Charting-to-Avoid Volume 2 [Archive] - Page 2

kemaji

12-06-2005, 07:18 AM

Holy cow! So much drama! With regards to the 'rules' of the thread, I like the way tlew put it and that would work for those who want to actually be member (with their stats posted). I also want to emphasize that everyone is welcome to come in and ask questions regardless of TTA, TTC, or seeing what happens and they don't have to be a member to do so. I don't really want this thread to become some little group that newbies are too intimidated to join because they are afraid of messing up the rules.

Congrats to lawgirl! I'm so jealous about your India trip...you definitely have to come back and tell us all about it.

Welcome to the newbies! I know there a few of you back there and I'll add your stats shortly.

kemaji

12-06-2005, 07:26 AM

Updated to here.

boilermaker

12-06-2005, 08:38 AM

I'm still lurking around.

First, congrats to Tonysweetie. I have to say I think you are a prime example of both how well charting can tell you what is going on with your body (as evidenced by all the people who figured your were pg) and that withdrawal is just not really birth control. But I'm happy to see you are so thrilled with this month's "results".

lawgirl, congrats to graduating..I hope your TTC journey is short and sweet!

welcome to all the newbies.

For those of you who aren't morning people, how do you remember to take your temp every morning. I'll go 3-4 days in a row then I'll have days like this morning where I barely could drag myself to the shower. As I'm getting dressed, I look over, see the thermometer and go "oh crap..." Did it take anyone else awhile to get into the habit of temping?

Clattercote

12-06-2005, 08:47 AM

Whoa! - We don't have internet at home so look what happens while I'm away from my desk!

I agree with tlew and kemaji, I don't think the thread needs to be limited - and I know as well how important it is to have helpful stats about antigrads on the front page - it helped convince me!

But if you're interested in the stats, you might be interested in
this (http://http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/cmr.htm)
It's a newsletter that gives summary reports of various NFP methods - it's clearly coming at it from a Catholic perspective (because after all, they're most likely to be interested in the research), but the articles it's citing come from all sorts of medical journals that aren't reporting from a Catholic perspective. It's handy reading, in my opinion. Take and read it, or not, depending on your fancy.

Clattercote

12-06-2005, 08:48 AM

boilermaker - I am not a morning person but DH is, and I make him remember - he just wakes me up, sticks the thermometer in my mouth, takes it out when it beeps, and I doze off again. It works well! :D

honeygirl

12-06-2005, 08:58 AM

Boilermaker - I am not a morning person and it did take me a while to get into the habit of temping. One thing that helped was setting the alarm for earlier than I normally wake up. That way all I do is temp at that time, not actually get up (so I don't forget).

Now after 4 months I find I get up naturally at that time, even if I don't set the alarm! :)

Good luck!

PS - Is anit-grad a good or bad thing?

tlew12778

12-06-2005, 08:59 AM

I am not a morning person either. It actually takes me a couple hours to really feel awake each day. FH makes fun of me all the time. BUT, I set my alarm for 8AM and I just know when it goes off that it means I need to temp... it's not really to wake myself up per se... even though I do use the snooze function like 4 times then crawl out of bed. On the w/e I set it, take the temp at 8AM, and go back to sleep (if I don't fall back asleep with the therm in my mouth :rolleyes: ).

tlew12778

12-06-2005, 09:00 AM

anti-grad = bad thing... it's a person who got a BFP while TTA.

SQ2

12-06-2005, 10:12 AM

if I don't fall back asleep with the therm in my mouthHehehe. I did that this morning. :)

Harmony96

12-06-2005, 10:22 AM

I fall asleep w/ the thermom in my mouth but then the silly thing wakes me back up again when it beeps when it's done. LOL

Andrea

AHammer

12-06-2005, 11:20 AM

I am coming up on where I got AF last month. I'm really hoping I have a longer-than-10-days LP. I know some of y'all talked a while back about very short LP's. Is 10 days really short? Is it reason for concern if it does become my usual pattern? thanks for any words of wisdom!!

tlew12778

12-06-2005, 11:24 AM

I had 11 and I asked my dr about it. Her exact words were "it could work"... but I think she has a very proactive approach to TTC bc when I was dx'ed with pcos she said she would put me on clomid if we wanted to have a kid now. No beating around the bush... so I would not have been surprised if she gave me progesterone supplements as well. Now that I took a 2 month BCP break it seems my LP has lengthened to 12-13 days, oddly enough...

Anyway there are plenty of girls that get BFPs with 10 day LPs. When the time comes, I would just mention it to the dr to see if s/he wants to do a progesterone test and perhaps supplement you for the first trimester.

Coccinelle

12-06-2005, 12:06 PM

I fall asleep w/ the thermom in my mouth but then the silly thing wakes me back up again when it beeps when it's done. LOL

Andrea

Me too!! ROTF!

honeygirl

12-06-2005, 12:22 PM

Temps are still rising and I'm still spotting (day 7). Looking at my last few cycles I've been bleeding WAY TOO much so I went ahead and made a DR appt. It's not till next month, but I feel better. Hopefully she'll know what's going on without any icky tests.

Tonysweetie

12-06-2005, 01:52 PM

I am not re-joining here but just wanted to say I'm not PG afterall, got a confirmed BFN today, but it's okay. I will chart on my own from now on so I don't mess up anything. Thanks girls :)

FSUSammy

12-06-2005, 02:01 PM

Tonysweetie -- Sorry to hear the news.

Sam

motray36

12-06-2005, 02:30 PM

Tonysweetie so sorry :( I hope you get your BFP soon enough...and please don't feel like you can't come ask us questions!

Clattercote

12-06-2005, 02:33 PM

Tonysweetie - I'm sorry to hear the news. What did the doctor say about your chart though? Come back and ask questions any time! :)

ETA: AHammer - 10 is on the short side, but I think docs get most concerned when LPs are 9 days or less (because implantation takes place on about day 7 after fertilization). I agree with tlew, when you get around to TTC, talk to the doc and see about your progesterone levels.

MrsKinnison

12-06-2005, 03:01 PM

honeygirl I'm dieting so I will pass on the cookie, but a glass of wine would be great!!!

FSUSammy

12-06-2005, 05:18 PM

Hey Ladies,

Need your help. I'm on CD7 (first cycle off of BCPs) and was dry all day up until around 5pm. Sorry if TMI, when I was in the bathroom I noticed some discharge which I guess could be CM. There wasn't much. Then about an hour and a half later when I was back in the bathroom I decided to wipe first to see if there was anything and there was some more discharge but it had a brown tint to it.

Could this be CM or be spotting due to my body coming off of BCPs?

Thanks!
Sam

tlew12778

12-07-2005, 01:51 AM

It could be either. When I first came off the pill I spotted for 2 weeks starting around CD9. I even went to the gyn about it (waste of money bc it was nothing... she just said to let her know if I didn't get my period by month end). You are CD7 so you will probably start having CM soon (if not already). I would check CM internally if you're comfortable with that. It'll give you a more accurate indicator than TP IMO.

chinadoll

12-07-2005, 04:44 AM

wow! so much drama!

Tonysweetie-- don't go because of the comments posted here! How are we supposed to convince people that charting is a great birth control method if we are shoo-ing people out of our own forum? no, no, no.

I honestly don't remember how I first came across the CTA thread, but I think it was on the old WC boards through a link in Sevilla's signature. I poked around, read some old posts and started asking questions before I decided to start charting myself. I wasn't convinced immediately, and if I hadn't been for all the helpful, friendly advice I doubt I would have stuck around the forum and given charting a chance. Obviously some of us are more "committed" to avoiding than others, but let's just be nice to everyone!

Rachel

boilermaker

12-07-2005, 05:10 AM

Tonysweetie, sorry about the BFN. It seems to me you are charting more to learn about your body then you are to either avoid or conceive. I don't think there is a thread on here for that :) Since I'm not one who can help you interpret your chart, my opinion doesn't count for much, but I personally would encourage you to stick around and learn as much as can.

Sammy, I can tell you that I had the same thing when I frist came off BC. My cycle was so screwy I didn't have a clue what was going on. It took about 3 months to finally get sort of normal again, both in terms of timing and discharge, AF, etc.

Ladies, thanks for letting me know I'm not alone on the morning thing. DH is no help as he thinks this whole thing is kind of silly. I'm just trying to do my best. My thermometer beeps single beeps the whole time than a triple beep when it's done, so no falling back to sleep for me. If I had known that, i prob would have bought a different thermometer!

eagleswings

12-07-2005, 05:53 AM

Goodness! I've been away for studying reasons and look at all that's been going on...

Anyway, I'm back today, not because exams are over (which they're not, unfortunately), but because I'd like some confirmation on my chart interpretation. Even though I've been doing this for a long time, my body is so wacky and inconsistent that I still don't feel 100% comfortable interpreting my charts on my own. I think I Oed on CD 29ish. Anyone care to chime in? TIA ladies!

Here's my chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/44e46)

motray36

12-07-2005, 06:26 AM

eagleswings - I would agree with CD29 based on temps (3 temps above previous 6), but the EW on CD31 throws me off a little.

FF called an O on CD25 for me...I'm still not at my normal post-O temps though, so I'm waiting and seeing!

VASLP

12-07-2005, 06:45 AM

HisSpicy

12-07-2005, 06:49 AM

Okay girls, I have a question. I am new to charting to avoid, as in I just started this week. Anyway, I was going to use fertilityfriend.com to keep track of my data, but the site says it cannot be used to avoid pregnancy. Is there any reason I shouldn't use that site just for the charts or is there vital information missing, or that they don't provide, that would put me at risk?
Thanks for the help in advance. As I'm sure you all know, beginning this process is a little daunting at first.

You can use it- just don't rely on it to interpret your chart for you, they're often wrong. (Example: this past cycle, they had me ovulating about 10 days after I really did, even when I had no cervical fluid for days and days before and after. When my period started like two days after their ovulation day for me, it still didn't change. According to them I'd have a two day luteal phase, and ovulate during a 10 day patch without any cervical fluid. :rolleyes: )
But, it's a free way to share your charts with us- I personally paper chart for myself to intrepret, and the FF is just extra.

VASLP

12-07-2005, 07:00 AM

kemaji

12-07-2005, 07:06 AM

eagleswings -- I would tend to agree with your interpretation with reservations. Both the EW on CD31 and how high many of your pre-O temps are in relation to the post O temps for this cycle are what I'm reserved about. For now, I'd say yes but I'd keep an extra close eye on what your body does. Hopefully your temps will continue to go up, I'd feel more comfortable if they were in the same range as last cycle (low 98s).

kemaji

12-07-2005, 07:07 AM

VASLP ~ Some of us use Ovusoft and it tends to be a bit more reliable than FF, although I still wouldn't rely on it 100% for interpretation. It is software that you download onto your computer and then you can upload your chart to the web. One main difference is that FF is free and Ovusoft costs $40.

AHammer

12-07-2005, 07:37 AM

Thanks HisSpicy, Is there a cite that interprets better? I am also doing a paper chart but since I'm new I was hoping to use a reliable cite to kind of "validate" my interpretation until I get the hand of it (so I don't end up with an "oops" and very stressed out husband!) ;)
Hi there! Welcome to charting,

Honestly, I don't trust any computer program or website to accurately interpret my chart, I just use them as a guide and a convenient way to keep track of my data.

I think the most reliable source of interpretation for me has come from the great women on this thread. Having four or five humans interpret a chart is always better than a computer, imo! I personally use FF just to keep my chart online so I refer to it when asking questions here.

Clattercote

12-07-2005, 11:38 AM

eagleswings - I agree with kemaji on your interpretation - the temp rise is there, but the day of EW is a bit worrisome. In this case, I'd rather use Art of NFP rules rather than TCOYF, because it's more specific - I'd call an overall thermal shift with an LTL of 97.4, and an HTL of 97.8. So you have to use rule B for UDD purposes, which requires 4 days of dry up. Because the EW is after the thermal shift and after the start of dry up, you can count it in this way: CD 29= peak day, CD 30 = P+1, CD 31 = ?, CD 32= P +2, CD 33 = P +3, and CD 34 = P+4. So you're good for UDD tonight :) (Whenever you get some fertile quality CM in the middle of dry up, especially when it comes during or after a thermal shift, count it as a question mark - if it dries up again the very next day - 1 day ONLY - then you can count it as a question mark and resume the P+4 count from where you left off.) ETA: Just saw the note you posted in your chart about S= stretchy CM. Because of this, I'd still call it a fertile CM, then, because of the fertile CM on the days surrounding that S. So I'd actually call P on CD 30 or 31 (depending on how confident you are in your S interpretation), and countdown from there. This will mean holding off UDD for a couple more days, but it also means that your temps are more likely to be in the range Kemaji suggested.

VALSP - I wouldn't rely on either FF or Ovusoft for interpretations. Kemaji is correct, Ovusoft is a bit better at interp than FF is, but I have seen some VERY wrong interpretations with both programs. The problem is, of course, that the programs both use computer algorithms - but our bodies are decidedly NOT based on computer algorithms, so it's best to learn to interpret charts without these programs' help. It's sort of like what the math teachers used to say about learning to make calculations on your own without relying on calculators, though in this case, using the computer can mean a WILD miscalculation of your O date. I know that charting is confusing at the beginning - I'd pick either program to enter data, try to interpret your own chart regardless of what either program says, and then come here (BEFORE you UDD) and get one or more of us to back you up.

