Cervical palpation is a technique used by a woman in conjunction with other fertility signs to help identify the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. She assesses the texture, position and width of the opening of the cervix with her index finger.
During the fertile phase, the cervix becomes softer, higher and more open. During the infertile phase, the cervix becomes harder, lower and more closed. A woman learns to observe these changes in much the same way as the mucus and sensation indicators of fertility.
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| Infertility Treatment Steps |
If you decide to record these changes, you will be surprised at how clear they are. Be confident to touch yourself inside your vagina - you can't damage anything but it is recommended that you have short nails. Your vagina does not need to be sterile; neither do your hands when examining your cervix (washing your hands would be enough).
CHECKING YOUR CERVIX
You should examine the firmness of the cervix (soft/hard); as you approach ovulation increased oestrogen production softens the cervix.
Check the position (high/low) of your cervix. As you approach ovulation, it rises about 2-3 cm (1 inch). After ovulation it lowers again.
Check the opening of the cervix. As you approach ovulation it opens (it can admit your fingertip). After ovulation it will be closed.
Check the wetness (wet/dry) of the cervix. It will become wetter during ovulation and drier early and late in your cycle.
How to check? You have to do the checking in the same position all the time. Insert your finger all the way into your vagina until you feel the top. Examine the cervix.
How to Observe the Cervix
Check the cervix at the end of the day after the last observation of the exterior mucus. Wash your hands thoroughly before checking and make sure there is no dirt under your fingernails. Put one foot on a low chair or stool. Insert two fingers into your vagina and reach in, up and back.
The cervix will be felt on the underside of the tip of your finger. If you do not feel your cervix, try pressing on your lower abdomen. (If you press the abdomen when checking the cervix, do so each time you check. Consistency is important.)
Now place each of your fingers on opposite sides of the cervix and draw fingers together, gathering any mucus that may be on the cervix. Do not squeeze the cervix. Simply gather mucus if it is there. At the same time, observe the cervix for firmness, position and openness. Draw your closed fingers out and observe the mucus if it is present.
When not to Check the Cervix
Do not check your cervix during menstruation. The cervix is open and soft during menstruation and the menstrual flow contains mucus. Not only is it impossible to distinguish your fertile signs at this time, but it is easy to introduce infection into the pelvic area.
- Do not make your observation of the cervix right after you get up from your night's sleep or from a long nap. The cervix tends to be consistently higher when first rising.
- Do not make your observation of the cervix right after a bowel because the bowel movement can cause the cervix to open or change its position.
- If you have a number two or higher pap smear, discontinue the cervical check until your cervix returns to normal. If you have an active outbreak of genital herpes or genital warts, do not check the cervix.
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| Infertility Treatment Steps |
If you are checking your cervix, Peak Day is defined as the last day of any fertile sign: slippery mucus or slippery feeling or low, soft or open cervix is a good time for intercourse. To find out more, you can check out Infertility Treatment Steps.
