Observe your fertility signs

Basal body temperature - To check this you need a basal thermometer (see the side bar or your local drug store.). The first fertility sign you'll take each day is your waking basal body temperature. Remember consistency is key, so always use the same spot in your mouth. It should be taken at the same waking time each day. This is your body temperature uninfluenced by activity, food, liquid, smoking, etc.

  • If you take your temperature more than a half an hour before or after your normal waking time, record it and a disturbance.
  • Light activity during the night, such as taking care of kids, should not affect your temperature.
  • You should have at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep before taking your temperature.
  • Working different shifts should not be a problem. Take your temperature upon waking after your longest and best rest of the 24 hour day.

Cervical Mucus - External and internal.

To check this externally you will need white, unscented toilet paper; folded not crumpled.

  • Wipe from front to back; as you do notice how the paper feels on your vagina (dry, slippery or lubricated)
  • Look at the paper. If you see mucus, note the color, if any, and if it is cloudy or clear.
  • Test the mucus by touching it; pulling your finger away gradually. If it does not stretch at all it is generally a less fertile type mucus. If it breaks right away or stretches up to a half inch it is tacky, also less fertile type mucus. If it stretches a half inch or more, it is fertile type mucus. (Please note, the "less fertile" description may be confusing, you are considered fertile whenever any mucus is present.)
  • Make your external mucus observation each time you go to the bathroom. The most fertile observation of the day is the one you chart.

To check internally you will need a pair of clean hands.

  • Insert your index and middle fingers into your vagina to the cervix. Open your fingers and and place them on either side of the cervix; gently draw your fingers together, down the tip of the cervix. Keep your fingers together as your withdraw them. Now separate them and look for mucus. Interpret internal mucus in the manner described above.
  • Make no more than two internal observations (one at midday, and one before bed) if you are not making external observations.

Peak day - Is the last day of fertile type mucus before it starts drying up. Ovulation cannot be pinpointed with either temperatures or mucus sign, but it does give you a marker.

Cervix - The part of the uterus that open into the vagina. It is about one inch thick, firm, and cylindrical. Imagine the uterus is about the size and shape of a small pear, small end down, with the stem removed. You are going to be checking the cervical os, latin for "mouth," which feels something like the indentation of the pear where the stem was removed.

  • Phase I and III - During the infertile times your cervix is firm (like the tip of your nose), closed, and relitively easy to reach with your middle finger (low)
  • Phase II - As ovulation approaches and you become more fertile: the os opens slightly, becomes softer, rises, and becomes more difficult to reach.

To check your cervix, sit on an open toilet or stand with one foot on a stool or low chair; insert you clean middle finger into your vigina to touch the cervix. You may need to gently push on your abdomen during Phases I and III if your are having difficulty finding it; no need to do this during Phase II. Make your observation once or twice a day at the same time you make your internal mucus check.