Observations, Charting and Rules
Evelyn L. Billings AM, MBBS, DCH (Lond.) and
John J. Billings AM, KCSG, MD, FRACP, FRCP (Lond.)
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Contents
Observations of Mucus
Fertility
Summary of observations, charting and rules of
the Billings Ovulation Method
Observations of Mucus
A cycle lasts from the beginning of menstruation to the beginning
of the next menstruation. It can be short or long.
As a woman walks she can tell when menstruation begins. She feels
wet at the vulva. When she looks she sees blood.
In the same natural way she feels the presence of mucus when it
begins and notices how it changes from time to time. The sensation
and appearance change. Sperm live in the mucus. The mucus tells
the woman when she can conceive and when she cannot conceive.
A record is made every evening of any bleeding and mucus that has
been observed during the day, paying particular attention to vulval
sensations.
The first record is made for 2 to 4 weeks without any genital contact.
The female reproductive organs.
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Fertility
In order for a woman to be fertile there must be:
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A satisfactory ovulation with adequate ovarian hormones, oestrogen
and progesterone.
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Healthy sperm.
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An adequate cervical function to produce mucus which will enable
healthy sperm cells to reach and fertilize the egg.
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Healthy fallopian tubes to allow sperm to reach the egg and
to allow the embryo (baby) to reach the uterus.
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Healthy endometrium for implantation of the embryo.
-
Emotional harmony between husband and wife is also essential
for normal functioning of the woman's reproductive system.
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Summary of observations, charting and
rules of the Billings Ovulation Method
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Menstruation |
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Heavy
bleeding obscures mucus when ovulation is early |
| The Daily Record (Observation/Sensation/Appearance)
Wet, bleeding (red) ----------Dry, spotting-----------No mucus
felt or seen |
| To
avoid conception:
Wait during heavy bleeding |
 |
If you want to have
a baby:
Wait during heavy bleeding |
| Endometrium is shed. Ovary
is resting Vulva wet |
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Basic Infertile Pattern (BIP) |
|
Unchanging pattern
before the fertile phase, varying in length. |
The Daily Record (Observation/Sensation/Appearance)
Dry, nothing felt or seen (plain green)------OR------Dry,
slight mucus seen, same every day (plain yellow) |
| To
avoid conception:
Alternate evenings are available for intercourse when BIP
is identified |
|
If
you want to have a baby:
Alternate evenings only during BIP |
Sperm cannot enter
uterus. Sperm die. Ovary is resting. Vulva dry |
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Change |
|
Fertile pattern - Changing
pattern |
| The Daily Record (Observation/Sensation/Appearance)
Change No longer dry at
vulva (white baby)
Sensation change, appearance change; Wet, slippery at vulva
Clear mucus strings may appear, then disappear - Slipperiness
at vulva continues |
| To avoid conception:
Wait no genital contact |
 |
If you want to have a baby:
Wait until mucus becomes slippery |
| Ovary is active: cervix produces
fluid mucus and plug leaves cervix making sperm entry possible;
Vulva no longer dry |
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Peak Fertility
- Vulva feels swollen, soft and slippery |
 |
Fertile pattern - Changing
pattern |
The Daily Record (Observation/Sensation/Appearance)
Continuation of Change (see
above) |
To avoid conception:
Day of maximum fertility. Genital contact should be avoided
until the 4th morning past the Peak. |
 |
If you want to have a baby:
Have intercourse when the sensation is slippery and the vulva
is soft and swollen. |
Peak fertility
- Vulva feels swollen, soft and slippery |
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Days 1, 2 & 3 After Peak |
 
 |
Fertile for 3 days after
Peak, sperm may still enter.
Ovulation occurs on only one day in cycle: Peak or Day 1 or
Day 2 after Peak |
The Daily Record (Observation/Sensation/Appearance)
Sticky mucus (yellow baby) - Dry (green baby) - No longer
wet or slippery |
To avoid conception:
Still waiting, intercourse is available from the 4th morning
past the Peak. |
 |
If you want to have a baby:
Intercourse may still result in conception during these 3
days. |
Sperm joins
egg in tube. Endometrium prepares for pregnancy.
- Vulva no longer wet or slippery. |
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Next Cycle |
|
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Next cycle begins
(red) |
To avoid conception:
Wait |
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If you want to have a baby:
Ovulation sometimes occurs before bleeding ends
Slippery mucus indicates the best time for conception |
The Authors gratefully acknowledge Jane Mooney for the original
artwork.
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