The Two Tools Of Mucous And Temperature

MUCOUS: Stretchy clear fertile mucous is noticeable three to nine days before ovulation. Normally, a woman will notice an abundance of mucous after her period is over, especially when she wipes herself before or after going to the bathroom. At first the mucous is pasty, sticky and cloudy in colour, progressing to a wet, slippery, stretchy and transparent mucous. This stretchy clear mucous is the most fertile mucous. However, it is possible to get pregnant on any "wet" or mucousy day before ovulation. After ovulation, the so called "dry" or safe days begin. Although it takes practice to be able to detect the mucous changes, after a while the procedure becomes easy and automatic.

Another new way to check your mucous is using the PG-53 fertility tester. This is a small pocket microscope to examine the mucous with. During ovulation the clear stretchy mucous will crystallize forming a beautiful fern-like pattern under the microscope. This method has apparently been used in Europe for a decade. It may be most useful for women who have trouble interpreting their mucous pattern.

Drawbacks include inconsistent or confusing results from the microscope reading, and lack of availability except in Europe.

BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE (BBT): BBT is the body's baseline resting temperature, best measured first thing in the morning after at least five hours of restful sleep unaffected by eating, excitement or activity. The body's hormones cause the BBT to rise by at least 0.2 to 0.5 degrees centigrade at the time of ovulation. The temperature will remain elevated until the period begins.

The most convenient way to measure BBT is using a digital basal body thermometer that reads to at least two decimal points. This thermometer costs about twenty dollars and gives its reading in only 30 seconds.

BBT records for at least three cycles are required for any woman going to a fertility clinic. They are also recommended for women who have irregular or absent periods. Irregular cycles or even cycles which appear normal, but where there is no ovulation, can lead to bone loss in women of any age. In particular, women in their forties should be aware of whether or not they are ovulating. Bone loss at this time may lead to a higher risk for fractures at menopause. Charts for this purpose have been included in the chapter on menopause.

Another way to accurately record the BBT is to measure urine temperature from a first morning urine sample. Studies have shown that urinary temperature taking is as accurate as rectal or oral temperatures and as quick as a digital thermometer. OVUDATE-BBT kit contains 28 styrofoam cups, a chart and instructions.

Starting on the fifth day of your cycle, you urinate into one of the cups, and let it stand for at least a minute. The heat of the urine activates a heat sensitive sensor strip at the bottom of the cup. After you empty the cup, you can read the exact temperature from the bottom of the cup. Completed charts can be faxed to the manufacture who will do a computerized analysis of it and send a copy of the chart along with the interpretation to your doctor.

The kit has been modified so that only one reusable polystyrene cup is used and the temperature strip changed daily.

BIOSELF is a small hand held instrument that is a combined computer and BBT thermometer. It keeps track of a woman's cycle lengths and BBT curves and calculates probable times of fertility and infertility. After you take your temperature, a red, green or yellow light will flash on to let you know what phase of your cycle you are in. The information on your cycles can also be printed out, but only on a special printer at a Bioself outlet.

Although BBT is a very useful tool in determining if ovulation is indeed occurring, for the most accurate results it is essential to combine it with checking your mucous discharge. Temperature readings can be inaccurate during times of illness, excessive alcohol intake, travelling, or not enough rest. By contrast, mucous readings are more dependable throughout the cycle.

Natural Birth Control

Charting your mucous and temperature will enable you to tell which days in your cycle are the most fertile. Then you can avoid sex altogether on peak fertile days. An alternative is to use one of the barrier types of birth control, such as the condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap on those days. However, barrier methods have to be used very carefully at the most fertile times since failure rates at that time are higher.