Billings Ovulation Method:
What Is It?
Billings provides women with a simple marker of fertility that is easily recognizable. The volume and texture of mucus produced at the vulva (opening of vagina) can be used to accurately identify when a women will ovulate. Knowledge of fertile and infertile phases during the menstrual cycle can be used by couples to plan the desired number and spacing of children. All it takes is teaching each women how to interpret the sensation of cervical mucus produced at the vulva and relating it to level of fertility. Cervical mucus is a requirement to conceive - no mucus = no fertilization.
How to Interpret Mucus Changes?
Begin by using a journal where the woman records her daily cervical mucus observations with an emphasis on the sensation the mucus produces at the vulva and the characteristics of any vaginal discharge. All it takes is a mental note each evening where the woman records the sensation she feels at her vulva in her own words. After 2-4 weeks practice and with the help of a certified Billings teacher, the interpretation of sensation will become second nature and she will begin to understand how this information relates to her state of fertility. During this initial training phase of 2 weeks, sexual intercourse is not recommended in order to accurately interpret cervical mucus changes without confounding seminal fluid discharge. Sensations are often described by words such as dry, nothing, sticky, wet, moist, slippery, and/or lubricative.
What is the Basic Infertile Pattern (BIP)?
After menstruation, if a woman feels no mucus or has a dry vulva sensation, this is known as the basic infertile pattern of dryness. If a woman feels a constant discharge that produces the same sensation and appearance and continues daily without any changes, this is known as the basic infertile pattern of discharge. In both cases, the woman is infertile and sexual intercourse will not result in pregnancy since ovulation has not yet occurred and the cervical mucus is not of suitable characteristic to promote sperm survival and transport. The BIP length varies according to the length of the menstrual cycle. For example, a cycle length of 28 days often corresponds to a BIP of 2-3 days after menstruation. It may take several cycles in order to confidently identify the BIP and when it changes to the fertile phase.
What is the Changing Pattern of Fertility?
The first indication of fertility is when there is a variation in sensation or appearance from the woman's BIP. Mucus often becomes thinner, clearer, more profuse, and merely slippery. The sensation at the vulva is most important since the physical presence of mucus may not be visible. On average, the first sign of fertility occurs six days before ovulation. If pregnancy is to be avoided, no sexual intercourse may occur during the fertile phase.
When Does Peak Fertility Occur?
The last day a woman senses a vulva sensation of slipperiness or lubrication is her most fertile day. However the peak day can only be identified in retrospect since the peak day can only be known after comparing it to a day followed by dryness. Ovulation usually occurs within 1-2 days of the peak day.
What Is It?
Billings provides women with a simple marker of fertility that is easily recognizable. The volume and texture of mucus produced at the vulva (opening of vagina) can be used to accurately identify when a women will ovulate. Knowledge of fertile and infertile phases during the menstrual cycle can be used by couples to plan the desired number and spacing of children. All it takes is teaching each women how to interpret the sensation of cervical mucus produced at the vulva and relating it to level of fertility. Cervical mucus is a requirement to conceive - no mucus = no fertilization.
How to Interpret Mucus Changes?
Begin by using a journal where the woman records her daily cervical mucus observations with an emphasis on the sensation the mucus produces at the vulva and the characteristics of any vaginal discharge. All it takes is a mental note each evening where the woman records the sensation she feels at her vulva in her own words. After 2-4 weeks practice and with the help of a certified Billings teacher, the interpretation of sensation will become second nature and she will begin to understand how this information relates to her state of fertility. During this initial training phase of 2 weeks, sexual intercourse is not recommended in order to accurately interpret cervical mucus changes without confounding seminal fluid discharge. Sensations are often described by words such as dry, nothing, sticky, wet, moist, slippery, and/or lubricative.
What is the Basic Infertile Pattern (BIP)?
After menstruation, if a woman feels no mucus or has a dry vulva sensation, this is known as the basic infertile pattern of dryness. If a woman feels a constant discharge that produces the same sensation and appearance and continues daily without any changes, this is known as the basic infertile pattern of discharge. In both cases, the woman is infertile and sexual intercourse will not result in pregnancy since ovulation has not yet occurred and the cervical mucus is not of suitable characteristic to promote sperm survival and transport. The BIP length varies according to the length of the menstrual cycle. For example, a cycle length of 28 days often corresponds to a BIP of 2-3 days after menstruation. It may take several cycles in order to confidently identify the BIP and when it changes to the fertile phase.
What is the Changing Pattern of Fertility?
The first indication of fertility is when there is a variation in sensation or appearance from the woman's BIP. Mucus often becomes thinner, clearer, more profuse, and merely slippery. The sensation at the vulva is most important since the physical presence of mucus may not be visible. On average, the first sign of fertility occurs six days before ovulation. If pregnancy is to be avoided, no sexual intercourse may occur during the fertile phase.
When Does Peak Fertility Occur?
The last day a woman senses a vulva sensation of slipperiness or lubrication is her most fertile day. However the peak day can only be identified in retrospect since the peak day can only be known after comparing it to a day followed by dryness. Ovulation usually occurs within 1-2 days of the peak day.
What are the Rules to Avoid Pregnancy?
Early Day Rule #1 = Avoid intercourse on days of heavy menstruation. Ovulation can occurs as early as 5-6 days into a cycle. Therefore menstruation can mask the signs of cervical mucus.
Early Day Rule #2 = Intercourse is permitted on alternate days during the BIP. This allows a woman to interpret any changes in the BIP with greater certainty by allowing time for the change to occur and for any residual seminal fluid discharge to pass to prevent confusing it with cervical mucus.
Early Day Rule #3 = When there is a change in the BIP, wait and see. When in doubt, apply the peak rule (wait 3 days after the change in mucus).
The Peak Rule = Intercourse if permitted at any time from the beginning of the fourth day after the peak day (four days includes the peak day) until the next menstruation.
Reference:
1) Billings E, Westmore A. The Billings Method: Using the Body’s Natural Signal of Fertility to Achieve or Avoid Pregnancy. Melbourne, AU: Penguin Books Australia Ltd.;2008.
2) Corkill M, Marshell M. How To Treat – Pull Out Section, Natural Fertility Regulation, The Billings Ovulation Method. Australian Doctor. December 2008. available at: www.australiandoctor.com.au
Please watch the video below which does a good job explaining the Billings Ovulation Method with excellent audio and visual aids.
Early Day Rule #1 = Avoid intercourse on days of heavy menstruation. Ovulation can occurs as early as 5-6 days into a cycle. Therefore menstruation can mask the signs of cervical mucus.
Early Day Rule #2 = Intercourse is permitted on alternate days during the BIP. This allows a woman to interpret any changes in the BIP with greater certainty by allowing time for the change to occur and for any residual seminal fluid discharge to pass to prevent confusing it with cervical mucus.
Early Day Rule #3 = When there is a change in the BIP, wait and see. When in doubt, apply the peak rule (wait 3 days after the change in mucus).
The Peak Rule = Intercourse if permitted at any time from the beginning of the fourth day after the peak day (four days includes the peak day) until the next menstruation.
Reference:
1) Billings E, Westmore A. The Billings Method: Using the Body’s Natural Signal of Fertility to Achieve or Avoid Pregnancy. Melbourne, AU: Penguin Books Australia Ltd.;2008.
2) Corkill M, Marshell M. How To Treat – Pull Out Section, Natural Fertility Regulation, The Billings Ovulation Method. Australian Doctor. December 2008. available at: www.australiandoctor.com.au
Please watch the video below which does a good job explaining the Billings Ovulation Method with excellent audio and visual aids.