Cervical mucus in early pregnancy - what does it mean when you are TTCing?
If you're trying to get pregnant, cervical mucus monitoring can be a helpful way to gauge whether or not you're ovulating. Here's what you need to know about cervical mucus in early pregnancy.
During the first weeks of pregnancy, cervical mucus may change in color and consistency. You may notice stickier, white, or yellow mucus, known as leucorrhea. As your pregnancy progresses, your vaginal discharge may continue to change.
What is egg white cervical mucus and the cervical mucus stages?
Egg white cervical mucus production is a clear, stretchy fluid that you'll see a few days before ovulation in response to hormonal changes. This type of discharge can continue for up to 1 to 2 days after ovulation. Ovulation is when your ovaries release an egg to be fertilized by sperm.
Cervical mucus changes - what does it mean?
Changes in cervical mucus can be a sign of early pregnancy. After ovulation, your cervical mucus thickens or dries up, then you eventually get your period.
However, if you conceived at ovulation, you may still produce some cervical mucus and vaginal discharge. This can indicate to some women that they might have conceived.
Menstrual cycle and cervical mucus changes
When you're trying to conceive (TTC), you soon become a certified expert in your cervical mucus and discharge!
Monitoring changes in your discharge can be a great way to figure out exactly when you're ovulating and, thus, when it's time to bring your A-game and try for a baby.
After your fertile window ends and you're waiting to see if you've been successful, you're likely still do cervical mucus monitoring on yourself.
How does cervical mucus change before period?
Hormones cause your cervical mucus to change in texture, volume, and color throughout your menstrual cycle. It can be used to identify when you are most fertile.
Your mucus is thick, white, and dry before ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg). Just before ovulation, your cervical mucus will turn clear and slippery.
You may see more cervical mucus than you do earlier in your menstrual cycle. The amount slowly declines from the large amount during ovulation until it becomes thicker and sticky, almost like glue. On average, this mucus lasts for 11 to 14 days. The cervical mucus right before your period may also look yellow at times.
Here are some symptoms of early pregnancy
- changes in mood or energy level
- cramps or spotting
- breast tenderness
- nausea or vomiting
- increased urination
- cervical mucus changes
- vaginal discharge
- implantation bleeding occurs
Not everyone is the same
If you're trying to conceive, it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy and understand that not everyone is the same. What might be severe symptoms for some women might go unnoticed by you.
Also, keep in mind that not everyone experiences every symptom, and some people experience different symptoms at different stages of pregnancy. There are no two pregnancies alike!
If you have any concerns, be sure to speak with your doctor.
Mood swing and early pregnancy symptoms
Women's health and pregnancy symptoms may vary from woman to woman. Some women experience no symptoms at all in the early weeks of pregnancy. Others have symptoms that are very similar to PMS (premenstrual syndrome). The most common symptoms include fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea, and menstrual period unless pregnancy occurs.
Some women may not experience any pregnancy symptoms during the earliest part of the luteal phase. This is because pregnancy does not occur until the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus. Everyone is different and it's important to listen to your body.
There are some signs that a woman might be pregnant during the first week of the luteal phase. We've listed the most common below.
Some key early pregnancy symptoms can include
- nausea
- fatigue
- breast tenderness
- changes in the menstrual cycle
- morning sickness/changes in food
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms and some people experience different symptoms at different stages of pregnancy. It's key that you listen to your body and know what seems unusual to you.
A few more early pregnancy symptoms to watch out for
- breast tenderness
- bloating
- food cravings
- increased nipple sensitivity
- headaches and muscle aches
- morning sickness
- tiredness
- mood swings
- cervical mucus change
- vaginal discharge
However, some early pregnancy symptoms may also occur in those who are not pregnant. This is because of the increased levels of progesterone that are present during the last stages of the menstrual cycle.
Get advice from your healthcare professional
If you are concerned, get checked out by a healthcare professional to determine the cause of your symptoms and to rule out pregnancy.
A message from OvuSense
Wishing you all the best on your fertility journey. Please reach out to us anytime if you have questions, we are here to help. Email us: [email protected]
Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.