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Cervical mucus changes in texture, color, and smell throughout your cycle. By checking it every day, you can use the patterns you find to predict when your body is fertile. Though the exact days can differ for each woman, you will tend to ovulate between day 11-21 of your monthly cycle, each cycle starting at day 1 when your period begins. Wash your hands first, then gently insert your middle finger into your vagina. You may want to swipe your finger from front to back to check for mucus. After your period, you'll most likely notice that you don't have any discharge and your vagina may be drier than usual. If you're using this method in conjunction with your basal body temperature, try to do them at the same time in the morning so it's easier to keep track of things. Every day as you check your mucus, look at it and press it to your thumb to check its texture. As your hormones fluctuate, the characteristics of the mucus will change, too. During the days following your period, you may have no discharge, then slightly cloudy or creamy discharge. Once it takes on the consistency of egg whites, you'll be at peak-fertility level and have a high chance on getting pregnant. When you're most fertile, the discharge may even stretch between your fingers without breaking. Ovulation occurs on or after the last day this mucus is produced. Keep in mind that you can still get pregnant during the 5 or so days before you ovulate, so even if your discharge doesn't quite have an egg-white texture yet, you are still somewhat fertile. Every single day, write down the color and texture of your mucus. If you're also tracking your basal body temperature, use the same calendar so you have all the data in the same place. Don't forget to record the date, too! Here are some examples of detailed entries you might write: 4/22: Mucus is tacky and white. 4/26: Mucus is whitish and runny, like egg whites. 4/31: Period started; heavy flow. You're most fertile when your mucus has the consistency of stretchy egg whites, but err on the safe side by avoiding sex for a few days before and after your mucus takes on these qualities. After tracking your patterns for a few months, you'll start to better predict when you'll be fertile each month. If you're tracking your basal body temperature, compare the data. Your mucus will probably turn stretchy and wet several days before your body temperature spikes. Ovulation typically happens between the change in mucus and your temperature spike.
Begin checking your cervical mucus once your period has tapered off. Check your mucus at the same time every morning to test its consistency. Observe your mucus until it begins to get thin and stretchy. Keep a written record of your mucus so you can track your body's pattern. Avoid unprotected sex when your mucus changes from tacky to creamy.