Charting-to-Avoid Volume 3 -- No babies right now!

[motray36]

CindyM I would consider it spotting as long as its not bright red...it really shouldn't make all that much difference how you record it because its at the end of AF, though. As for setting the alarm early on weekends, I would strongly suggest doing so, to give yourself an accurate and complete picture of your cycles. Just try to roll back over and go to sleep. My problem with doing what SQ2 suggested is that my temperature doesn't always like to follow the rules Ovusoft uses for adjusting...so I would get a skewed readout.

[CindyM]

I am using both Ovusoft and Fertility Friend and I noticed that Ovusoft changed it from 98.4 to 98.2, which is what I got today when I woke up at 6 so I was thinking it would be right but I just want to make sure. I am also going to start charting on paper as well but I haven't made my copies yet. Hopefully one day this week. Thanks for the quick responses Motray and SQ2.

[FSUSammy]

CindyM - I'd probably consider that spotting. As for the weekend temps it can affect your chart. I have learned to set my alarm on the weekends and temp and then go right back to sleep. There are times when somehow I don't hear my alarm on the weekends so as soon as I remember I temp, but I always adjust my temp.

[ALeonard]

Hi Everyone! I'm a newbie to the thread (lurker for a while) but now I have a question. I've been charting and making observations for about 6 months.

I read somewhere that you should always be watching for CM. This might be a silly question, but how do you check during AF? I did my best at the beginning of this cycle but I found it difficult to tell the difference between CM and random period gunk. (For lack of a better word!) I just can't tell the difference! Should I consider anything that stretchs more than 1/2" to be fertile? I've been worried about this for a while, so I would appreciate any input! TIA!

[FSUSammy]

ALeonard -Welcome!!

In my opinion, AF is your freebie week (or few days). No need to check CM then because you can't. Plus the few days after AF you should be dry so you would be infertile.

Sam

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. I just added my temps to both of my charts. Once again both SW's are contradicting one another AND contradicting what I think is my possible O date. FF Says I O'd on CD27, Ovusoft isn't registering yet because it thinks I O'd on CD 29. However I think I O'd on CD 28.

Anyone have any ideas???

Thanks!
Sam

[honeygirl]

FSUSammy - At this point I'd say you O'd on CD28 also. Ovusoft may say that in the next couple of days also. Your chart looks good btw! :)

ALeonard - Like Sam said, during AF you don't need to check CM. The first 5 days of your cycle are safe to UDD (after you know your cycles) b/c you shouldn't be fertile at that point. I don't mark CM till after AF is done (and usually I'm dry at that point).

Update: I'm on CD10 and having the worst time taking my temps. I keep having interruptions (phone call, dog, etc) and so I'm not sure how accurate my temps are. I've found that my temps go DOWN after I've been up, isn't that weird? Anyway, I should still be in my infertile stage so it doesn't matter as much. That and I think we're seeing what happens, but I'm not sure. I should graduate to SWH or TTC w/ charting, but I'm not sure which thread to join! Is it alright if I hang around here even if you remove my info (so I don't ruin the TTA stats)?

[ADSigMel]

Sam, I'm going with CD 28, too, although I can see where CD29 might work. CD27, not so much.

honeygirl, yes, do hang out with us! It's all about what makes you feel comfortable.

[Janey]

MrsHill Yep, I drink at least two liters of water a day. Not to mention the water in my sweet tea but that has lots of sugar. :p
Pardon my ignorance of all things southern ;), but does sweet tea have caffeine? If so, that'll dehydrate ya... in my diet class they say to add 1 oz. water for every caffeinated ounce of beverage you drink to balance out the dehydration.

[FSUSammy]

Morning ladies. I added today's temp to both charts and I can't seem to understand what ovusoft is doing!!

Anyone understand ovusoft enough to tell me what the line is at 98 degrees and the three pink boxes in the fertile phase/peak day boxes??? It's almost as if Ovusoft is saying I didn't O yet.

Sam

[akacharlotte]

Pardon my ignorance of all things southern ;), but does sweet tea have caffeine? If so, that'll dehydrate ya... in my diet class they say to add 1 oz. water for every caffeinated ounce of beverage you drink to balance out the dehydration.