HisSpicy

12-07-2005, 11:43 AM

VASLP -I agree with kemaji that Ovusoft can be more reliable, but you have to pay- so it's a trade-off. I also agree completely with AHammer that the best guide to interpretation is this thread! I find that paper charting actually helps more because I can note things however I want, like if I have some EWCM but not lots, I can color half the box for it, so at a glance I will see not just that I had it, but whether it was a lot or a little. I do this type of coloring for all sorts of things on my chart, and because I more carefully and accurately note things on my chart, it's easier for me to interpret. Best advice I can give is maybe do a paper chart, at least initially, and be sure to track your fertility signs as closely as you can, it will help you establish your normal patterns more quickly- and you'll be able to give us more info. when you have questions. Hope this helps!

heather 8^)

12-07-2005, 11:56 AM

Hey ladies,

Long time no talk! I was an active member in the old days, dating all the way back to TTA Volume 1 on the "other" board, but I haven't been very active at all on this side. Just wanted to pop in and mention that I'm a successful grad! After 64 TTA charts, I graduated to TTC in July and got a BFP on my 4th chart TTCing (due July 2006).

I'd say that over 5 years of successful TTAing followed by success on the fourth TTC chart is pretty strong evidence that this method really works! I just wanted to pop in it because I remember how nervous I was when I first started charting, but there are lots of grads that have proven the effectiveness of this method. You gals are still the pros when it comes to chart interpretation, so keep up the great work! :D

kemaji

12-07-2005, 12:11 PM

Wow, Heather, that's awesome! Congrats and have a happy and healthy 9 mos!

Updated to here.

FSUSammy

12-07-2005, 12:33 PM

Congrats Heather. I'm a newbie so its great to hear how well it worked for you, it reassures me that this can work as long as I follow the rules.

Clattercote

12-07-2005, 12:48 PM

Congrats, Heather! I was wondering where'd you'd gone to...:)

M&M614

12-07-2005, 02:18 PM

Hi girls,

Thanks for your help on my chart. I was sure I hadn't ovulated yet. Here's to hoping this isn't another LONG annov cycle. :P

I was wondering. I wanted to read TCOYF, but haven't had the time yet. After finals this week (thank God they are almost over!) I am going to start reading it. Do you guys recommend it? Should I buy it, or just check it out at the library?

TonySweetie -- Sorry to hear about the BFN... do you have any idea why it happened?

Heather -- I'm a newbie, but that's awesome! Congrats.

And I forgot to mention -- I'll be TTC in March if all goes well.

Thanks!
Melissa

AHammer

12-07-2005, 03:58 PM

Melissa,

If it's at your local library, i'd just check it out. Maybe make copies of a few pages that have pictures on them, but for me I kinda internalized the information because it made so much sense and I've only used it as a reference once after reading it.

But then again, I'm a science teacher. Maybe that helped me understand it more on the first go-round. If you've been charting for a while now and it's not brand new to you, I'd say you don't need to buy it unless you really want to.

Amy

Reenie

12-07-2005, 06:07 PM

Okay, question: is it possible to have CM almost every single day?

I started spotting today, which means I'll have between 1-3 days of that before actual period. Here's my chart (I started charting mid-cycle just to get in the habit of getting up to temp, etc., so that my first full chart might be more accurate), My TTA chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1002c9), and I'm not sure if I O'd or if I missed it before I started charting, and I feel like a blundering idiot at this point. Does this thing mean anything to anyone?

bijouparvin

12-07-2005, 06:18 PM

ReenieI'm not much on advice around here but I can definitely tell you that I have CM every day is some way or another. It's really tough to chart mine but it's always there. HTH

kemaji

12-07-2005, 06:28 PM

Reenie, I have CM almost every day of my cycle as well. There is a day or two after AF and a day or two if I'm lucky after O where I can put down dry but other than that, I would consider my BIP (basic infertile pattern) to be sticky.

FSUSammy

12-08-2005, 04:44 AM

Melissa - I was able to read TCOYF within a few days. It's a very easy book to read. Plus you can probably skip the chapters on picking your child's sex and menopause since it doesn't apply right now. I think its handy to have the book around that I way I can refer to things and reread certain sections when I'm unsure of something. I'd definitely make the investment and buy it.

Sam

eagleswings

12-08-2005, 04:48 AM

Congrats Heather! That's wonderful!

Thanks for the help ladies... I was thrown off by the high pre-O temps too, but we were at my grandparents' for Thanksgiving, and their house was much warmer than ours is at night, so I'm guessing that had something to do with it. My temp was finally up in the low-98s range today, so I think we're good to go now. ;)

Clattercote

12-08-2005, 06:05 AM

M&M - If I were you, I'd buy TCOYF, because it's helpful to keep coming back to it - and especially if you're TTC in March, you'll find it helpful then for different reasons.

Reenie - There's not enough temp data to say for sure what is going on in your current chart - but the more your chart, the more experienced you'll get with determining what is fertile CM for you and what isn't. I get CM every day as well; that's when it's especially important to be able to differentiate between when your CM changes from infertile to fertile.

HisSpicy

12-08-2005, 06:57 AM

M&M614 I'd reccomend buying TCOYF for the reasons other people mentioned. It is such a good reference book, even though I know all the rules and such, I occasionally look up more info about the exact hormones and how they are working at certain times. And the biggest reason for me- there's no way FH can internalize all the info as quickly as I can. He doesn't go through it, so it won't immediately make sense to him. Having it on hand means he can get the exact specific answer he's looking for, and we both feel better about UDD when we both interpret my chart.

M&M614

12-08-2005, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the advice guys! I appreciate it. :)

Melissa

Reenie

12-09-2005, 04:32 AM

Thanks bijouparvin and kemaji for the info on CM. That has been the hardest part of charting for me so far because I don't want to make a mistake. I keep looking at the pics in TCOYF to compare. :o

And thanks to Clattercote for checking out my chart. I kinda thought it was too little info. Guess I'll have to wait another cycle to start figuring things out.

One more question, too: for those of you who have very regular cycles (in that you know which day you'll start your period), do you find that you O around the same time, too, for the most part?

southerner

12-09-2005, 05:17 AM

Chiming in to say this thread is awesome! What a bunch of resourceful and patient ladies in here. I'm sure over the volumes, y'all have answered the same questions and had similar discussions, so it's nice that "the experts" keep coming back to help out the newbies. I'm learning so much, I wish I had found it earlier :rolleyes:

I am going to start my first chart next month. I'm getting TCOYF for the holidays, so I'll read that. My first day of temping should be, when? The first day I see AF, right?

dana92504

12-09-2005, 05:38 AM

blah! my body sucks! i'm so not regular and then to have all the signs of ovulation on the horizon yet my temps don't rise. i hate you, stupid female parts! :mad:....*sigh* guess i'll see what happens over the next few days :(

Clattercote

12-09-2005, 05:50 AM

Dana - Yeah, it sucks, but I'd say you're correct. :(

Southerner - You can start now, if you like, but yes, a new chart starts the first day you see AF (bright red, not brown spotting)

Reenie - I usually O around the same time, but I never assume that, because there are cycles, such as this one, where O is thrown off by UTIs or other illnesses, or stress, or travel.

HisSpicy

12-09-2005, 06:51 AM

One more question, too: for those of you who have very regular cycles (in that you know which day you'll start your period), do you find that you O around the same time, too, for the most part?

I have only charted a few cycles- I know when my period is going to come, even though I do not ovulate around the same time. I had a 27 day cycle, followed by a 35 day cycle, and I had a 13 day LP for both. The next 27 day cycle had a 12 day LP, but from my emotions I knew it was coming a day early. So, I know when my period comes only after determining when I ovulate, but I'm not one to ovulate at the same time. (Looking back over the past 16 cycles that I have been keeping track of, but not offically charting, I have never had 2 cycles in a row be the same length-it's just the LP that you can count on being the same most of the time.)

boilermaker

12-09-2005, 07:10 AM

I'm excited. Even though I missed a few days this month, I think I'm seeing that temp rise I'm supposed to have!!!

ETA: Southerner, in my personal experience, I would start temping and charting as soon as you get your thermometer. It took me a little while to get in the habit (well, I'm still working on that part) plus, I never start AF til aroun 11 or so in the morning, so I would have missed my first day waiting for her to show up. It certainly can't hurt you.

ADSigMel

12-09-2005, 08:27 AM

Reenie
I'm not sure, but I think you may have O'd around the time you started charting. Without seeing more of your previous temps, I can't say for sure, but it looks like you temp rise might start on CD17. As for your CM, mine was like that my first cycle charting, too. I was only checking externally then. Only once in the past nine months since I've been charting have I had EWCM on the outside, so I started checking at the cervical os at the same time I check my CP, and that has worked a LOT better for me. Maybe if you try that, you'll find that your fertile times are easier to identify.

Dana
I'm right there with ya, sugar. For my past few cycles, I've thought for *sure* I was about to ovulate (Mittelschmerz, fertile CM, and all) only to have another month before I actually got my temp rise. I guess I'll bring in my charts to my next annual and see what the gyn has to say about it.

My fingers are crossed that I'll see an O someday soon. I'm starting to see some fertile CM, and I had a temp dip this morning (hopefully it's not just because it was so cold last night). So I'm praying for a temp rise within the next day or two. It really bites to have cycles as long as mine. My variation over the past nine months (four cycles) has been 34-91. I just don't understand what's wrong with me...I've been off the pill for almost two years now! :( I'm almost glad that we're not going to TTC for another year or so, just because I'm not looking forward to the agony of infertility.

M&M614

12-09-2005, 09:10 AM

Southerner -- I'd start temping as soon as you get your them too. If only to get used to doing it at the same time every morning.

Dana -- Honey, I totally understand! Last month, when I had my crazy long cycle, I'd have all the symptoms of ovulation, 2 days of temp rise... then a huge dip. This went on for 113 days! I'm sorry you are frustrated. Here's some O dust!

Okay... So I've got some high temps and such, here's to hoping they stick around! I'd love to know my body actually works. :) I'll be buying TCOYF soon. I'm so excited to read it.

DH has caught the baby bug BIG TIME! We were going to ttc in March... but he wants to start earlier. Its not that I"m exactly opposed to it, just seems like March is a more "optimal time" What to do... what to do?!

Melissa

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/df46b

tlew12778

12-09-2005, 09:44 AM

One more question, too: for those of you who have very regular cycles (in that you know which day you'll start your period), do you find that you O around the same time, too, for the most part? More or less yes. With rare exception I O btwn CD17 and CD20. If I am sick or travelling internationally, I may O a couple days later, but I can always explain the delay. The one time I could not explain the delay was the month before I was dx'ed with PCOS and in this instance I think I O'ed on CD23. In hindsight, I think it was my body warning me that something was wrong. The next month I had a 70 day cycle induced with progesterone. In the last two months I have gone back to O'ing around CD20.

AHammer

12-09-2005, 10:37 AM

Well, AF came today so I've charted two full cycles. For both I have O'd on CD23 and had a 10 day LP. Hooray for consistency!!!

honeygirl

12-09-2005, 10:57 AM

O dust for all of you ladies waiting. I too am frustrated with my cycles/"stupid female parts"!

I was able to move up my dr appt to monday (instead of next month). I am glad b/c I've been doing research (again) on midcycle bleeding and it doesn't look good. It could be anything from pregnancy (doubtful) to cancer. I just hope that the dr figures it out quickly and painlessly!

For the record I'm on CD37, still spotting (day 10). I'm due for AF any day, but with all the spotting I've had I wonder if she'll ever come (and if I'll know when she does).

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/ee424

dana92504

12-09-2005, 11:03 AM

ADSigMel and M&M - having crazy cycles is soooo annoying. when i was a teen, my doc tried all different kinds of bcp to regulate me, and none worked. so i just gave up and would watch for AF signs (sore bb's, cramps, etc). now i've started to chart for the past few cycles and it looks like i'm at least in a normal cycle length range, but my ovulation days and LP length are all over the place. i really feel for you guys with your long cycles, don't know how you handle that! i just hope this current cycle doesn't do that to me :(

M&M - i'd go ahead and start now. March is just a few months away and it looks like it may not be that easy from your long cycles. happy for ya that your hubby is so ready! :D

dana92504

12-09-2005, 11:05 AM

LeslieandPaul

12-09-2005, 06:43 PM

I don't post in here very often, but thought I'd stop by. I finally bought TCOYF so hopefully I'll get a better insight into my cycle. Right now i'm on cycle day 20 and no temp shift. It's kind of unusual for me, but since July I've had some wonky cycles. Here's my chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/977c7). I don't know what my body's doing (hence buying the book!)

Clattercote

12-10-2005, 07:35 AM

LeslieandPaul

12-10-2005, 08:15 AM

leslieandpaul - Definitely a wait and see thing - with all the fertile CM you're noting, it seems like you're right around O. Did something happen earlier that might have delayed it (eg travel stress illness?) BTW, your last two cycles don't seem too wonky to me - what kinds of strange patterns have you been noting lately?

Sept-Oct was 40 days which is unusual for me. Also, my july/aug cycle was kinda strange, but I was getting married, so I'm sure that affected it.

Nothing huge has happened to delay O, but DH has been out of town and I started a new (super easy) job, so that could do it.

giry76

12-10-2005, 12:56 PM

Threadmistress:
Could you please change my TTC date to January 2006

Well I will be moving on next cycle! Yay. DH and I had a talk today. I haven't really posted much but you all have been a source of great information and because of this thread I have successfully TTA for over a year now. I hope this knowledge will mean a short stay in TTC land.

