I'm new at TTC. I've been on this forum loads since we've started trying.
Anyway, a few people on here have mentioned that there cervix is high, how do you know this? can you feel it?
Yes, you can feel it. The walls of your vagina are soft and squishy. Most of the time (when you are not fertile) your cervix is generally lower and easier to feel. If you insert one or two fingers, you are looking for a smooth donut shaped object that is about an inch in diameter.
https://www.pennhealth.com/health_info/pregnancy/graphics/images/en/19726.jpg
As you can see you are feeling the opening of the uterus. As you progress through your menstrual cycle the fertile hormones cause your uterus and cervix to move into a position that is condusive to procreation. The uterus rises in your body, and the cervix itself prepares the way for lots of sperm.
The muscle of the cervix softens, the os (or the center dimpled opening) opens a bit and your cervix produces lots of egg white like cervical mucous which helps the sperm move and stay alive as they make their way to your waiting egg.
So, on a daily basis you are looking for patterns in the position and 'structure' of your cervix. But just a word of caution. Cervical position or CP is a SECONDARY method of determining fertility. In other words it is not always a very predictable way to determine fertility by itself and should always be used in conjunction with a primary method (checking CM or cervical mucous is a primary sign).
To chart your CP you will want to pick a time of day and do it the same time everyday. You also want to be in the same position when you check your cervix. As we move through the day our cervix tends to drop lower into our vagina anyway.
So after a while you'll be able to tell if it's high or sorta high or low. Then you also want to check the os (opening) and determine whether its closed, or open. The os will open when you are fertile, and when you have your period. You'll also want to check the softness of the tissue. It ranges from feeling like the end of your nose (hard) to feeling like your relaxed bottom lip (soft and FERTILE). And finally, take note of the fluid covering the cervix. When it's wet and slimy and clearish like egg whites you are good to go to start BDing!
A lot of women use the acronym SHOW to help them remember what they are looking for Soft High Open Wet.
Also someone mentioned that they used a mirror to look at it.
Sorry if they seem like silly questions.
These are NOT silly questions! I don't use a mirror to check mine, I've always just felt for it. I've been charting around 5 years and I check mostly CM when I chart. Once in a while I'll check CP just to make sure everything is still working as I expect.
TMI warning: I check when I shower. My hands are already clean... I just squat down, check quick and I'm done.
Anyway, there are a lot of websites like
www.fertilityfriend.com which have tutorials and much more in depth information and Q&A's for people wishing to start charting their cycles.
Good luck to you!