Sometimes yes...when I drink it in a restaurant but at home we drink decaf tea. :D However, I never knew to add 1 oz of water for every caffeinated ounce I drink. That is interesting. Gosh, my poor SO must be dehydrated all the time. He doesn't drink much water but can drink 1-2 pots of coffee a day. :eek:

Dumb question: Does sugar have caffeine as well? Cause if it does...well then I am screwed. :rolleyes:

[Daniel's Kitty]

I have decided to come out of lurking. I am on my second cycle after my son right now. I am a paper charter though, so I don't have a FF link or anything.

My temps have looked so screwy to me lately so I am having to rely more on mucus right now.

Daniel's Kitty
Me: Kat (23)
DH: Daniel (almost 23)
Occupation: SAHM for now
Married: June 11, 04
Started Charting: March 04
TTC: Maybe late 06 ??
Child: Ben

[motray36]

ALeonard Thanks for coming out of hiding! Welcome

honeygirl I had 3 straight days of 97.2 temps, so I "checked my thermometer" by taking my temperature about an hour after I woke up....it was 96.8. Who the heck has a temperature of 96.8? I think I'm in a coma. So yes, mine goes down - weird.

[FSUSammy]

motray36 - I have temps at 96.8!!!

[akacharlotte]

ALeonard Thanks for coming out of hiding! Welcome

honeygirl I had 3 straight days of 97.2 temps, so I "checked my thermometer" by taking my temperature about an hour after I woke up....it was 96.8. Who the heck has a temperature of 96.8? I think I'm in a coma. So yes, mine goes down - weird.

Me too! That has been a standard temp of mine this cycle. I don't get up in the 98 degree area until after O usually. :)

[raven077]

Welcome Daniel's Kitty!

I also chart on paper, but I like the confirmation of the programs.

[Janey]

I also have some temps at 96.9. They never stay for more than a day at a time, though, which makes me wonder if those are "false lows." I count them anyway.

akacharlotte - You're probably okay with that amount of caffeinated tea. Just when you're at restaurants, have a glass of tea and a glass of water, and trade off sips. Here's some information on caffeinated beverages (http://www.cspinet.org/nah/caffeine/caffeine_corner.htm), in case you were curious (I looove Nutrition Action Healthletter!).

Try switching the SO to at least his 2nd pot to decaf -- tell him it's For The Babies. :) I made the switch from caffeinated coffee to decaf when I left work (they only had caffeinated coffee there and I couldn't give up my morning 12 oz coffee w/ chocolate diet shake mix in it!!). It's so funny -- now if I drink caffeinated coffee, I get sick with headaches and nausea the next day.

There's no caffeine in sugar. Sugar has its own issues all to itself. ;)

[kemaji]

Welcome Daniel's Kitty!

Updated to here.

Not much really to report on my cycle. I missed a couple days right around O and Ovusoft hasn't called it, but I know I O'ed. It's nice to have a drama free cycle.

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. Just wanted to give props to Ovusoft. I went on their boards this morning and asked about my current chart and why its interpreting it the way it is. Their tech support responded to my post and told me to do a few things (like get their update) but it didn't work. They asked me to email them my database via Ovusoft, which I just did. I thought that was super cool!!!

So we'll see what they say.

[Janey]

Welcome Daniel's Kitty!

Sam - they have an update? Where is that?? I agree that Ovusoft's tech support has been great. Theresa has emailed me at 8pm on a Saturday night when I couldn't get something to work. Coo-ool. Love it. :D

[CindyM]

Did anyone notice more headaches when going off the pill. I have one today that won't go away and I am chalking it up to getting adjusted to not having the pill in my body. The only good thing is I can now take the pills I used to take on the pill without worrying about making the pill inactive.

[HisSpicy]

ALeonard Thanks for coming out of hiding! Welcome

honeygirl I had 3 straight days of 97.2 temps, so I "checked my thermometer" by taking my temperature about an hour after I woke up....it was 96.8. Who the heck has a temperature of 96.8? I think I'm in a coma. So yes, mine goes down - weird.


I had the same temp 4 days in a row, and I've had temps at 96.0! I paper chart and every chart I print out I have to go and white out all the 97,98,99 and change them to 96,97,98. Big pain but it's just how I am, my daytime temps are usually in the 97s.

[FSUSammy]

MrsHill - Yeah you can check for an update by opening up the program. And going to help. Go to Taking charge of your fertility on the web and then you'll see Check website for update. It'll tell you if you need it or not. Theresa was the one that replied to my post so we'll see what she comes up with regarding my database. (I have a feeling it has something to do with last cycle which was 50 days long, but it shouldn't).

