Advice on charting cervical position to monitor fertility, identify ovulation and predict pregnancy.Discuss charting cervical position on our forums, right now! Or, post a comment below.The cervix is the part of a woman's reproductive system that separates the vagina from the uterus. During different phases of the menstrual cycle the position and feel of the cervix changes. Charting the position of your cervix on a daily basis can supplement the fertility information provided by BBT and cervical mucus monitoring and help you establish the duration of your menstrual phases and consequently the time at which you have the highest chance of conceiving.
At the beginning of the menstrual cycle the cervix will be almost closed, sit low in the vaginal canal and feel firm to the touch. This positioning is indicative of an infertile stage of the cycle and is due to higher levels of the hormone progesterone in the body.
As oestrogen levels rise through the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and ovulation approaches, the cervix becomes progressively softer to the touch, the opening to the cervix will increase in size and the cervix will move to a higher position in the vaginal canal. If fertalisation does not occur then the cervix will return to its low, closed position through the latter half of the menstrual cycle.
Although cervical position is a good secondary measure of fertility some do feel that it is too invasive a process to be carried out daily. If you do choose to use this method it is essential that you thoroughly clean your hands and nails first. Many people take the opportunity to simultaneously examine the consistency of their cervical mucus internally.
When checking cervical position it is best to ensure that you are relaxed (after a shower could be a good time) and insert one or two fingers into the vagina until the cervix is felt. You should take care not to scratch or irritate the internal walls. You may find that squatting, sitting on the toilet or putting a foot on the side of the bath provides a comfortable position. You should begin to chart your cervical position the day after the last day of your period and stop at the end of your menstrual cycle.
Although this method is not favoured by everyone, cervical position charting can provide a good way to supplement other charting methods and help you to establish your fertility patterns.
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