Till next cycle my job is to take my vitamins and O early. :)

southerner

12-10-2005, 08:52 PM

M&M614, boilermaker and Clattercote, thanks for answering my question :D

Reenie

12-11-2005, 11:52 AM

Clattercote, HisSpicy, and tlew12778 Thanks for answering my O question.

And thank you ADSigMel for looking at my chart.

I don't know what's going on this cycle. Usually, I have 1-3 days of spotting before red blood. I am on day five of spotting and it really is brown spotting, nothing more, no different color. I don't get it. Also, my temp has gone way up today and yesterday, but I think that's because I'm not feeling well. Should I "discard" those temps on FF? We are not and will not be UDD for at least a few cycles, so it's not going to affect that...

ETA: Okay, when I first posted today's temp, there was a dotted line between Friday's and today's (Sunday) temps. Now, today's temp is not showing at all (and I made sure I didn't delete or discard it by mistake), and while yesterday's is showing, there is no line drawn. What does that mean? I have been running a fever, and I selected that option in my FF boxes, so is that why? Sorry to be a pain. :o

wagsgirl

12-11-2005, 01:23 PM

Hello all!!

Here's my stats:

Wagsgirl
Me: Tonya (29)
DH: Ryan (29)
Occupation: SAHM
Wedding date: 11/10/01
Children: Briley 10/28/02 Greydon 2/18/05
Charting: charted to conceive DS 12/03-6/04, none since
TTC: Octoberish 2006

Today is my first day off BCP. They've been doing weird things to me lately-hormonaly (sp?)-so we decided for me to go off for a while. I can't find my BBT (should have looked sooner), so this month we're just going to use other forms of birth control. My cycles in the past have been pretty regular around 28-30 days. But, I need to read up on the temping/charting thing again to keep my mind on it. So, I will be mostly absorbing this month, then next month I'll post my chart, etc...

M&M614

12-12-2005, 07:32 AM

Welcome Wagsgirl!

Reenie -- I have no idea what you should do with the temps... but I'm waiting to find out! :)

So I'm hating my body now. Ugh, why won't I ovulate? I was so sure I would, but my temp went way down. My chart looks like a mountain range! Any ideas? Another annov cycle? My bbs have been sore and I have had lots of CM (I forgot to mark on chart... I'll get around to it!) But I have no idea what's going on! I wanted one nice good cycle before ttc, but I'm not sure if that's going to happen. ugh...

Tnx girls!
Melissa
CD 27
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/df46b

kemaji

12-12-2005, 07:44 AM

Reenie -- Have you posted your chart and I'm just completely not seeing it? Can you post another one ? (I'm very visual.) If you're running a fever, you may end up discarding the temps later on, but I personally prefer to wait until I see a bit of a trend before I start messing with things.

M&M614 -- I would agree that you haven't ovulated yet and perhaps your body is trying to (given that you have all this CM). Based on the information you have here, I think you're in a wait and see game. Was your last cycle the first of BC? If so, your body is still probably trying to regulate its hormones.

M&M614

12-12-2005, 09:11 AM

M&M614 -- I would agree that you haven't ovulated yet and perhaps your body is trying to (given that you have all this CM). Based on the information you have here, I think you're in a wait and see game. Was your last cycle the first of BC? If so, your body is still probably trying to regulate its hormones.[/QUOTE]

Technically This is my 3rd cycle off bcp, but 6th month. My first cycle was 29 days, then 113 days. currently 27 days... So I guess I could still be regulating from the hormones? I got off bcp in late June, but that one LONG cycle messed me up!

Melissa

Clattercote

12-12-2005, 10:21 AM

M&M - Yup, that one looong cycle was still your body regulating, and this cycle will be a continuation of that - I don't know what others here will say but I'd say that if, after another one-two cycles you don't see a return to some normalcy, I'd get it checked out. But at this point it's really just your body trying to figure itself out again, I think. ETA: You're right, there is no O yet in your chart - it will come. It looks to me like your body's gearing up to O.

Welcome, Wagsgirl!

Reenie - I can't see your chart either - I'd like to see it before commenting.

angelpalgt

12-12-2005, 12:24 PM

I'm finally ready to get into charting to avoid. This will be my first cycle off BCP.

angelpalgt / http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/105b00
Real name: Kendra (25)
DH's/FH's/BF's name: Josh (25)
Occupation: User Experience Developer/Project Liaison
Married (date of or date planned): 05/17/2003
Started charting (date, if known):12/12/2005
TTC: someday

I'm just really looking forward to finally getting off the pill. We've put it off far too long, but we're ready for this now.

Anyway, greetings to all!

Reenie

12-12-2005, 04:01 PM

Oh, I'm sorry Clattercote and Kemaji- I don't know where my head is, guess you can tell I have a fever ;). Here's the link to my TTA chart. (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1002c9) And today I actually had red blood after all of these days of spotting, so I guess that my body is normalizing. Actually, yesterday or today would be when I would've projected it would come, so I don't know why I had so much spotting this past week.

Janey

12-12-2005, 09:00 PM

honeygirl - I hope your Dr's appointment went well, and I hope you get (got?) the answers you're looking for.

M&M614 & others who are wondering about 'check out from library or buy for yourself' - I read the TCOYF book straight through in about 6 hours. It's an easy and interesting read. I felt like I knew the book after reading it once... and don't feel like I must own it to be able to chart. That said, I have looked at it more than once since I read it. So if $17 is in your budget to spend on such things (heck, that's less than a month of BCP), I'd go ahead and buy it. Otherwise, head on down to the local library and make a few photocopies of important pages. :)

Nothing much to report on my end. My husband had major surgery last Tuesday and I did not temp for a few days while playing Florence Nightengale. I figured it didn't matter too awfully much since I am charting & temping more for my own knowledge than for birth control for a while anyway. :) Last night, I finally slept through the night (for almost ten hours!!) for the first time since he's been home, so I temped this morning. I'm right on schedule, temperature-wise.

I did finally get Ovusoft to tell me that I ovulated. I think I had something in the settings turned off so that it didn't give me the little egg. Seeing the little egg on the chart is more than a little satisfying seeing as I wasn't sure if I 'egged' at all. Hooray for me - I egged!

tlew12778

12-13-2005, 03:19 AM

Re the book: I actually found mine on overstock for $14 but they no longer have it. I froogled it and you can find it for like $13 though. Like MrsHill said, I have looked at it more than once since I read it initially. I don't need to read the charting stuff again, but I like the appendices for trouble-shooting your cycle. The book I would NOT buy is the Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition book bc that you can photocopy at the library as only specific sections of chapters (2-3 pages each max) are applicable to each person (eg. what to do when you start swelling during pregnancy, what to do when you have PCOS, etc.).

M&M: I agree with Clatter on getting checked out if you don't start regulating over the next couple cycles.

Reenie: When you have a fever, FF automatically uses the rule of thumb for that temp. So that is why they discarded it. It makes no difference on your chart though as IMO, you were clearly post-O. You don't have the CM to show for it and you don't have the requisit 6 over 3 since you did not start temping until CD14, but the chart looks biphasic to me. I would guess (this is important bc you are missing too much previous data) CD 16 with a CL of 97.5. Obviously, don't go and override your last chart or anything, just keep it in mind for this cycle.

chinadoll

12-13-2005, 03:30 AM

[B]One more question, too: for those of you who have very regular cycles (in that you know which day you'll start your period), do you find that you O around the same time, too, for the most part?
my cycles are almost always 28-30 days, and my O has usually been between 16-18. But I've had a few that were much later, and one that was earlier. It just reminds me that my body is constantly changing and I have to continue to watch and chart the signs, particularly since we are TTA not TTC.

magrat

12-13-2005, 06:17 AM

I am just starting to chart and need some advice. I don't usually sleep through the night - I wake up a lot, especially towards morning, and often need to get up and go to the bathroom. Last night I woke up at 3:30 and took my temp. It was 97.1. I then slept until about 5:30 (though I think I woke up sometime in between, though I didn't get out of bed) and took my temp again - 97.5. Which one should I use? Is it better to go with the earlier temp knowing I got at least 4 hours sleep, or the later one knowing it's closer to the time I will hopefully normally take it? How do other light sleepers handle charting?

kemaji

12-13-2005, 06:33 AM

Updated to here.

magrat -- I am usually a light sleeper after about 4am because our dog starts moving around the room and he will wake me up. I temp at 5:30am because my body is used to waking up sometimes between 4 and 5:30am so it doesn't affect my temps. For me, I would go with the later temp because I know that my temp probably wouldn't be affected much. Now if I woke up at 4am and was up for 45 minutes, then I probably would go with the earlier one because that would be a departure from my normal pattern.

motray36

12-13-2005, 09:41 AM

Welcome angelpalgt!

Well, I'm at CD33, 8DPO...does anyone know if FF called my coverline 97.6 because of the higher temp on CD19? I feel like it "should" be 97.5....not that it makes a difference, just curious!

Thanks!

magrat

12-13-2005, 10:04 AM

Thanks kemaji, that was my feeling too, but I wanted to know what the experts thought :)

M&M614

12-13-2005, 11:21 AM

Hi all,

I know I haven't been on here long, but I'm going to be leaving now. DH and I are going to start ttc again. I recognize now that it might take a bit longer, so why not start early? (thanks [B]Dana[B] for the advice. :) I was scared to start ttc again without a "real" cycle under my belt (with O and all) but now that I'm charting, at least I can tell that I haven't ovulated, and thus can't be pg! I know I won't be following FAM rules, so I'm graduating to try to ttc (I say try to, because I have to O first! ugh).

Thanks for all your advice... If I have any questions, I know where to come! :D

Leaving to TRY TO ttc! haha

Melissa

tlew12778

12-13-2005, 12:05 PM

Motray - TCOYF rules I think puts the coverline on the next line above your low temps... so .1 above them I guess (sorry I temp in celsius). That's why it's not 97.5 I think. You can try changing your detection method to see if that changes anything. But you're right, it doesn't make a difference.

Reenie

12-13-2005, 02:54 PM

tlew12778 Thanks for looking at my chart! :)

chinadoll Thanks for the info on O. I don't really expect it always to occur on the same day, but I was wondering if it might be pretty close, and I guess your answer (and others') has clarified.

I am so frustrated. This is supposed to be my first complete cycle that I will chart, and I've been sick and had a fever for the past few days! UGh. I hope that it won't affect my chart too much, but if so, ah well, I guess it's during this month when charting might be a little difficult anyway with traveling, etc. Guess I'll just have to be patient.

SQ2

12-13-2005, 03:53 PM

Reenie ~ This is my first cycle charting too and I got sick a couple weeks ago...high fever and everything. But I had the same thought as you, this cycle will probably be whacky on it's on anyway. We will be traveling a lot this cycle too (through a number of time zones) so I don't have high hopes. But it does help to get used to temping and stuff. Still haven't seen any sign of CM though. :( But I imagine that's normal being that I've only been off the pill for 2.5 weeks.

honeygirl

12-13-2005, 07:51 PM

My doctor visit went alright, thanks MrsHill. :) My doctor was in a good mood, almost too happy. She seemed open to my doing charting, but didn't look at them. She asked if I was sure I'd seen a temperature shift. They did a pregnancy test (my 1st) and it was BFN of course (I'm CD3 today), but she wanted to rule that out before doing more testing.

I'm scheduled for a procedure (ultrasound) in 2 weeks. She wanted to do it ASAP but I'm on vacation next week. If it's polyps again she said "we'll just do a surgery". She seemed very happy-go-lucky about the whole thing. I DON'T WANT A surgery unless absolutely necessary, especially since repeated D&C's can cause permanent damage which can make TTC more difficult.

So it's still a wait and see situation. At this point I've had AF or spotting for 14 days straight!

ADSigMel

12-13-2005, 10:43 PM

I had a very unexpected visit from AF today. I missed three weeks of charting during the last cycle, but my temps were so low when I started again that I'm pretty sure I didn't ovulate during those three weeks, and I know that I haven't since I started charting again. I'm thinking I should call the last cycle annovulatory, but does anyone think it's possible that I did have a temp shift during those three weeks that I was away, and my temps were just *REALLY* low this cycle?

FSUSammy

12-14-2005, 04:39 AM

Hey ladies. Didn't want you guys to think I dropped off the planet. I'm on CD15. No EWCM yet. My CM has been somewhat sticky/creamy for the past few days and my temp has still been on the low end. I figured my 1st cycle off of BCPs might be somewhat off so we'll see if and when I O.

Sam

SQ2

12-14-2005, 04:56 AM

tlew12778

12-14-2005, 05:34 AM

clzj

12-14-2005, 05:53 AM

Question for those of you that have the book handy. After pg is it hard to find the cervix?

I don't have the book because I borrowed it from a friend almost 2 years ago. I might have to borrow it back.

kemaji

12-14-2005, 05:55 AM

ADSigMel -- I agree with tlew, it is hard to say with any certainty considering all of the missing temps.

SQ2 and FSUSammy -- Do you check CM externally or internally? The only reason why I ask is because one way to tell if CM is fertile or not is by the mark it leaves on your panties. A round circle indicates fertile CM and lines indicate non-fertile. It says that somewhere in TCOYF... The only reason why I bring that up is because for some people their most fertile ends up being wet/watery CM. I know for myself, I see very little on my panties and if I didn't check internally I would have no idea what is going on.

honeygirl -- Have you thought about going to an alternative practitioner for a consultation? My mom is an acupuncturist and she helps lots of women with all sorts of female issues. It is a lot less invasive and usually very effective.