Sam

[Daniel's Kitty]

Pre O I am probably sick if I see 98, at first I freaked and bought a different thermometer, now I just change the temps on my chart and not worry about it.

[raven077]

CindyM, being on my second cycle off BCP, I personally haven't noticed any headaches as a result of stopping it, but again, every woman is different and it might indeed be something that your body is doing to adjust.

[stevesbabygirl]

Well, it looks like we won't be TTC until July now :(. DH's aunt is coming out this summer instead of next, and I promised I would take her granddaughter to Disneyland and go on all the rides that his aunt wouldn't go on. I'm actually pretty okay with it, because now I won't feel pressured to get pg in a few months, so that the baby will be born before they come out to California.

Threadmistress, can you add my stats back please :)?

Stevesbabygirl http://www.ovusoft.com/forum/chart.asp?id=stevesbabygirl
Real name: Heather, 26
DH's/FH's/BF's name: Steve, 28
Occupation: Surgical technologist, receptionist for car dealership
Married: August 31, 2003
Started charting: February 2006
TTC: July 2006

[raven077]

HisSpicy, et al. with Low Temps...
I took the PDF from TCOYF that MrsHill had mentioned the other day and DID actually go in and alter the temps so it's clean, and there's no White-Out required. 96, 97, 98, instead of 97, 98, 99. :) You can find it here (http://homepage.mac.com/karen077/Sites/WebImages/TCOYF/TCOYF_BC_LowTemp.pdf).

My only request is that it stays relatively lo-key, however, since it does have my .mac name and info etc in it. If someone needs another tweak, I wouldn't mind trying to help out. Just PM me with your request and your email and I'll send it to you that way.

[motray36]

My 96.8 was daytime, not waking (96's are pretty common waking temps for me)...I know that 98.6 is an average, and that healthy people can get down to 97.6ish during the day...but the 96.8 really threw me for a loop!

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. Back again. Ovusoft replied back to my issue. It apparently had something to do with my preferences for CM and my last cycle was throwing it off because I think it was trying to compare previous cycles to determine when I'd be fertile this cycle.

Ok, so on to my new question. Now after making my update on Ovusoft both FF and Ovusoft say I O'd on CD 27. With a rule of thumb on CD 24. Now in a way I want to agree because I had the severe O pains on CD 27 so it would make sense but of course I'm still technically a newbie so I'm not sure.

Granted one day in the scheme of things isn't going to do anything. Just wanted to see what you guys all thought.

Thanks!
Sam

[TheMarieke]

I have my Ovusoft chart uploaded now!!

Oh, and if you look back in my charts, I only put the first day of my period for some of them so that I don't have a 6-month cycle, haha. I'll be updating all of them as I have time.

I can't believe I'm on Cycle 14 and I haven't even been charting for a year yet!! (Almost, though).

Oh, and I think my body decided to join all of you with the same temp for days in a row!! I had the same temp for nearly 5 days in a row before O (I'm pretty sure it was yesterday). Wierd!

ETA: I don't have the last couple days charted on Ovusoft yet, but they are in my FF chart.

[TheMarieke]

About low temps, I got some really low ones (in the 96s) when I temped orally. Once I started temping vaginally, I haven't had any temps that low.

[Clattercote]

Daniel's Kitty - Welcome! It's definitely good to rely mostly on CM at this point - you may even find that the Billings Method or the Creighton Method, which rely on CM alone but which have stricter standards for determining fertile CM are more helpful when bfing. Lots of people do rely on STM guidelines with no problem - but if you find the CM difficult to figure out with returning fertility then maybe check out www.woomb.com etc.

Low temps - It just varies from person to person - my pre O temps are anywhere from 96.4-97.2 and my post O temps go up to 97.8. Cold temps can relate to thyroid issues, so if you've got other symtoms or if you have a family history it's worth it to get it checked out (and have them do the full battery of tests for thyroid, not just T3 and T4) - symptoms include cold hands and feet, rapid weight gain, sluggishness, long cycles, days and days and days of EWCM etc. I believe that TCOYF and Art of NFP both mention other symptoms. If the thyroid checks out, then don't worry too much about it - as long as you can see a distinction between pre and post-O temps, that's the main thing.

