor kits.

You should ask your doctor about medication(s) you are on and how they may affect vaginal secretions. If possible get off of the medication before trying to conceive or change medications. You may find that another medication will not affect the vaginal environment.

If you are near the age of 35, the vaginal environment tends to become dry and with the appearance of no cervical mucus. You should try using another method to conceive. You may consider BBT (basal body temperature method) tes tape, or ovulation predictor kits.

If the cervical mucus is not changing during your cycle, you may need to gather more of it, look closely at small changes, and check more often. The cervical mucus method does not work for all women. You may need to change to another method to help conceive. You may consider BBT (basal body) temperature method, tes tape, or ovulation predictor kits.

What is the Sympto Thermal Method of Pregnancy Planning and Natural Birth Control?

The Sympto Thermal Method of natural birth control is a very natural and predictable way to either achieve or avoid pregnancy. The Sympto Thermal Method does not involve the use of any chemicals (birth control pills, vaginal creams or gels), mechanical/barriers (male or female condoms, IUD's or diaphragms) or surgical interventions (male or female sterilization).

The Sympto Thermal Method is based on the couple's daily charting and recognition of her fertility signs — primarily her cervical mucus and basal (or body temperature upon waking in the morning) By learning to identify the fertile and infertile times of the menstrual cycle, couples can plan to achieve or avoid a pregnancy.

Calendar or Rhythm Method:

This method uses the basic counting from one period to the next period on a calendar. To find your ovulation time based on this method, you will need to record your menstrual cycle information for a couple of cycles. If you are trying to avoid pregnancy, you should note that this method has a 20% failure rate. This means you could get pregnant.

Figuring the Days in your Cycle:

**There are many variations to figuring your cycle length, but most come up with the same ending result.**

Begin with the second day of your bleeding period. Count the days to the start of your next bleeding period. You should include the day of your next period. Or you can count from the first day of your bleeding period to the day before your next period. This is not including the day of your next period. Both of these counting methods would result in the same answer.

Look at the chart below. This chart is an example of a 28-day cycle that has a 5 day bleeding period. The

red

numbers are the bleeding period.

**Note: If you count from the first day of your period, the day that menstrual bleeding begins, this is Day 1. Continue counting the days until your/your wife's next period (which includes the day of the next period) you are adding on one extra day to your cycle. This is incorrect.** Click here if you want to know why this would be incorrect.

28 Day Cycle:

Usually a woman, who has a 28-day cycle, will ovulate around the 14^th day. If your cycle is shorter or longer than this, you do not always ovulate on the 14^th day. Many pregnancies that were unplanned are due to the fact that women believe everyone's ovulation day is on the 14^th day. This is not true.

What is the Basal Body Temperature method of Pregnancy Planning and Natural Birth Control?

The temperature method, also known as Basal Body Temperature, The Basal Body Temperature method, is a natural way to either avoid or achieve pregnancy.

First you will need to by a "basal body temperature" thermometer. These thermometers are very accurate and measure the smallest degree of change in temperature. The regular thermometers used for taking temperature will not work because you have to see how the temperature is changing in tenths of a degree (like 97.4, 98.5, 99.2) not by a full point (like 97, 98, 99).

Instructions for using the basal body thermometer:

1. Take your temperature consistently, at the same time, in your preferred method, either orally, vaginally or rectally. It is very important that this same method, and time be followed every day!
2. Do not eat, drink, or smoke before taking your temperature.
3. After getting out of bed or while still laying in bed, is the best time to take your temperature.
4. Chart the results. After you take your temperature, put a dot on the BBT chart that came with your thermometer.
5. You will note that your ovulation time will be between the sharp drop and quick rise in temperature. Some say that ovulation is at the point when it drops and some say it is at the point when it is rising.

What is the Birth Control Sponge?

The Birth Control Sponge is a donut-shaped polyurethane device containing spermicide and a woven polyester loop that hangs down into the vagina for removal. Note: In 1995, the sponge was taken off the market in the United States by its manufacturer. The Birth Control Sponge is currently available in Canada and expected to return to the U.S. market soon.

How is the Birth Control Sponge inserted and used?

The Birth Control Sponge can be inserted by the husband or wife, insuring that the sponge is inserted deep enough into her/your vagina – and insuring the sponge covers the cervix. The Birth Control Sponge can be left in place for 24 hours and multiple acts of intercourse; however, it must be left in the vagina for 6 hours after the last act of intercourse.

Instructions for Inserting the Birth Control Sponge

1. Remove sponge from package and wet it thoroughly with clean water.

2. Squeeze the sponge until it foams completely, to activate the spermicide. There is more than enough spermicide in the sponge, so squeeze until it foams generously while adding plenty of water, but stop squeezing after it begins foaming.

3. Fold the sides of the sponge upward and insert it deeply in your/her vagina making sure it covers the cervix.

4. The birth control sponge can be inserted up to 24 hours prior to intercourse and provides immediate and continuous contraception during this period, regardless of the frequency of intercourse.

5. The birth control sponge should be left in place for six hours after the last act of intercourse but no longer than 30 hours after insertion.

6. You/your wife may swim or tub bathe with the birth control sponge properly placed in your/her vagina.

NOTE: Strenuous activity and some sexual activity could dis-lodge the proper placement of the birth control sponge inside your/her vagina.

7. Do not use the birth control sponge during your menstrual period. Another method of birth control should be used during this time.

8. The birth control sponge should be removed by grasping the loop that is attached to the back of the sponge. Do not attempt to pull on the sponge, as it may fragment.

Does the Birth Control Sponge protect against STDs?

No.

Does the Birth Control Sponge protect against pregnancy?

Yes.

What are the chances of getting pregnant while using a sponge?

Typical use: 20%

Perfect use: 9%

What are the advantages to using the Birth Control Sponge?

The Birth Control Sponge protects for 24 hours and multiple acts of intercourse during that time. Many couples find it more exciting, and helps her arousal if the husband inserts the birth control sponge prior to intercourse.

Are there any disadvantages to using the Birth Control Sponge?

The Birth Control Sponge must not be left in the vagina for more than 30 hours or the female runs the risk of toxic shock syndrome.

What, and Where is a Woman's Cervix?

The cervix is the opening to the uterus, located about 4 inches inside a woman's vagina and it is through the cervical opening that a woman's menstrual fluids pass each month, as well as the opening through which sperm travel through to reach an egg at which time, if implantation in the uterus occurs, a pregnancy begins and a new baby begins growing.

At the time of childbirth, the cervix begins to dilate, or expand, to allow the baby to move from the uterus, and through and out the vagina. A cervix needs to dilate to about 10 cm before a woman can begin "pushing" the baby out.