Motray -- tlew is correct, FF & Ovusoft will draw your coverline .1 above your previous 6 temps when you have a temp shift.

M&M614 -- congrats on moving on to TTC... be sure to come back and let us know when you are PG.

****

For myself, I have had some of the best quality EWCM the past couple days that I have every seen while charting. It was stretching 6 inches or more! It is funny what you get excited about when you start charting... I've been taking Vitex for the past cycle and most of this one and I'm hoping that will eventually lengthen my LP.

FSUSammy

12-14-2005, 05:57 AM

SQ2 -- have you tried to see if there is CM at your Cervix? This is my first cycle too and I don't have that much CM either.

Sam

kemaji

12-14-2005, 05:57 AM

Updated to here.

kemaji

12-14-2005, 06:00 AM

clzj -- I don't have the book handy, but offhand I don't remember the cervix being more difficult to find. You should be able to tell whether your cervix is open or closed much easier after pg. I'll look it up tonight if you don't have an answer by this evening.

FSUSammy -- When I started charting I didn't have all that much CM and what I did have was mostly sticky/creamy, very little EW. That will regulate over time as well.

FSUSammy

12-14-2005, 06:00 AM

kemaji - I'm checking CM somewhat internally. I don't go all the way to the cervix but I do go far enough in that I do see some CM. I do think that part of my problem is the antihistamines I'm on. I know they they tend to dry you up so that's why I'm checking internally. Do you think I need to check all the way at the cervix though? I haven't seen a spike in my temps yet so I'm pretty sure I haven't O'd which would explain why I haven't seen any EWCM.

Sam

dana92504

12-14-2005, 06:04 AM

congrats M&M!!! :D I hope you get pg FAST!

ADSig - i can't tell by your chart what was going on b/c of all the missing temps. but your temps later in your cycle do seem low for post O temps...

does anyone think FF is correct with my chart? it seems like the CL is too low therefore may be calling O too soon???

tlew12778

12-14-2005, 06:30 AM

FSU - It's better to check at the cervix bc that is where it's produced. Antihistamines will dry you out. I have cycles with no CM but with O when I am on them.

Dana - I would not call that O that FF is calling. If you have another couple high temps then yes, but later. Esp. with the W and EWCM... FF is crazy.

kemaji

12-14-2005, 07:05 AM

FSU -- What tlew said. When you check by your cervix for CM, you will also get used to feeling your cervix texture & postion. I frequently don't find any EW anywhere but right by my cervix.

dana -- I don't agree with FF either. I would say, IF your temps stay high, you may have Oed on CD22 or CD23. You would then draw your coverline at 97.9, which is more in keeping with your previous cycle's coverline of 97.8.

honeygirl

12-14-2005, 07:57 AM

CD 22 and still no CM for me yet. :( No temp rise either. A few different days I thought I *might* have CM (i.e. there'd be a watery circle on my underwear) but whatever moisture there is evaporates right away on my finger. :confused: I'm assuming it's pretty normal for some people to not have any CM the first cycle off BCPs?

SQ2 - One thing I've learned from TCOYF and this thread is that there really isn't a "normal". My first cycle off BCP's I was annovulatory, but I did have CM. I was mostly sticky, but there were days of EWCM. My next cycle I had even more EWCM. Don't worry about it, it's really a wait and see situation when coming off BCP.

honeygirl

12-14-2005, 08:01 AM

Kemaji - No, I hadn't thought of alternative medicine. I did think about a 2nd option, but this is a different doctor than the one that did my prior surgery (Oct 04). So I guess she is a 2nd option.

Where can I get information on alternative medicine? I have been googling polyps, abnormal bleeding, etc, but haven't tried "alternatives". Any other recommendations (besides google)?

kemaji

12-14-2005, 08:19 AM

honeygirl -- The easiest way would be to get a recommendation for an acupuncturist in your area (if you know anyone who has gone to one) and have a conversation with them about what they would do to treat you. My guess is that the underlying issue they would end up treating would be some sort of hormonal imbalance. A good acupuncturist will treat you with a combination of needles, herbal suppliments/teas and diet. Don't be afraid to ask them a lot questions before you make the appointment, any practitioner worth their salt will be happy to take the time to answer your questions. Also, ask them how many appointments they expect the treatment to take. 75% of my mom's patients only come 3 - 4 times for a particular issue. Treatment does take longer if the problem is chronic or more serious, but usually, that isn't the case. Also, if you have an Acupuncture school near you, they often offer services by students at a reduced rate.

A great list of Acupuncture related links:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/links.html

clzj

12-14-2005, 10:29 AM

Kemaji-I had no problem finding it before pg. I have never given birth naturally so I don't know if that affects the cervix either.

SQ2

12-14-2005, 10:35 AM

Nope, haven't checked internally. I usually just do a sweep with my fingers before I use the bathroom. (I go in a little bit but not that much.) I'll have to re-read the part of the book about checking internally. Thanks! :)

FSUSammy

12-14-2005, 03:04 PM

Hey ladies,

Thanks for the recommendation on checking at my cervix. I tried that when I got home from work today and I noticed the same creamy CM that I've been noticing so definitely no EWCM. Just waiting for O to happen, if it will happen.

Sam

Reenie

12-14-2005, 06:32 PM

For myself, I have had some of the best quality EWCM the past couple days that I have every seen while charting. It was stretching 6 inches or more! It is funny what you get excited about when you start charting... I've been taking Vitex for the past cycle and most of this one and I'm hoping that will eventually lengthen my LP.

LOL, I remember reading that in TCOYF and thinking "several inches? " And then when I saw a pic of it, I thought, "hey, why don't I get that? I want that!" LOL How very wierd.

FSUSammy

12-15-2005, 04:24 AM

Hey ladies,

Forgot to ask something in my last post. When I was supposedly checking my CM at my cervix I honestly couldn't find my cervix. I was following how the book says you should do it and I don't know maybe my fingers aren't long enough??? Any of you have better ideas on ways to find it?

Maybe I did find it but just don't know?

Sam

tlew12778

12-15-2005, 04:57 AM

Sam - It may just be too high right now. Try squatting and bearing down... but no guarantees. You are mid-cycle so it's probably high up if you are expecting O sometimes soon.

SQ2

12-15-2005, 06:12 AM

I tried with squatting and found mine quite easily. I actually felt a little nauseated at first. It just felt so weird and and almost "wrong" to be feeling it, like it was an organ inside my body I wasn't supposed to be feeling. But, it felt exactly like those pictures of the cervix look in the book. All squishy and stuff. Weird. Mine seemed really low but I have nothing to compare it to since this is the first time I tried finding it. Last night I tried to see if there was CM there and I thought there might have been a little tiny bit of white dry-ish creamy colored stuff but there wasn't much. Then this morning when I checked there was nothing. I can't comfortably use 2 fingers to check like they show in the book, for some reason so maybe that's why it's harder to draw anything out. (Sorry if I'm grossing anyone out here...hehehe.)

tlew12778

12-15-2005, 06:36 AM

SQ - I only check with one finger too. And I actually don't bother with position or texture (even though I can feel the difference in texture now... i don't bother noting it). Basically, I try to um... stay away from the other wall of the vagina so as not to lose the CM on the way out. Does that make sense? Like pull your finger to one side.

FWIW, the reason I don't use two fingers is bc I have nails. I keep mine really short, but I still managed to scratch my cervix once and my gyno saw it and told me. I didn't feel the scratch but she said it was there (moer than one actually... she could tell exactly what direction I had swiped around). So now I make sure to bend my finger a little and not touch anything with my nails and you can't do that if you use two fingers really.

SQ2

12-15-2005, 06:40 AM

tlew Thanks! I was actually worried about scratching myself up there. I have really really short nails too but I'll definitely be conscious of that. I just checked again and I actually noticed a tiny bit of sticky CM, I think.

FSUSammy

12-15-2005, 06:41 AM

tlew12778 - I found it interesting that your doctor was able to notice that you scratched your cervix. I take it this is a BAD thing? Did your doctor tell you why it would be bad?

Sam

Clattercote

12-15-2005, 08:16 AM

I hate checking my CP - so I don't. It just doesn't feel good to me internally - ETA - FSUSammy - Scratches would be bad because it could introduce infections or lead to further damage. That's why when checking CP the books recommend washing your hands and keeping nails trimmed.

FSUSammy

12-15-2005, 10:42 AM

Hey ladies, Got another question. While sitting hear at work today I've noticed a really really sharp pain in my lower left abdomen. I noticed a sharp pain last night in the same area but dismissed it. Could this possibly O related? I still haven't seen any EWCM or a spike in temps.

Sam

tlew12778

12-15-2005, 10:57 AM

No she didn't say why it would be bad... but what scratches are good anywhere? It didn't even occur to me to ask why it would be bad. She said they'd go away so I just shrugged ok and made sure to be more careful in the future.

You won't see a spike in temps until after O. The reason your temp spikes is bc the corpus luteum starts to break down. For that to happen, you have to have O'ed.

motray36

12-15-2005, 02:09 PM

Hi everyone - CD1 for me, just ended with a 9 day LP....I was hoping it would stretch a bit, but no such luck. I stopped drinking coffee (:eek: a very big deal for me) a little over a week ago, so I'm wondering if that will have an effect on my cycles. Hopefully it will. Along that vein...

QOTD Have you read Marilyn Shannon's "Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition?" If so, do you follow any of the advice and has it worked?

FSUSammy It's possible since you're at day 14...the CM you list as "C" might be fertile for you. It's hard to say since this is your first cycle. Waiting game!

CP Question - I dont check mine. I used to check it when I checked CM internally, which I dont as of right now becuase Im just trying to be good about doing it at all.

Janey

12-15-2005, 02:31 PM

Well, I feel like a success: I've had my first full TTA Chart (http://www.ovusoft.com/forum/chart.asp?cycle=1&id=mrshill&tc=0&p=). I ovulated, I followed the rules, and I didn't get pregnant. Hooray for AF! Hooray for charting that I can actually see that I ovulated!

(And Hooray that I will only have to say "Hooray for AF" five more times!)

tlew12778

12-15-2005, 02:34 PM

QOTD Have you read Marilyn Shannon's "Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition?" If so, do you follow any of the advice and has it worked? Yes and no. Basically I bought it to read about LP but I was still deciding whether or not to do the B6/zinc/magnesium thing when I was dx'ed with PCOS. Then I decided to treat my PCOS with fertility blend to regulate my cycles which contains all 3 of those vitamins plus vitex which helps lengthen LP... If I were you I would borrow a copy and just photocopy what you want... It's not really worth the $11 IMO, esp. bc the first few chapters are just about eating square meals which I thought was really obvious.

Clattercote

12-15-2005, 04:40 PM

QOTD - I have read Fertility Cycles and Nutrition, but I agree - not worth buying. I interlibrary loaned it and was quite happy with just that - eating right is a no brainer, and the 2-3 chapters in the back about specific stuff is helpful only if you have one of the specific issues she mentions - you don't need all the info.

I did try the Optivite she suggested - but it didn't ultimately help me out - and I had to see a doc and get diagnosed with low progesterone/estrogen dominance before I saw some changes.

Congrats MrsHill and any others out there who've done a whole chart!

Reenie

12-15-2005, 06:31 PM

Okay, another question: I read the Ovusoft and FF pros and cons on the first post for this thread, but in your opinions, which is better/more accurate? I am currently using FF but I would not be opposed to paying for the Ovusoft if it meant more accuracy.

Also, just as a little hooray, of course DH knows that I've been charting this past month, reading TCOYF, etc., and I explained it all to him and that it meant we could UDD after ovulation in a few months once I've figured it all out (I haven't quite wrapped my head around the idea of possibly UDD during the infertile period before O yet :o ), and I was a little nervous about what his reaction would be, but he was all for it once he heard all about it and the science/biology behind it! I am unbelievably excited about this! :D

honeygirl

12-15-2005, 07:46 PM

Congrats MrsHill on a first chart!

Reenie - I can totally relate with this one. Both DH and I were excited the first time we could safely UDD (I waited 3 cycles). :)

A hooray for me is that I am finally DRY! After 15 days of spotting and/or AF it's about time! Crossing my fingers that it lasts for a while.

tlew12778

12-16-2005, 02:01 AM

Reenie - I don't use OS, just the free version of FF. I can't tell you which is better, but in all honesty, I would not trust either. Both have been known to call O incorrectly. OS is probably slightly more accurate, but that does not mean you can rely on it. Basically I just use it to graph my chart then I do my own interpretation.

FH is asking about a diaphragm... {{{sigh}}}. So I think I will ask my gyno about it in April when I see her for my annual. I have been known to be prone to UTIs and YIs in the past though so I am not too excited about trying it out.

Clattercote

12-16-2005, 06:43 AM

Reenie - Ditto what tlew says - I wouldn't rely on either for interpretations - I have seen seriously wrong interps from both programs. My sense is Ovusoft tends to be correct more often than not - but I wouldn't buy it anyway, because it's often also wrong. I use FF for chart sharing and paper to analyze my own charts.

motray36

12-16-2005, 07:08 AM

tlew & Clattercote - thanks! I actually own it and have read it, but haven't really fully applied the suggestions. I was considering the Optivite...but we just bought a house and I am broke. Not that my health isn't of primary importance, blah blah blah, but they are not cheap vitamins!

