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This vaginal discharge is perhaps something most women do not think much about, but in case you are trying or have already conceived, it is a must to keep a track of it. You can see changes cervical mucus In early pregnancy, such as the texture, color, and volume of this cervical mucus vaginal discharge are medically reviewed to provide clues regarding the fertility of your body and helps notify the best time to try for pregnancy. But, how does it do so? To know more about this vaginal discharge, read this article curated by Parenthood Bliss!
What is a cervical mucus vaginal discharge?
Medically reviewed by written articles, this vaginal discharge is a discharge secreted to keep the cervix (that is, the narrow, lower end of the uterus that opens up during childbirth) protected and moist, especially around ovulation.
These changes in cervical mucus as per reviewed by medically approved articles are the changes that take place throughout your menstrual cycle, from thin and stretchy to thick and creamy. The variation is a result of the hormones in the cervical mucus that is experienced each month, as, during the menstrual cycle, the estrogen releases increases the ovaries.
This process sends a message to the cervical mucus that in turn changes the consistency that makes the cervix receptive towards the incoming sperm. Or, in other words, the changes in the consistency during ovulation helps the sperm to travel up the cervical canal into the uterus, upping the odds to get pregnant.
What does the egg white cervical mucus changes mean? - Medically reviewed
Cervical mucus and ovulation have a clear link as it can help you know a lot about the right time to conceive during your menstrual cycle. According to the health and wellness professionals, if you are trying to conceive, you must keep a check of the cervical mucus to know the patterns based on the monthly periods.
To further help you with the timeline of the discharge during pregnancy including the egg white cervical mucus, here is what it means:
- After your monthly period, it could be quite dry down there for a few days. Therefore, this isn’t the best time to conceive or look for any early signs of pregnancy.
- A week prior you ovulate, you will notice that the cervical mucus tends to become thick, sticky, and creamy which will break easily if you stretch using your fingers.
- Right before ovulation, the volume of the cervical mucus increases and it may seem to have become thinner or yellowish and stretch farther between your fingers.
- However, during the most fertile time, that is, ovulation, the discharge of cervical mucus increases and becomes thin, extra stretchy, and clear or pale white with a consistency of egg whites. This is the best environment to get pregnant.
- Post your ovulation, the cervical mucus decreases in volume and becomes sticky and less stretchy. This isn’t a good time to try and conceive.
Note – If you have any questions, it is better to talk to your practitioner about the best time and methods to conceive.
Cervical mucus in early pregnancy. Are the changes a reliable way to track fertility?
Before we get into the crux of it all, hurray! you’re pregnant. We hope you are eating well and avoiding the foods that are not to be taken while pregnant.
Now, jumping back in, the cervical mucus hasn’t done with the work yet. It still has a quite significant role to play with the baby on board:
- Once you are fertile and have entered into the early pregnancy and are looking for signs of pregnancy, the cervical mucus safeguards and nourishes the newly implanted embryo that will build up into your baby.
- In the later stages, as medically reviewed, the cervical mucus evidence may continue protecting the growing fetus against all the infections.
Keeping track of your cervical mucus may not seem appealing, but it is a good way to look for any sign of pregnancy, though it cannot pinpoint the actual chances of conceiving with real precision. Also, checking in daily helps you become familiar with the variations too. You can make a note of the amount, slipperiness, color, and consistency in your journal in order to track it down.
Content measurement audience insights as using Healthline media websites, the monitoring of the cervical mucus helps increase the odds of conception.
What are the causes of the cervical mucus changes ?
There are multiple reasons for the changes throughout from dry days to wet of the cervical mucus, where some of them are tied to trying to conceive and others unrelated. However, the changes in this pregnancy cervical mucus may be caused by:
1) Hormones
The hormones responsible for regulating the periods, such as estrogen and progesterone are responsible for these monthly changes in the cervical mucus before and during the pregnancy.
2) Douches and lubricants
For most accuracy in regards to the timing of the baby-making trysts, the douches or lubricants are not used. Therefore, in either case, the changes in the consistency of the mucus making it hard to conceive.
3) Medications
As per the trustworthy health information, the fertility drugs like Clomid and gonadotropins with the other medications may cause changes in ovulation discharge. Even consuming birth control pills can lead to variations in the cervical mucus vaginal discharge.
4) Breastfeeding
If you are nursing your baby at present, it can affect the changes in the cervical mucus.
5) Obesity
If a mother is significantly overweight, the discharge can lead to changes in the cervical mucus.
6) If you have any infections
Having sex can cause the sexual transmission of infections or any vaginal infections. These can cause or affect the changes in the consistency of the pregnancy cervical mucus.
7) Surgical procedures
If you have experienced any surgical procedures in the past or a cervix surgery like the LEEP, it can result in damaging the glands that produce cervical mucus, causing changes in the mucus.
When do you need a doctor ?
If you are trying to conceive or are in early pregnancy, you must call your health care provider if you notice an odor that is foul and fishy or you see a greenish color vaginal discharge. These could be a sign of an infection that might require medical attention.
Also note that the changes in cervical mucus have not been shown to show any impact on fertility, other than the cases of an underlying chronic condition. However, if you see anything unusual, are having trouble conceiving, or have questions, contact your doctor for an evaluation.
Final Conclusion
Cervical mucus could be a sign of pregnancy (other than the others), provided you keep a check on the consistency, color, and volume. However, if you face anything usual and are looking for answers to any questions, contact your healthcare provider.
Cervical Mucus In Early Pregnancy FAQs
1) What does cervical mucus look like after ovulation when pregnant ?
2) Will cervical mucus change if pregnant ?
3) Is cervical mucus necessary for pregnancy ?
Reviewed By:
Esha Chainani - Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr. Esha Chainani is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and laparoscopic surgeon who aims to break the stigma around women’s health by advocating an inclusive and open practice of obstetrics and gynecology and an author of several internationally published research papers and health articles in the media like the Swaddle.
She also founded Premaa, a non-profit to reduce maternal morbidity and eventual maternal mortality by providing lower-income pregnant women living in urban areas with cell phone access through an app that can feature an entire section about contraception as well for a whole gamut of reproductive health.
A panel for multiple health sessions including with the UN, USAID, BMC, gender at work, and multiple non-profit organisations, and is on the advisory panel of the South Indian medical students association.
