Understanding CM (got longish)

[winecheery]

Ok. For those who are checking cm, I feel like an idiot. I'm trying to becomes more in-tune with body signs so I can watch for things as we're ttc.

**I get a tad descriptive sooo if tmi, maybe don't read on**

I've read about all the stages of cm and how to check, and what I should/could expect to see when, blah blah blah. It's probably splitting hairs, but I don't know if I'm "classifying" things correctly here.

I am feeling like I'm having some watery cm about now. It's not like, dripping when I walk or anything, but when I check it's clear, and plenty slick inside. None on the tp per se when I go to the restroom, but there's drips that come out. Nothing stretchy. Everything feels very soft and open inside too, compared to right after AF when things were harder. And there was a bit of um...leftover in my underwear yesterday.

From what I'm reading this is right on track yes?? I get confused because some people say the watery stuff is supposed be stretchy, other sites say that it isn't, and only the creamy stuff stretches...I feel more moisture just inside and nothing really around the outside opening. (sorry)

So if this is that watery phase, then I can potentially expect to see the ewcm phase this weekend? I'm expecting to O on the 25th, and so this weekend would be my most fertile days...we've been having sex the past three days (because why not!) and we will all weekend regardless of any signs.

I just want to learn how to recognize what I'm looking at, if that makes sense. How long were you checking cm before it made sense for your cycle and your body. Help please?

[sunflower22]

EW is supposed to stretch between your fingers.. yes if I were you I'd be expecting it soon.

[Deleted]

I haven't seen any egg-white yet, but lots of watery around the time my temps indicate ovulation. Some of my creamy CM is "sticky", but not "stretchy" like an egg-white. If that makes sense....

[nevafaye]

EWCM is usually kind of cloudy, not necessarily clear, but not opaque. I think it can be more clear than not, but the stretchiness is usually the characteristic you're looking for, as opposed to color.

EWCM is the most fertile CM, the other stuff can happen at pretty much any point in your cycle, and I've had it off and on at different points.

This is why I use OPKs and temp because I find this too subjective to really make sense to me.

If you're brave, there ARE pictures online if you Google/images "egg white cervical mucous."

[thoseareradishes]

FF classifies watery as fertile. EWCM is stretchy, and creamy is not- it is like lotion. It is really hard I think to figure out what is what! Then when you mix sex in it gets even harder (semen leftovers).

[winecheery]

Whew!

Believe me, all of you were actually helpful in some way with these replies. I am actively avoiding temping (tho I got a BBT after AF showed up) because I will overanalyze what my temps means.

I know it sounds like I'm overanalyzing cm, but really I'm just trying to understand it better! haha

It's so subjective too, you know?? I'm sorta keeping a bit of a journal going, on FF, so I can try and track how I feel at various stages of the month, and I'd say being aware of what is normal and not normal in terms of how my body feels and what it does will be really helpful to me personally.

Moreso than even temping, because I have a feeling I'd suck at it!!

[winecheery]

Sept 21, 2012 14:30:00 GMT -5 nevafaye said:

If you're brave, there ARE pictures online if you Google/images "egg white cervical mucous."

I really don't know if I am that brave...buuuuut I might be that curious...

[Deleted]

Sept 21, 2012 14:40:25 GMT -5 thoseareradishes said:

It is really hard I think to figure out what is what! Then when you mix sex in it gets even harder (semen leftovers).

aFREAKINGmen! I find it hard to tell as well. I go with my gut. Luckily, after only temping 2 cycles I already feel like I am really getting in tune with my body and just knowing when things are happening.

If I had to just rely on knowing what is and what isn't when I check my CM, I may never have a kid, lol

[winecheery]

Sept 21, 2012 15:11:18 GMT -5 ruxin said:

I can't remember, do you use OPKs? I bought some (the CVS brand) last month after my CB fertility monitor randomly stopped working and they were really helpful if I was questioning. I didn't even use them in the morning, just when I got home from work and they still showed positive and confirmed when I thought I was ovulating.

I tried one for shits last cycle, but I missed the LH surge, or I was wrong about the day I Od. Which would make sense, cuz it was cycle one, and I just tried it on CD14 because that's "normal" for a 28 day cycle. I got my period at 31 days tho, so within a normal cycle length, but that put O a few days later. I thought maybe I didn't O at all, but people suggested that because AF showed up within a normal amount of time, I probably did O, and missed the surge.

Is today too soon to try an OPK? I have some. I was just, yanno, winging it this round. I'm going off of FF predicted dates based on cycle 1's length.

I guess I can try my OPKs tho...I mean, I'll just keep having regular sex this cycle regardless of any findings, but I do have some OPKs.

***edited for clarity***

[winecheery]

Ok cool. I think I will! I like peeing on things! (kidding)

I tested first thing in the AM last time, and I've since heard that's not the smartest choice. I just can't hold it for very long! I pee a lot, lol

[winecheery]

Took an OPK, was negative, but I'm not supposed to O til Tuesday sooo that makes sense. Will have sex anyways prob just in case! lol