Congrats, MrsHill!

Reeny - I agree with all of the above...I actually find it helpful (albeit annoying) when FF is wrong because it keeps me on my toes.

tlew - I use a diaphragm every once in a while, and I'm also prone to UTI's. I just make sure I double up on cranberry tablets and water afterwards.

honeygirl - yay for dryness!

chinadoll

12-19-2005, 03:10 AM

I use a diaphragm sometimes when we DTD. Basically DH and I debate over whether we use the diaphragm or condoms, so we alternate and see who is feeling nicer. ;) I loved it at first, then I hated it for awhile, and now I'm sort of in the middle.

I've had a few UTIs too, but I take cranberry tablets every day and make sure to drink lots of water -- no UTIs since April, so I think it is working. The bonuses of the diaphragm are being able to put it in ahead of time (more spontaneity), and it feels more like UDD than condoms. DH says sometimes he "bumps" it, but it doesn't hurt him or me. It does take some practice to get used to putting it in and taking it out.

tlew12778

12-19-2005, 03:35 AM

Thanks motray and chinadoll. I am going to ask the gyn about it in April when I see her, although I doubt I will try it until after that... I definitely don't want to be dealing with getting used to it and possible UTI (if I have bad luck) while on honeymoon! Is the actual diaphragm expensive? I have no idea how muc or even if it's covered under my healthcare.

SQ2

12-19-2005, 05:42 AM

FSUSammy

12-19-2005, 06:28 AM

SQ2- Congrats on the EWCM! Just curious what day are you on? I still haven't really seen EWCM. I'm on CD20 (just haven't updated my FF chart since Friday).

-Sam

clzj

12-19-2005, 06:30 AM

I found this link over the weekend and thought I would share it. This would be more in lines with NFP and the Catholic prespective. I am thinking that I might get the software.

http://www.catholiccompany.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=4971&AID=117&new=yes&gclid=CO_Q_s71iIICFTecJAod0wWXCw

Clattercote

12-19-2005, 06:48 AM

EWCM - After over a year of charting, I STILL get excited about EWCM sometimes - I guess because I know my body's working!

SQ2

12-19-2005, 08:26 AM

I am on CD27. My EWCM alternates with some creamy stuff and I don't have the EWCM everytime I check, but last night for a couple hours it was everywhere. Hehe.

Question: When you're on the pill do you still produce CM? I feel like I've definitely had this type of stuff when I was on the pill but I just didn't think anything of it except, ew gross, what's that.

Janey

12-19-2005, 09:17 AM

Pardon the newbie nerdiness but...I have EWCM!!! :D It stretches about 1 inch! (This is my first cycle off BCPs). I was so excited that I raced into the other room to tell DH and asked if he wanted to see it and he said "Um...no!" LOL. :p
But... did you say, "I have eggwhite cervical mucus! OR did you totally newbie nerdiness geek out and say, "I have Eee Double-U Cee Emm!" ;)

ETA answer to your question -- Back when I was in the depths of PCOS, I had EWCM constantly, and thought that was normal. I guess when I started losing weight things normalized somewhat and that stopped, although I don't really remember when. I started the Nuvaring when B and I started getting serious, and I produced nothing, ever ... hardly even arousal. I still don't go through all of the cycles (I'm not sure I 'do' lotiony...) but I'll give it a few cycles before I'll say I have it figured out.

SQ2

12-19-2005, 09:22 AM

HAHAHA. I think what I actually said was "I'm having major eggwhite, here!" And since he's skimmed TCOYF, he knew what I meant.

candy corn

12-19-2005, 11:00 AM

Hello!!

I'm so excited about starting to chart!! I got onto this message board from the folks at thenest, and after reading all the posts (and TCOYF, of course) I'm feeling really great about my decision to get off the pill!! I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions - especially these first few months - so hopefully you all will be able to help me!

Thanks!!

screen name: candy corn
Real name: Diane (26)
DH's name: TJ (25)
Occupation: cancer researcher
Married: October 22, 2005
Started charting: December 21, 2005
TTC: 2013 :rolleyes:

FSUSammy

12-19-2005, 11:04 AM

candy corn-Welcome! I'm also here thanks to thenest. This is my first cycle off of BCPs and I have learned a lot so far. The ladies on here are GREAT!

Sam

Clattercote

12-19-2005, 12:04 PM

Welcome, Candy corn! I came here because of the knot/nest, too - but that was a while ago. I haven't been back there since I got married - as I remember, there seemed always to be arguments about FAM/NFP and how it was just bc for "parents" (hardy har har har - wow, I've NEVER heard that old joke ;) ) - I've been grateful to have a supportive community here and I hope you do as well! People here have been so helpful with reading and commenting on my charts.

FSUSammy

12-19-2005, 06:30 PM

Could this be EWCM???

He ladies. I went to the gym after work today and when I got home before I showered (sorry for the TMI) I went to the bathroom and wiped first (which I've been doing since starting to chart). I noticed something kinda slimy on the TP and decided to test it and it was a little stretchy, maybe a 1/4 of an inch at most. Then I decided to check internally but nothing but creamy/clear stuff. Since this is my first cycle I'm questiniong just about everything.

-Sam

SQ2

12-19-2005, 06:36 PM

FSUSammy ~ That's exactly what mine is like too...slimy. I'm hoping it's the real deal because it is pretty stretchy. But it's not like it' constantly flowing, ya know? And it's also not perfectly clear in all places. Kinda translucent and opaque in some places and clear in others. It seems to come in glops. Ok, now I really feel like I'm being gross. Sorry. Hopefully what we're both experiencing is EWCM!

Reenie

12-19-2005, 08:46 PM

I don't know about whether it's EWCM, but it sounds like the pictures in my TCOYF look.

candycorn I just joined the thread less than a month ago, so we can be newbies together. :)

I completely slept in yesterday (Sunday) and didn't temp until about 4 hours after my normal time. My temp is completely off... should I discard it or just leave it? my chart link (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1002c9)

ETA: FF discarded my temp by default last Tues because I had a fever.

tlew12778

12-20-2005, 01:54 AM

That is basically what my EWCM is like. The only time I have had it stretch multiple inches was my first month off BCP. Other than that, it's always globby looking kind of like the white part of the egg that keeps the yolk attached to the shell. Sorry if TMI.

Reenie - I would leave the temp as it is right now, then when it comes to figuring out your CL, either adjust it or discard it if you think it will make a difference (looks like it will IMO).

Clattercote

12-20-2005, 05:50 AM

FSUSammy - I'd say it's probably EWCM; it sounds a lot like mine - clear/sometimes cloudy, slimy, and stretchy - you can have a few types in the same day so I'm not surprised that internally it looked different. But that's why you just record the most fertile.

Reenie - I'd keep the temp in for now - I don't think that in the overall pattern, it will matter much - and if it does end up disturbing an otherwise perfect 3 (high temps) above 6 (low temps) then you can just use the rule of thumb or the shaving rules.

kemaji

12-20-2005, 06:03 AM

candy corn -- Welcome! The women here love to answer any questions you might have, so don't be shy about asking them.

FSUSammy -- I agree with everyone else, that is probably EWCM and it sounds like what mine usually looks like. It took me over a year to finally get the truly stretchy kind.

Reenie -- I agree, just leave the temp for now. If you need to, you can adjust your chart later but because the temp is so close to the end of AF, it probably won't make a difference.

kemaji

12-20-2005, 06:04 AM

Updated to here.

FSUSammy

12-20-2005, 08:13 AM

Hey ladies, thanks for confirming the EWCM. I updated my FF chart last night and its saying that I possibly O'd on CD15 which I don't think I O'd yet because my temps are drastically on the low end right now. What do you all think?

Thanks!
Sam

tlew12778

12-20-2005, 08:25 AM

Yeah I don't think you O'ed Sam. There is no 6 over 3 there and no fertile CM, not like that necessarily means much... but given the lack of high temps I would not call O.

chinadoll

12-21-2005, 03:37 AM

Is the actual diaphragm expensive? I have no idea how muc or even if it's covered under my healthcare.
I think my diaphragm was $40. They are supposed to be checked annually by your gyn to make sure they still fit -- or if you gain or lose a lot of weight. [note to self: should be rechecked again someday!] Obviously, if you give birth then you would also need to be refitted. The spermicide that goes inside runs about $10 a tube --but in 14 months of using the diaphragm I just finished my second tube. It's not covered by our insurance, but then again neither was b/c pills.

Sherb

12-21-2005, 01:15 PM

Could someone take a look at my chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/c8193) ? I'm using free FF software so I can only show two charts at a time. Nov's shows my "normal" post-BCP temps - although it was shorter by 2-3 days than usual. (I went off BCP in May for other reasons.) Do you think I've O'd yet this month or not? I'm thinking I have but need more temps to confirm. What about the really low temps this month? I've been temping since May and never had a dip into 96s. And it's not suddenly colder here. TIA.

Clattercote

12-21-2005, 01:39 PM

Sherb - Here's my take on this: in the current chart, you might possibly be seeing the start of a temp shift today but you need 2 more days of temps at that level to know for sure. If you see temps at the same level as today's temp, I'd put the CL at 97.4 Also see if your CM dries up further - it's nice to have a larger patch of days of fertile CM, but some months there just isn't one, so if you dry up pretty well from the one day of EWCM and your temps are high, I'd say there's probably an O this month around CD 19-20. But wait at least 2 more days to be sure :) .
(FWIW, it looks like FF called your O date wrong in the previous chart - I'd say that O happened more around CD 19-20 in the last chart as well)

As for your question about a 96 range temp - the strange and the unusual can happen at any time, even if it's never happened before, because our bodies may be reacting to different things, or may be changing as we age, etc. - I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point because lots of people get temps below 97.0 (including me!) and your post-O temps are in a nice high range. If you do start seeing lots of charts with temps quite a bit below 96.9 and your post-O temps also drop off to, say, 97.5 range, then you may want to check it out with a doc. But not yet...

Sherb

12-21-2005, 02:35 PM

Clattercote - Thanks for the feedback - I put last month's O on the 19th as well. I think I had O pains around lunchtime on that day.

Reenie

12-21-2005, 10:02 PM

Thanks for all of the responsed to my "discard" question. :) Hope everyone is having a good week.

motray36

12-23-2005, 07:41 AM

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday! :D

kemaji

12-23-2005, 12:20 PM

I probably won't check in until after Christmas, so I hope everyone has a very happy holiday!

southerner

12-23-2005, 10:33 PM

Happy holidays to y'all too.

I'm going to start my first chart next month, have so much to learn :(

MrsKinnison

12-24-2005, 08:58 AM

CandyCorn Welcome!!!

Well, I have officially completed 12 charts! How time flies! Which brings me to my QOTD If you are not TTA then are you TTC???? DH and I have decided to stop charting and let nature take its course. DH is all for it, but I have to admit it freaks me out just a teensy bit :)

ETA: I guess that means I won't really be part of this board anymore, but I'd like to pop in to keep my skills sharp if you all don't mind? You have all be great and I appreciate everyones help!

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

SQ2

12-26-2005, 05:18 AM

:D At CD34. :eek: Better late than never, especially for my first cycle charting. I've had higher temps the past couple days but not high enough to draw the coverline. CM dried up yesterday. I will be happy when AF arrives but from what I understand it will be about 14 days from now? That's quite a long cycle! Another reason I will be happy when AF arrives is because after 7 yrs of being on the pill, there's a part of me that doesn't completely trust our new method of BC (condoms). I know it's probably fine but I just haven't used them for so long that I'm slightly paranoid. Especially since we DTD (protected of course) on a couple of what I think were my most fertile days. But hey, now that I"m charting, I know not to expect AF for awhile. If I wasn't charting and I'd just gone off the pill, I might think I was pregnant! :)

Next month I'll start charting online so I can show you guys. I have a majorly messy paper chart this first time around.

Hope everyone is have wonderful holidays!

southerner

12-26-2005, 09:44 AM

So, I haven't read TCOYF yet (just got it). But, I'd like to start charting anyway and figure I can learn/ask questions as I go. Do you think that's okay to do? Start charting now and read the book as I go? I'm going to start my first chart when AF comes in a week or so. What should be the first day I temp.? The day she shows up? Or should I start temping now(ish), so that I have my temp. for the morning she shows up? When is a new chart supposed to start?

Thanks for letting me ask such basic questions and not feel like an idiot :rolleyes:

Janey

12-26-2005, 10:37 AM

Sure, I think it's fine! Take your temperature, note your CM, and chart away. :) Read when you can, though... it'll make a lot more sense what you're doing when you're done. You can absolutely ask questions and make it work, though I think after having read the book you'll have a much greater understanding of why you're doing what you're doing -- and I'm not sure you'd get that understanding just from question/answer.

Your first chart will start on the first day you have red blood, so theoretically you could temp a few days before so you'd have the first day, but ya know, it's not like you're going to get pregnant that day anyway so I don't think it's that big of a deal. May want to wait so that you can honestly celebrate when AF shows up for possibly the first time ever. ;)

Oh and there are No idiots here; just newbies... and that's different. :p

LeslieandPaul

12-26-2005, 12:43 PM

So, I haven't read TCOYF yet (just got it). But, I'd like to start charting anyway and figure I can learn/ask questions as I go. Do you think that's okay to do? Start charting now and read the book as I go?

