Cervical mucus is a very important component of conception. Without it, sperm has no chance of ever reaching the egg. Cervical mucus aids conception by protecting the sperm from your body’s acidic environment and providing easy transportation to the egg. There is nothing quite like it; it can’t be replaced with artificial lubricants.
Cervical mucus changes throughout your cycle. As you approach ovulation, it becomes thick and white. You may notice globs of it on the toilet paper after you wipe or you may find it in your underwear as you approach ovulation. If you are trying to conceive and you notice this type of cervical mucus, the time is approaching. There is no harm in trying when your mucus looks like this. It means ovulation is very close. When you ovulate, your cervical mucus should become thin, clear and very stretchy. It should resemble raw egg white. This type of cervical mucus indicates that you are fertile and ready to conceive. If you notice this type of cervical mucus, then get busy! If your cervical mucus is very sticky or seemingly non-existent, then you are probably not fertile.
Certain outside factors can affect the quality and consistency of your cervical mucus. Milk thickens it, which is what you don’t want when you’re trying to get pregnant. Robitussin thins it, which may help you conceive and some doctors will suggest taking it while you are trying to conceive, especially if you are on Clomid. You should always check with your doctor before taking any medication and make sure it will not negatively impact your chances of conceiving or cause problems if you do. Sometimes if you become very ill, ovulation may be delayed so fertile cervical mucus may not appear when you expect it.
Keep an eye on that cervical mucus and before you know it, you won’t even need a thermometer, test or chart to tell you when it’s time to “try.”