The Luteal Phase
Figure 9 illustrates the luteal phase of the cycle, where from
the fourth day after the Peak (the last day of the slippery sensation
at the vulva) the cervix is closed with a thick plug of mucus, preventing
sperm cells from entering the cavity of the uterus. The corpus luteum
is in the ovary producing both oestrogen and progesterone. If there
has been no genital contact from the beginning of the first point
of change to the beginning of the fourth day past the Peak, the
egg will not have been fertilized and will disintegrate in the fallopian
tube.
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Menstruation (Figure 10) heralds the end of the cycle, usually
11 - 16 days after ovulation, and the start of the next cycle. The
plug has left the cervix to allow the passage of blood from the
uterus to the exterior. The ovaries have now returned to their quiescent
state.
| Figure 10. Menstruation which usually occurs
11-16 days after ovulation.
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Delayed Ovulation - the Extended
Pre-ovulatory Phase and the Basic Infertile Pattern
Ovulation is often delayed at times of stress, during lactation
and at the pre-menopause. The concept of the Basic Infertile Pattern
is an essential element of the Billings Ovulation Method. Recognition
of this unchanging pattern of pre-ovulatory infertility allows freedom
for intercourse without conception in the pre-ovulatory phase, no
matter how long or how short it may be.
The Basic Infertile Pattern is an unchanging pattern, observed
over a period of at least two weeks, of either:
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no mucus (vulval dryness); or
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an unchanging discharge at the vulva which accompanies a low
unchanging level of oestrogen; or
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a combination of (1) and (2) when the discharge remains unchanged
during 2 weeks of observation and is interrupted by dry days.
The Basic Infertile Pattern of discharge, examples (2) and (3),
is of vaginal origin. When the oestrogen rises sufficiently to cause
a cervical response, the pattern changes and signifies possible
fertility. Rising and falling oestrogens may produce an endometrial
response with bleeding, either break-through or withdrawal bleeding.
The Early Day Rules (see below) applied to the Basic Infertile
Pattern provide security in the Billings Ovulation Method, and ensure
the recognition of the return of fertility in the case of delayed
ovulation due to any cause.
Cervical Failure and the Basic Infertile Pattern
The cervix must produce adequate mucus for the proper functioning
of sperm. Under some circumstances, e.g. approaching menopause,
post contraceptive medication, the cervix fails to respond to the
oestrogenic stimulus with consequent failure of the sperm-receptive
mucus discharge. The woman is then infertile, even if she is ovulating.
She will recognise this as an unchanging pattern, i.e.
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BIP of dryness,
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an unchanging discharge, or
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a combination of both dry and unchanging discharge.
The Early Day Rules apply, allowing any return of fertility to
be recognised.
The Rules of the Billings Ovulation Method
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For the Achievement of Pregnancy:
Apply the Early Day Rules. This enables the change to the fertile
pattern of mucus to be recognized. Then postpone intercourse
until slippery mucus occurs. The next few days are the most
fertile. Therefore intercourse should occur while slippery mucus
is obvious and for one or two days past the Peak.
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For the Postponement of Pregnancy:
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The Early Day Rules and
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The Peak Rule
are applied. These rules are as follows:
The Early Day Rules
Rule 1: Avoid intercourse on days of heavy bleeding during menstruation.
Rule 2: Alternate evenings are available for intercourse when these
days have been recognized as infertile. (Basic Infertile Pattern)
Rule 3: Avoid intercourse on any day of discharge or bleeding which
interrupts the Basic Infertile Pattern. Allow 3 days of Basic Infertile
Pattern afterwards before intercourse is resumed on the fourth evening.
Rule 2 continues.
The Peak Rule
When the Peak is identified following a change from the BIP, the
Peak Rule is applied. From the beginning of the fourth day following
the Peak until the end of the cycle intercourse is available every
day at any time.
Importance of Charting
If these guidelines are applied, the couple can expect 99% success
in avoiding pregnancy.
The daily chart is important in reminding a woman to pay attention
to the mucus sign every day.
The record gives valuable information to the husband, so that he
and his wife can discuss the possibilities, and together decide
when they will bring their first or next baby into the world. In
this way a powerful and loving communication is set up between them
and the baby is welcomed and loved.
Legends to Stamps and Symbols
The legends to the various coloured stamps and symbols used in
the charts, are given on the page Charts
- The Visual Record.
Blank Charts to Print for Personal
Use
Chart with legend
Chart only
Note: if the chart does not print satisfactorily from your browser,
try changing the font size on your browser. |
for discharge or 
for dry. The egg has gone, the woman is infertile. 