I started charting in February/March, and just bought TCOYF a few weeks ago. It's definitely got a lot of helpful information, but I did fine for the first 9/10 months that I didn't have it.

FSUSammy

12-27-2005, 05:12 AM

Hey ladies,

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend. I'm looking forward to another long weekend this coming weekend as well! I'm on CD28 and no sign of O yet. I had to discard my first temp (Xmas day) because I got drunk while celebrating xmas eve with my family. I still can't believe I did that by drinking ONLY wine! Well regardless the next morning my temp was at 99 and I quickly referred to TCOYF and it did say that alcohol could affect your temps.

SQ2 - Congrats on the possible O. I'm hoping that mine will happen any day now.

Sam

kemaji

12-27-2005, 05:48 AM

Updated to here.

southerner -- You could probably use the information on the first couple pages of this thread and you'd be fine, but I've found TCOYF to be incredibly helpful time and time again. Sometimes my CM isn't easily classifiable and the photos in the book have really helped me out.

MrsKinnison -- Congrats on moving to TTC/Seeing what happens! Come back and let us know when you are pg.

lawgirl4

12-27-2005, 06:13 AM

hi everyone - from India!

I'm here for about 4 more nights but finally found some time to go online (while the hubby sleeps - he's unfortunately come down with a touch of stomach flu, poor thing).

I hope everyone is having a great holiday week!

I also have a charting question...which I probably asked before, but still don't have a handle on...

what do you count as the first day of your period? here's what's been going on for me this cycle:

on 12/18 I started "spotting" very brownish discharge. this continued for almost 8 days; on one of those days, when I wiped after going to the bathroom, there was a quarter-sized patch of red on the toilet paper, but it continued to be a brown, very light flow for those 8 days. Then the last 2 days I have had a more "normal" bright red, heavier flow that seems more "period-like."

what do y'all think?

AHammer

12-27-2005, 06:22 AM

lawgirl -- TCOYF says to start it the first time you see bright red, but given your circumstances, I wouldn't really consider all that spotting AFTER the red to be your period. I'd probably start my new chart beginning two days ago.

I'm still considering myself a newbie, though, so maybe someone who has more experience can also help out!

Amy

kanga1622

12-27-2005, 06:48 AM

lawgirl - I agree that I'd start your chart using the first day of real AFish type flow. I had a chart awhile back where I ran into the same thing with about 6 days of spotting before real AF flow and I started a new chart on the first day it was more AFish.

Just saying a quick hello to everyone. I probably won't be around this thread a whole lot since I have been spending much of my time online planning our Vegas trip for March. Hope everyone had a happy holiday.

honeygirl

12-27-2005, 08:45 AM

lawgirl- Ditto to what the other ladies said. That's sort of what happened to me last cycle, I had 11 days of spotting, then a 2 day period. I started my new chart on the day of the red bleeding.

Enjoy India!

motray36

12-27-2005, 01:44 PM

Updates: TTC July 2006 You will notice that I am a big dork and put a ticker in with my chart for TTC in more than 6 months. I got "permission" from DH over the weekend...don't judge me.

Can I be included in the "masters" list? I've been successfully TTA with charting for over a year! Thanks :p

kemaji

12-28-2005, 06:52 AM

Updated to here.

I think AF is going to arrive today...I had a big temp drop.

Janey

12-28-2005, 07:17 AM

I'm noticing that my chart is much more wacky this month than last month. This may be at least partially due to the fact that B has been recovering from surgery and therefore my sleep patterns have been a little 'off.' Today, I woke up (I'd been dreaming that I was writing a letter to my florist telling her how much I hated my stupid bouquet, if you can believe that) at 6am and temped at 6:30 after laying in bed trying to figure out how I can just get past the stupid bouquet problem, already... and I was 96.3, a full degree below where I was just two days ago. I noted it as a disturbance, and let it go... but it's interesting that I could be so rock solid last month and so up-and-down this month.

Another thing my chart is teaching me: I am a horrible vitamin-taker. I knew this already, but now with the chart I see it in pretty colors. Usually, B gets up, does his morning routine, lays out my pills-n-vites, and kisses me goodbye. When I wake up, I do my morning routine which includes taking the pills-n-vites that have been laid out for me (there is a much greater chance of me taking the pills if there is a glass of water right there next to them when he lays them out). Since the surgery, he hasn't been laying them out, and therefore I haven't been taking them with any sort of regularity. I'm pretty sure that the reminder of checking off the "Pre-Natal Vitamin" box in Ovusoft has helped me up my vitamin percentage by about 50% these last few weeks.

clzj

12-28-2005, 08:00 AM

I don't agree with FF on my O date. Can someone help and confirm that.

kemaji

12-28-2005, 08:28 AM

I don't agree with FF on my O date. Can someone help and confirm that.

Based on the information you've put in your chart, I would tend to agree with when FF called your O. The only thing is that you have EW on CD19 but based on the your temperature shift above the six previous temps, I would say FF actually called it right.

FSUSammy

12-28-2005, 09:06 AM

clzj- I agree I think FF called it right as well.

FSUSammy

12-28-2005, 09:08 AM

Hey ladies,

I'm sitting here at work and all of a sudden I have gotten these awful awful cramps to the point where I can hardly move. It's not really favored on one side either.

Temps are still low so no O yet. If I was still on the pill AF would have arrived today but she's not here. I guess my body is just going to be wacky this first cycle!

Sam

southerner

12-29-2005, 08:31 PM

being a loser rookie (again :rolleyes: )....

I bought my BBT and am going to take my temp for the first time tomorrow morning. AF will be here within a week or so. I'm just excited to get started, thanks for letting me have a place to share :o

motray36

12-30-2005, 06:11 AM

southerner rookie, yes...loser, no :)

FSUSammy the first few months off BCP can be wacky! I was on for so long that I forgot what my cycles were like, and it turns out they were never really "normal" to begin with.

southerner

12-30-2005, 08:48 AM

AHammer

12-30-2005, 08:51 AM

Southerner,

You're right in that you don't need to start a new chart until you get AF. But if I were you, I'd keep temping and recording somewhere until you get AF. I have no idea where you are in your cycle, but if you're post-ovulation, temping until you get AF will give you a good idea of your post-O temps that you'll be looking for next cycle. And it'll help you get into the habit of temping before it's really necessary. It's what I did, my first "chart" is only a week and a half or so of temps. Good luck!

Amy

Janey

12-30-2005, 08:53 AM

okay, so let me get this right.

I took my temp. this morning, but if I don't start my period today, then I don't really need to document it, right? I'm supposed to start a new chart on the first day of AF?

Off to read about the differences btw Ovusoft and Fertility Friend. Someone asked which I was using and I realized that I haven't made that decision yet :o
You don't *need* to document it, but i'd write it down anyway. When your period does come, you'll see the temp drop and you'll nod and say: "Ohhhhhh."

I like Ovusoft, and I'm glad I spent the $40 on it. Totally worth it to me!

FSUSammy

12-30-2005, 10:14 AM

Hey ladies! I'm sure this has been asked before but I don't remember reading about it. Starting yesterday my BB's have been HURTING like CRAZY!!!! Is that a sign of ovulation on its way???? I'm recording that on my chart because it is different and I'd like to see if that happens every cycle. Since this is my 1st cycle I just don't know what to expect from my body.

Sam

kemaji

12-30-2005, 10:18 AM

Sam -- Mine usually are very tender around ovulation, that is definitely one of my O signs.

SQ2

12-30-2005, 12:00 PM

Hi, ladies. So, I *think* I should be starting a new chart today. (Sorry, I've been paper charting this first cycle so I can't show you my data). This is my first cycle off the pill. Yesterday was CD37. I had EWCM CD26-29. CM dried up completelly on CD33. On CD29 my temp started rising and on CD34 it rose high enough to draw the coverline. CD36 it dropped below the coverline, same with CD37. Now, I have to add that we just spent a week on the east coast and now we're on the west coast so all that time change might have something to do with my temps. I had thought that the LP lasts about 14 days. But this morning I woke up and AF has arrived (and my temp fell another tenth of a degree). :confused: At least I'm pretty sure it's AF.

Do you think I ovulated this first cycle? The CM pattern seemed pretty textbook as did the temp rise but then my temp didn't stay up very long. Also with the time zone changes that might make my chart hard to interpret too (I haven't been adjusting it for time change.)

So, I guess I should start a new chart today since AF seems to be here. Did anyone else have a really short LP after going off the pill? Again, sorry I don't have a chart to show and hopefully my post is not horribly confusing. I'm just so curious what's going on with my body but I guess I should give it a few cycles for my body to regulate itself. :)

Clattercote

12-30-2005, 12:43 PM

I'll only be in here a bit through the holidays - but happy holidays to all - and congrats on starting charting, to whoever has started!

clzj - I actually disagree with what's been said - i'd say O on CD 19 or so because of the CM - but ff is close this time. Temp shift does not always indicate that O has happened - there are times when O happens a day after temp shift; basically we only know that O has definitely happened via u/s. (O wouldn't happen much after a day though because the progesterone is released in response to the egg release - some women have slow rises that are difficult to detect because their bodies don't respond quickly to prog.)

SQ2 - It is VERY possible to have short LPs right after the pill (and after pg ) - I wouldn't worry too much - and yes, go ahead and start a new chart. If you saw a good thermal shift this past cycle and then the temp dipped around AF, that's a good indication of O.

southerner

12-30-2005, 10:17 PM

FSUSammy, I thought it was funny that you mentioned sore bbs. I'm wondering if temping, charting, etc. is going to make me so aware of some basic body functions that I've never noticed/paid attention to before. Did you ever notice this before you were charting? I'm charting my first cycle too :o

AHammer and Mrs.Hill, I started a chart of FF and documented my temp this morning. Thanks for answering me :)

The post about time by SQ2 made me think of another question.

What do y'all do about temp. timing on the weekends. You know when you are supposed to sleep late :confused: Do you wake up early to temp or just do it late when you wake up?

AHammer

12-31-2005, 07:26 AM

southerner, on days like that (and I think most everyone here does this same thing), I usually set my alarm for my usual temping time, 6:30, take my temp real fast, then comes the best part, go back to sleep!! :)

southerner

12-31-2005, 07:34 AM

AHammer, that's what I was afraid of :( I didn't do that today, oh well!

Janey

12-31-2005, 07:54 AM

RE: Sleeping late... how late is late? I usually temp at 7:00 AM. Today I just happened to wake up and see that it was 7:22, so I took my temperature. I'd think an hour would be okay... you'd just adjust your temperature for the delay (part of the reason I like Ovusoft - it does this for me).

Interstingly, yesterday, I had a whoooole lot of severe pain in The Region. I haven't had pain like that since March 20, 2004. (I know it was that night because I had blogged it (http://stfunfw.blogspot.com/2004/03/ovulation.html)... and the entry still makes me smile and shake my head... B got me the Tylenol cause I was in pain, and it was the first night I realized I had feelings for him. :p) It didn't last as long -- maybe 10 minutes this time instead of all day. Then this morning, I had a temp jump. So, I know what ovulation pains are, and I know that's what I was experiencing back in March, and I know I wasn't crazy. Hooray for Charting!

Those of you who experience ovulation pains: Are they severe, sharp, piercing terrible pains for you, too? I'm wondering if mine are more severe because of the PCOS, or if that's just what they are.

AHammer

12-31-2005, 08:32 AM

MrsHill,

My O-pains are pretty sharp and painful, and I never knew what they were until I started charting and I had a temp jump the day after the pains. Mine usually only last 2-3 minutes!

honeygirl

12-31-2005, 09:22 AM

Happy New Year Ladies!

Southerner - to echo what AHammer said, I set an alarm for 8:30 every day and temp at that time, even if I don't get up till 9, 10 (or 10:30 today, yikes). Sadly if I have to get up early (rarely happens) it throws off my plan.

Update: My sono histogram (vaginal ultrasound) went alright on thursday. I'm not sure about my doctor, she is new and during the procedure had to do the painful part (threading the tube into my uterus and inflating it) twice. While doing that she apologized stating that "if I'd known in med school that I'd have to do it myself in the real world I would have practiced more, in residency a tech did it and we observed". Umm, not very comforting! She said that there is something in there (looking for polyps) but that we shouldn't rush into surgery. That we should observe my charts for 3 more months to see what happens.

This is good news, but I'm not completely secure in my Dr's abilities. My plan is to see a new doctor in 3 months (we're moving in April) if I'm still having weird spotting/bleeding.

Honestly, all this stuff is making me (and DH) consider TTC sooner than later, but for this cycle we're still TTA.

Here's my cycle, I think I may have O'ed on CD19, too soon to tell.
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/ee424

FSUSammy

12-31-2005, 09:50 PM

Happy New Year's Ladies!!!

southerner-Actually I don't remember the sore bb's before charting. When I was on the pill I guess I never had this problem and since I've been on them for about 7 years I guess I just don't remember how things used to be. As for temping on the weekends I set my alarm the same time I do during the week and I'll get up to temp and then go right back to sleep and still manage to sleep in.

Still no O yet, maybe at somepoint this month I'll see that happen!!!!

Sam

tlew12778

01-01-2006, 07:05 AM

Those of you who experience ovulation pains: Are they severe, sharp, piercing terrible pains for you, too? I'm wondering if mine are more severe because of the PCOS, or if that's just what they are. Once, right before I was dx'ed with PCOS I think... I had such severe pain I was crying. It hasn't happened since though and I've o'ed every month since the dx.

