Peak cervical mucus: an effective approach to achieving pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction Infertility is a major personal and public health issue. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are limited by cost, psychosocial impact and accessibility. Knowledge of the physiological signs of fertility can increase the probability of conception or be used to avoid conception. <br/> Aims 1.To assess the utility of a fertility awareness based method (FABM) of family planning for achieving pregnancy. 2.To account for factors including age, duration of unplanned infertility, and physiological features that contribute to conception failure/success. <br/> Methods Records from 449 consecutive women presenting at least twice to 17 Australian Billings Ovulation Method® clinics from 1999 - 2003 were collated along with a mailed questionnaire. Participants were instructed in fertility-awareness and to time their intercourse with the Peak mucus symptom, ie the last day of the slippery sensation Follow-up was up to 24 months.