There are several important factors when trying to conceive.  Everything from fertility problems to diet and exercise to position can affect whether or not you will be able to conceive.  One of the most important factors in conception is having cervical mucus.

The role of cervical mucus when trying to conceive is to protect sperm from the acidic content of the vagina.  The acids in the vagina typically will stop sperm from moving an neutralize them.  Cervical mucus provides a place for sperm to go where it can be protected from these acids.  In addition, cervical mucus will help sperm to travel up the fallopian tubes into the uterus to find an egg.  Finally, cervical mucus will often detect sperm that are abnormal and slow them down, keeping them from getting to the egg and causing conception.

It is important to understand how cervical mucus changes during a woman’s cycle to understand how exactly cervical mucus does what is supposed to do when trying to conceive.  After menstruating, there will be no cervical mucus present for between 3 and 5 days.  After this, there will be a small amount, and it will range in color from white to a cloudy clear, and it will be rather sticky.  When you get nearer to ovulation, cervical mucus increases.  It will become moist and sticky, about the consistency of hand lotions.  At this point, the color will be white or cream-colored.  When you are ovulating, you will have the most cervical mucus.  The cervical mucus should be about the same texture and have a similar appearance to an egg white; at this stage, it is often referred to as “egg-white cervical mucus.”  After ovulation, cervical mucus will decrease and become less slippery.

For successful conception, it is important to try to conceive when cervical mucus is at its best.  Your chances of conceiving are best during ovulation and just before.  You can monitor your cervical mucus to determine how fertile you are.  To collect cervical mucus, insert your finger into your vagina.  Move your finger around in a circular motion, as close to your cervix as you can get.  This allows you to collect cervical mucus and examine both its color and its consistency.