Janey

01-01-2006, 12:21 PM

Thanks Tiffany & Ahammer ... glad to know that I'm not alone... and it also seems that it might be a reminder that PCOS hasn't removed itself from my body. :/

I think Ovusoft is calculating my Ovulation Date incorrectly this month. The program says that I ovulated on the 30th, which is the day before the ovulation pain. I think I disagree, and think I ovulated on the 31st, the day before the obvious temp jump and the day of the ovulation pains. Do you think I am right? Should my coverline be drawn at 97.5 this month?

FSUSammy

01-01-2006, 08:15 PM

Hey ladies, hope you all had a great 1st day of the new year!!

I was entering in my temps for the past few days and FF says that I might have O'd on CD29. Can anyone else take a look at my chart to see what you think??? I think I might have O'd yesterday since my temp went up by .3 when I temped this morning. Of course I'm going to see what my temps are like for the next 2 days to see if this is definitely post-O but I guess my question tonight is, do you think FF is right?

Thanks!
Sam

meagle

01-01-2006, 09:15 PM

Happy New Year all!

I just completed a very weird cycle and I suppose you could say I'm starting off rather strangely, too. Last cycle (29), I had my earliest O since charting (and possibly ever) - it was CD12! This is particularly notable because I've been under a ton of stress lately with a huge work project, plus holidays and travel so I figured I wouldn't ovulate again until February 2006! I'm glad, though, that I paid attention to my very early EWCM and took appropriate precautions! The reason this cycle is strange is because I had my heaviest post-pill bleeding on Friday - I used as many tampons that day as I usually use in my pathetically short visit from AF. Strange, strange, strange.

Temping on weekends - I only temp on weekends when I need the information, e.g. I am waiting to O or waiting to confirm O. When this is necessary, I set the alarm clock on my cellphone, temp, and return to sleep.

Mrs. Hill - I tend to agree with the software and think you probably O'd on CD16 (12/30) and that your coverline should be at 97.6. You might have O'd on CD15 (12/29), though.... However, since you haven't had three (3) post-O temps above that coverline, I think you should wait and see. The important thing to determine when you are charting to avoid is when you're safe post-O; you shouldn't get too worried about getting the exact date of O - sometimes it's not obvious or can be a toss-up between a couple of days.

FSU - I disagree with FF. I think your coverline should be 97.4. As you noted, a couple more temps and you'll know for sure.

AHammer

01-01-2006, 09:25 PM

can strenuous exercise postpone O?

I don't have TCOYF handy! thanks for anyone who could answer

amy

edited to clarify: strenous exercise for several days before expected O when I typically don't exercise AT ALL

Clattercote

01-01-2006, 09:43 PM

AHammer - Yeah, heavy exercise can delay O especially if it's just way more than you've done before - your body doesn't know what's hit it! :)

meagle - totally know what you mean about random possibly freaky early O dates - In the 18 months I've been charting, 17 months have involved O on CD 17 or later unless it was annov. - but there was the one month that I O'd on CD 8-9 - was i ever glad I was watching out for that - saw fertile CM almost as soon as AF ended and I thought it was the weirdest thing ever. Stress makes the body (mine anyway) do weird things.

MrsHill - I'd go with CD 16 as the probable O date - and if it were me I'd probably go with a 97.6 CL - I just like having a bit more clear temp shift.

FSUSammy - I agree with Meagle, if there is a temp shift there, it definitely doesn't start till CD 33, and you're right, it's all about waiting now.
temping on weekends - I just temp at the same time and then I go back to sleep - especially before O is confirmed. After the confirmed temp shift I don't usually temp on any days until AF starts.

southerner

01-02-2006, 08:39 AM

After the confirmed temp shift I don't usually temp on any days until AF starts.

eta: noticed meagle does this too.

really? that's interesting! do a lot of people do that? I'd love to stop temping (scared I'm going to beome too obsessed) for that time? What would be the disadvantages to this?

Janey

01-02-2006, 09:04 AM

Thanks Clattercote! Glad to know an 'expert' agrees with me. :)

I can't figure out how to get Ovusoft to re-draw my coverline where I think it ought to be. Not that it matters too much, but I'd like to be able to remember 6 months down the road where i thought it was suppoed to be. Maybe I'll take a look at the Ovusoft forums later today.

Southerner - the TCOYF book says that newbies should temp all the time, just to see what their body does. Then once you become an expert at your body, you can 'slack' a little bit... not temp between a few days after O and when your period ends. There are instructions in the book how to slack off with temping when you're ready. :)

Clattercote

01-02-2006, 09:05 AM

Not temping after shift - There are many disadvantages to stopping temping - I'd say, only do it if you've been charting for quite a while and only do it if you're REALLY confident in interpreting charts...

Disadvantages -
1) You miss the true temp shift - especially when you first start charting, it can be difficult to see temp shifts and so you have to be really confident that you've seen a shift
2) You forget to temp once AF rolls around - having a half-on, half-off pattern of temping can be hard for many people - it's easier just to do it every day.

Both of these are pretty serious disadvantages - and, if you're not experienced enough, could make you miss a shift, and misinterpret your charts altogether.

Advantages - You don't have to be wedded to the thermometer every SINGLE day ad nauseum - especially if, like me, you're TTA for a couple years. The sleeping in thing isn't a big deal for me because I can just roll over and go back to sleep, but it's a pretty nice perk for some who can't get back to sleep after all the ruckus of taking a temp.

tlew12778

01-02-2006, 09:27 AM

After the confirmed temp shift I don't usually temp on any days until AF starts.
I do the same thing. I start temping again the last couple days of my LP just to avoid nasty surprises.

Before O I temp on the weekends at normal time then go back to sleep.

southerner

01-02-2006, 09:49 AM

thanks. looks like I'll be temping everyday then ;)

SQ2

01-02-2006, 11:17 AM

The sleeping in thing isn't a big deal for me because I can just roll over and go back to sleep, but it's a pretty nice perk for some who can't get back to sleep after all the ruckus of taking a temp. This is my problem. I have a hard time getting back to sleep unless I have at least an hour or more between when I temp and when I get up. Plus, my alarm wakes up DH and it's impossible for him to fall back asleep. I haven't been strict about temping at exactly the same time every day but we pretty much get up between between 7 and 8am most days anyways (weekends included).

southerner

01-02-2006, 11:32 AM

SQ2, one day this weekend I slept in until 10:30. It was actually the day AF started, so my temp was much higher than the other days I've temped, I've learned that so far :) The other weekend day (after the ladies here told me I should try to temp. around the same time), I set my alarm woke up at 7:30 to temp. and my temp was more in the range of the other days. Anyway, the day I set my alarm, I had a hard time going back to sleep. I think I'm going to do at least two months to see if I either get used to it and start to go back to sleep or it's worth it. Maybe I'll be more productive on the weekends if I wake up earlier. Hey, I'm grasping at straws here. But, I also don't know if giving up my only days to sleep in are worth it. I'm not even TTC :confused: We'll see, but I want to give it a good 'ol college try. How long have you been charting?

Also, if you do not temp. the same exact time everyday, what should be the range to stick to. An hour? My TCOYF book is on the way, then I'll stop asking such basic questions :o

Clattercote

01-02-2006, 11:42 AM

honeygirl

01-02-2006, 03:12 PM

Ladies I have a question. My chart has shown a temp shift and FF is saying O at CD19. This is about a week earlier than my last few charts. Sadly I didn't follow the rules for CM, I figured that we were safe b/c it was early for O. I'm not too worried about preg b/c I saw the DR on CD19 and with the ultrasound I'm sure she washed away any remaining sperm (from UDD on CD17).

Anyway, do you think my temp shift could be due to the procedure or have I really adjusted my O date a lot this cycle? (Note for looking at FF charts, on at least 2 of the charts I believe I O'ed later than they say).

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/ee424

Clattercote

01-02-2006, 04:36 PM

honeygirl - I like FF's O date - for strict TTA, you have to count the one wet day after the temp shift as a ? for counting when the end of 4 dry days is (as in P 1 2 ? 3 4) - because of the open circle you could conceivably say that O is CD 20, but the temp shift coincides nicely with the CM. The spotting and wet CM btw is probably residual from the appt.

The dr appt might indeed have sped things up or otherwise made it wonky - but I don't think that a u/s or other procedure would cause a temp shift like what you see on this chart - that comes from O, most likely, unless you think there's a fever or something else going on.

I forgot to say, btw, I am glad to hear your news about the dr appt - but like you, I wonder about the doc, esp given what she said to you about med school and procedures! I'd probably seek a second opinion if you were able to given insurance, etc.

Reenie

01-02-2006, 09:52 PM

Don't worry about basic questions - keep asking!

I'd stick to more like 15-30 min timeframe - TCOYF says you can add .1 degree per half hour, if you go past your time and a lot of people on here do that. But that doesn't work for me because my temp is actually lower at 6:30 am than it is at 5:30, and then it shoots up again. So it's also an individualized thing - with experience, you'll figure out how your temps go.

That is good to know; thanks for that info.

Here is my chart to date...A very screwy month in charting... (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1002c9) we have been out of town a lot. I try to chart at 6:30, but twice I had to chart at 4:30 (early flights :rolleyes: ), and a few times I also messed up and fell back to sleep instead of temping, so I temped between 7 a.m. and 8:20. I had a very sharp pain on my right side tonight, below my rib cage but above my hip bone and it lasted for about 20 minutes. Ovulation or indigestion? :o FF says I O'd already...

Ah well, I guess I knew this was going to be a messy chart from the get-go.

Oh, one more thing. On Friday, we DTD and there was non-menstrual blood after, but not actual bleeding. There was nothing painful and there was no lube problem, so is this possibly from the cervix being slightly lower? I have been kind of squeamish about checking it, but I did notice that day (checking after blood) that it seemed soft and closer to the opening.

FSUSammy

01-03-2006, 09:57 AM

Hey ladies. Checking in here. Doesn't look like my temp is staying high. Well it kinda is compared to what I started off with earlier this month. My CM seems to be more on the sticky side today it at times is bordering dry. So I'm super confused on whether or not I O'd. I was hoping I'd get lucky with my first cycle and have all the signs I'm supposed to have but of course that didn't happen.

Anyone think I O'd yet?

Thanks!
Sam

clzj

01-03-2006, 10:03 AM

Please look at my chart. FF changed my O date.

tlew12778

01-03-2006, 10:11 AM

clzj- I think you o'ed but you are also missing 2 temps post O... but I would say you o'ed as your chart looks biphasic to me.

Sam- I do NOT think you o'ed. You don't have the temps or the CM to support an O.

AHammer

01-03-2006, 12:38 PM

OK, I think my venture into the world of exercising has whacked up my body.

I am in post-O temp range (for myself) but it's been an incredibly gradual increase (as opposed to my first two charts which had pretty good spikes). I did have EWCM last week, as shown on my chart, but it pretty much dried up to more creamy/sticky. who knows.

tlew12778

01-03-2006, 03:04 PM

it's been an incredibly gradual increase (as opposed to my first two charts which had pretty good spikes). That doesn't mean much. I normally have classic rises as well but I have also had a couple slow rises as well as a saw tooth rise. Just wait another couple days and if your temps stay high I would say you have O'ed esp. given the dry up.

AHammer

01-03-2006, 04:06 PM

That doesn't mean much. I normally have classic rises as well but I have also had a couple slow rises as well as a saw tooth rise. Just wait another couple days and if your temps stay high I would say you have O'ed esp. given the dry up.

great to know.. since this is just my 3rd chart I'm still pretty new!! thanks :)

Clattercote

01-03-2006, 07:39 PM

FSUSammy - I don't think you've O'd yet - your temp rise on CD 33 wasn't followed by sustained high temps; it looks to me like they're back in the pre-O range - so I think you've got more waiting to do - sorry :rolleyes:

clzj - Hmm - it is a hard chart to interpret since it's a very gradual rise - because of EWCM on CD 19, followed by dry up I do rather like FF's current interpretation. Because it's a slow thermal shift though, I'd go with 4 days of dry up - if you want to be very conservative, using Art of NFP rules, set the LTL at 97.8 and the HTL at 98.2 and wait till the temp is up at 98.2 (CD 25). Using TCOYF rules I'm inclined to set the CL a bit higher, to 98.0, just because of the slow rise.

tlew12778

01-04-2006, 02:52 AM

OMG Sam and clzj I mixed up your charts last night! Sorry! I just went back and checked after I read clatter's post. This is what happens when you're home sick. Sorry!

kanga1622

01-04-2006, 05:59 AM

FSUSammy - I agree with Tiffany, no O yet.

motray36

01-04-2006, 06:17 AM

Just checking in and saying hi - hope everyone had a great new year!
CD 20 for me..this is going to be a wacky chart for me too, I'm moving, traveling, changing my diet, etc. etc. We'll see!

FSUSammy

01-04-2006, 06:22 AM

Hey ladies,

I haven't posted today's temp yet but it was awfully high. I only got a little over 3 hours of sleep last night because I was at the Orange Bowl and didn't get home till 1:30 and had to wake up for work at 5:15. I know TCOYF says you need 3 hours of sleep before you can temp but could you consider a temp that was on 3 hours of sleep even remotely accurate?

My boss is letting me take a 1/2 personal day so that I can go home and take a MUCH needed nap so I'll make sure to post my temp when I get back home but in the meantime I figured I'd ask.

Thanks!
Sam

Reenie

01-04-2006, 06:27 AM

Question: how did you get "good" at interpreting charts? I can recognize the classic one, but other than that, I am pretty much clueless; I'd like to change that. Was it simply from experience or was it from supplemental reading material to TCOYF (which I've finished and can in no way recognize the types of charts...)

Reenie

01-04-2006, 06:32 AM

motray Mine's crazy, too! It's a little frustrating.

Coming back to say: as per my above post, what kind of chart does mine (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1002c9)qualify as? And I'm not sure if I'd count that big 98.1 on CD 13 because we slept in the warmest room I've ever been in and I woke up sweating. But I figured since I'm still just figuring this out and we're not using it for BC yet, I'd just leave it.

kemaji

01-04-2006, 07:27 AM

Reenie -- It just takes practice. I listen to what the more experienced people here have to say and compare what I think. The more you look at different charts, the easier they get to interpret. It took me a year to get really comfortable with my charts. With regards to your chart, I would use rule of thumb to discard your temp on CD13 and then I would agree with your O on CD17.

tlew12778

01-04-2006, 08:21 AM

Reenie - I agree with everything kemaji said. It just takes experience with looking at lots of charts over time to really get the hang of it. Plus, you'll notice that even those of us who have charted for over a year still ask for backup interpretations every now and then.

motray36

01-04-2006, 08:55 AM

Reenie - Ditto kemaji and tlew. My charts, even after a year, don't fall into a standard "type." The various charts shown in any book are going to be examples of what some people experience. I wouldn't worry about identifying the different types unless you find that you have difficulty interpreting at some point.

Clattercote

01-04-2006, 11:24 AM

Reenie - Yup, ditto what everyone else has said - it just takes a lot of practice - especially practice looking at charts other than your own. As for your own chart, I agree with what kemaji said - I wouldn't worry about the errant pre O temp because you can use the rule of thumb. I think your chart is pretty classic - it's more of a gradual rise, especially if you use Art of NFP rules, but the temp shift is clearly there. On some charts its very difficult to see where the shift occurred even though you can see THAT it occurred - so that's when people get fancier with the names - like "stair step" and slow rise.

Sam - I'd go ahead and record it - you'll know in a few days if it was an accurate temp or not (because either your temps will be sustained high, or they'll go back to lower temps)

Reenie

01-04-2006, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the info. I've been peeking at other women's charts by clicking on their sig links, just to test my knowledge.

southerner

01-04-2006, 12:51 PM

I've been peeking at other women's charts by clicking on their sig links, just to test my knowledge.

me too :p I'm just not quite ready (don't know if I ever will be though) to put a link in my sig. That would mean I'm hardcore ;) and reading this thread every time someone posts does not mean I'm hardcore...shhh....

Clattercote

01-04-2006, 02:57 PM

bijouparvin

01-04-2006, 09:56 PM

Hi, all! I think that, after 14 cycles, DH and I are leaning more toward SWH than TTA so I'm going to graduate myself. We're certainly still more inclined to avoid than TTC but we're planning to TTC within the next six months or so and we've started to be less cautious since it feels imminent anyway.

I'm happy to report that with over a year of charting, we've barely even had a scare. I learned so much about my body and we were able to play condom-free many times when we otherwise would have had to lug out the ole Trojans! ;) Thank you to all the expert gals on here and good luck to all the newbies!

XO,
Vanessa

tlew12778

01-05-2006, 03:07 AM

;)

I thought y'all might be interested in the following link. This references a medical study that does, in fact, support what many BCP users have insisted for years (even though their docs don't always agree) - that sex drive, etc. does in fact decrease with pill use.

I'll be interested in seeing if they do a longer term study on discontinued pill users, to see if the testosterone levels go back to normal.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/OBGYN/HRT/tb/2423 Hm. OK well not to be totally anal, but that's not really a medical study. It's written by a staff writer for a medical website as opposed to a team of researchers who generally hold MDs. Regardless, I don't really see what the new news is. I mean, in every single pill pack I have had it says decreased libido can be a side effect of the BCP. Drs also know for a fact that the BCP helps lower testosterone levels which is why they prescribe it for women with PCOS. I suppose the duration of the effects is what is key here but I think that probably has a lot to do with what type of BCP the person was on (the study even notes that they did not take this into account yet).

From a personal standpoint, I don't think the BCP has had these long term negative effects on me and I just took a pack maybe 3 months ago. I would say I am either back to normal or even better than before BCP. But I also think this has a lot to do with age, partner, relationship status, etc.

kemaji

01-05-2006, 06:03 AM

Clatter -- I saw a very similar article on CNN.com yesterday. I think it just goes to show how little we know about the prolonged effects of hormonal birth control on our bodies. This completely reaffirms how glad I am to be off it.

bijou -- Congrats!!! I can't say that I am surprised, you seem to be doing all sorts of other grown up things (like house hunting) and I am very excited for you!

Updated to here.

Clattercote

01-05-2006, 09:36 AM

bijouparvin - Congrats! I'm very excited for you!

Reenie

01-05-2006, 09:50 AM

Congratulations, bijouparvin! How exciting!

Sevilla

01-05-2006, 08:15 PM

I just came by to visit the thread. *waves hi* I'll be back probably in a year or so after my cycles return post-baby :).

Thought i'd drop off the article about BCP and sex drive and i see someone else posted another version of it. This one has some more of the scientific details if anyone is interested. Take care all! I loved being a part of this community for almost 3 years before TTC.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060104232338.htm

bijouparvin

01-06-2006, 07:05 AM

Thanks, everyone! I'll keep you posted on any development. ;)

ADSigMel

01-07-2006, 04:31 AM

Just checking in to say hi. Looks like my ovaries were awake this month....we'll see if the trend continues. Once this cycle is over, I'm probably going to move my temp time up by an hour, since my husband is working days again, so he gets up an hour before I do and always wakes me up.

Question: Does anyone know how much alcohol it takes to make a temp discardable? I drank a few whiskys and a beer during the Rose Bowl, and my temp the next morning (CD 24) was higher than on subsequent days. I don't think it really matters that much this cycle since I still have the beginnings of a promising overall thermal shift even if I discard that temp. But I was just wondering about the effects of alcohol on the BBT.

honeygirl

01-07-2006, 12:00 PM

ADSigMel - I was just reading in another thread that 2+ glasses of wine can increase temps.

RobynScott

01-07-2006, 12:58 PM

Hello ladies! Haven't had a chance to read the whole thread yet, but I was directed here to learn all about charting. Not really TTA, not yet TTC - just thinking of trying my hand at charting so I can be ready for when we do start TTC (sometime in the next 3 - 6 months). Just bought my copy of TCOYF and CD1 (AF) should be here soon so I guess all I am missing is a thermometer and the ability to get up at the same time everyday :)

Looking forward to joining the thread and learning a lot!

Robyn ;)

FSUSammy

01-07-2006, 07:00 PM

ADSigMel - Not sure how much alcohol it takes to make your temps go up but I had the same thing happen to me on Christmas Eve. I had one too many glasses of wine and the next morning my temp was WAY up. Definitely make note of it on your chart for now and if you have to later on discard it. I discarded mine immediately because I was completely drunk the night before so I knew that had to do with the high temp.

Sam

FSUSammy

01-07-2006, 07:16 PM

Hey ladies,

Tomorrow will be my last day on my first chart for Cycle #1. I'll have to continue Cycle #1 on another chart seeing that tomorrow will be CD40. I'm looking at my chart to see if I possibly O'd and I'm just not sure. From looking at my temps I just don't think I have yet because I don't have the 3 high post O temps over the 6. Everytime I get a spike in temp it drops the next day. I feel like my body is so defective right now. What do you ladies think?

-Sam

ADSigMel

01-08-2006, 04:40 AM

FSUSammy, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's annoying, but fairly normal, I think, to have long cycles. I've had either long or annovulatory (I wasn't charting, so I don't know for sure which it was) cycles before I went on BCP. Now I've been off of it for two years, and I still have an average cycle length of 50+ days. Out of my previous 5 cycles, 3 of them took multiple 40-day pages. One of them actually took 3 pages. I just put a "+40" notation next to where the chart says "Day of Cycle" and keep right on going. It sucks, but it happens.

ETA: Your current cycle looks similar to my third and fourth cycles charting. I put them on my chart display page in case you wanted to take a look. The May one was annovulatory and the July one was 91 days long. *shrug* I know that doesn't make you feel any better, but at least you know you're not alone.

RobynScott

01-08-2006, 02:03 PM

Whoops - just read the first page so I thought I'd add my info :)

screen name:RobynScott
Real name: Robyn (29)
DH's name: Scott (31)
Occupation: Attorney
Married: August 29, 2004
Started charting (date): January 2006
TTC: Spring 2006

Clattercote

01-08-2006, 02:08 PM

RobynScott - Welcome! I hope you find the board helpful - I've been using this board ever since I started charting and it's been great to have so much support.

AdSigMel - In my experience, how much alcohol affects temps depends on the person and even on the particular chart. Sometimes one glass does affect me; sometimes not.

FSUSammy - You're right - you don't have a true temp rise yet. It does look like a very typical post-BCP chart. The only thing I want to check with you is what kind of BBT are you using? Your chart temps could also be explained by the following: 1) using a non-digital thermom. It can be hard to get the hang of exactly where to put these kinds of thermoms in the mouth to get an accurate read each day - and it can be hard to keep it in long enough - thus giving you high peaks and low valleys in temps. I used one myself when I first started, and switched to digital right away. 2) Remembering to keep your mouth shut around the thermom so that cold air doesn't sneak in - I had this problem as well - so each morning I just try to be very conscious.

If these don't apply, then I'd say it really is just your body getting used to itself again! Hang in there!

FSUSammy

01-08-2006, 02:45 PM

ADSigMel-Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone. It's frustrating but in a way I rather go through this now then if I was to stay on BCPs and go off when we are ready to TTC to find out that its going to take longer than expected. At least now I'll be able to get them all out of my system now AND learn a lot about when I O and all.

Clattercote - I have a digital therm. that I got at Walgreens. I make sure to hold the thermometer in place and all. Thanks for verifying that you didn't notice a true temp rise either on my chart. Makes me feel like I'm learning something at least.

Sam

SQ2

01-08-2006, 08:29 PM

I now have an online chart. (http://www.ovusoft.com/forum/chart.asp?id=bgum78)

I'm trying Ovusoft to see how it goes. This is my second cycle off BCPs. We just got back from the west coast (to central time) so my temps have been a bit off. I like how the program automatically adjusts my temps for me, even if I don't temp at 7am every day. :)

FSUSammy

01-09-2006, 06:24 AM

Hey ladies. I'm at work and AF just arrived. I noticed that my temps for the past 3 days have dropped. Can't enter in today's temp because my work blocks FF for some reason. Well regardless today's temp was 96.6. Thankfully this morning I made sure I had "protection" with me just in case and good thing I did!

Could this be anovulatory bleeding or could it really be AF??? Just in case it matters it is BRIGHT red too.

Thanks!
Sam

kemaji

01-09-2006, 06:34 AM

Updated to here.

Sam -- Your chart definitely looks annov. to me, so I would guess that you didn't O which would make that breakthrough bleeding. Since you didn't O, you should use protection for all of your next cycle because you could O at any time.

One thing to check about your therm. is, do you have a basal thermometer or just a regular digital thermometer? My understanding (and I could be wrong) is that a basal thermometer measures the lower temps much more accurately than a regular thermometer which is specifically for fevers. Perhaps that is why you have such dramatic temp shifts.

AdSigMel -- Temps affected by alcholol are different for everyone. I'm just like Clatter in this case, sometimes my temps are affected by one or two drinks, sometimes it takes more. I'm not sure why, but I know what my general temp range is and know when to discard.

FSUSammy

01-09-2006, 06:43 AM

kemaji - So would I consider today CD 1 on a new chart?? Also, about the therm. I have a basal digital therm.

Sam

kemaji

01-09-2006, 06:45 AM

Yeah, I would consider today CD1 of a new cycle.

ETA: Forgot to welcome RobynScott! Feel free to ask any questions you might have, there are plenty of very knowledgable women in this thread.

MrsKinnison

01-09-2006, 07:37 AM

Hi ladies, I hope you all had a great New Year!! I just wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing??

Sammy I agree with kemaji and think your chart is probably annov, but would still count today as CD1. Definately make sure not to UDD until you can confirm an O this cycle.

About drinking & temps Sometimes just 2 glasses of wine would affect my temp the next day, and sometimes 2 wouldn't affect my temp at all. However, if my mouth felt really dry that morning I always *knew* my temp would be high and would always end up discarding it.

RobynScott

01-09-2006, 08:03 AM

ETA: Forgot to welcome RobynScott! Feel free to ask any questions you might have, there are plenty of very knowledgable women in this thread.

Thanks! I expect AF to show up tonight or tomorrow morning. I'm going to try and buy a BD thermometer at lunch. I started going through TCOYF - and I signed up on FF (but haven't use it yet) - so, where do I start? I will count the first day of AF as CD 1. I guess then I start temping tomorrow morning before I get out of bed? I am one of those that has the alarm go off but keeps hitting snooze - do I need to try and avoid the snozze button?

I know these are all real newbie questions - but there's a lot of info and I am just trying to follow along - thanks~!