[CindyM]

I wish I had more to offer in the way of answers but hopefully that will come along soon enough. I have one more question - when I checked my CM from the tp just now it was pink tinged and would strech about half an inch - would this be considered sticky? Thanks once again!:o

[FSUSammy]

CindyM - I consider anything that stretches from finger to finger to be EWCM.

[Clattercote]

Ditto what Sam says! Anything that stretches that far is in the EWCM category -

[kemaji]

Updated to here. Hi stevesbabygirl! I wish you were back under different circumstances...

[raven077]

Sorry I missed that update. With the next one would you tweak mine?

raven077 (add my chart: http://www.ovusoft.com/forum/chart.asp?id=raven077)
TTC: October-ish 2006

Thank you!

[kemaji]

raven -- No problem!

Updated to here.

[Daniel's Kitty]

Does anybody have problems with CM quantity? I used to have tons pre preg and now I only have tons if it is EWCM. It seems like all the liquid in my body goes to milk.

[FSUSammy]

Daniel's Kitty - Are you drinking enough water??

[Daniel's Kitty]

Usually more than I want to think about. I shouldn't be at any shortage for liquid. It might just be that I am not completely back to normal I guess. I am out of practice.

[juliemag]

Mind if I join you ladies?

juliemag (on CC and LJ) / my chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/9c636)
Real name: Julie (27)
DH: Joshua (26)
Occupation: Marketing creative person
Married: 4-24-04
Started charting: March 2006
TTC: Most likely sometime in 2007

I've been on BCP for the last 2 years and I'm finally ready to say good-riddance and start charting. I've been practicing over the last month to get used to temping / checking CM (even though I know it was pretty pointless since I was still on the pill). I wanted to be sure it was something that fit for me. I will take my last pill on Saturday. :D Anyway, I'm excited and nervous to join ya'll! :)

[southerner]

welcome juliemag!

[juliemag]

Thanks southerner!

[FSUSammy]

Welcome juliemag!

[kemaji]

Updated to here.

Welcome juliemag!

[motray36]

Welcome Juliemag!

Well, my temp finally went up this morning at day 31 and now I get to see how long of an lp my body decided to give me this month.

Anyone know why an lp might fluctuate? I know it's not supposed to, but mine does anyway.

Could it be related to thyroid problems like Clattercote mentioned? I have cold hands/feet, sluggishness, long cycles and low temperatures, plus, my sister had hyperthyroid problems when she was younger. I want to say that I had blood work done for this, but nothing unusual was found. Maybe they just did the T3 and T4 though.

kemaji - sorry to be a pain...next time you update,I had a birthday and am now 26. Thanks!

Sorry for rambling! Thanks in advance.

[raven077]

Welcome juliemag!

[Janey]

Welcome, Juliemag, and Happy Birthday, Motray!


So, I'm having another weird cycle.

I had a temp shift, but have not had the CM dry-up one usually associates with such a temp shift. My CM has gone to 'some' creamy with a bit of ewcm versus all watery/ewcm ... but I still see stretchiness, so I still count it as EWCM. Because of the lack of dry-up, Ovusoft is rule-of-thumbing my temperature from Wednesday; the first 98+ temp I had this cycle, and is saying I have not yet ovulated.

Then, yesterday, I had the most un-freaking-believable pains. I was in the shower getting ready to go to my one-day-a-week job, and there they came, just all of a sudden. These pains were the "I think I might die" pains. The kind of pains that made me sort of hover over the toilet with my knees slightly bent, making strange noises that I would imagine a woman in labor might make. I just kept telling myself, "This will be over, soon" and "Man if I can't handle this, there's NFW I should even consider NCB."

The pains felt like (here's where we get graphic) someone was sticking a knife up my hoo-hah. They were centered, not to one side or another, and definitely vaginal/uterine in area. I took two Aleve and after I did that, the pains did not come back as severe, but I felt the knife on and off for the next 5 hours. If I held a kegel, the pains were less severe. Early on, I could not let go of the kegel. Mid-way through, it just hurt to let go, and finally later than afternoon I was okay to let go.

The first bout lasted about 5-7 minutes (I assume, anyway -- I lost all sense of time), went away, and came back again for another round. I sat down in my chair in front of the computer, talked on the phone to my cousin and told her I was going to hope they went away soon, and I didn't want to drive the 45 mins to her house because if they came back when I was on the road, I was afraid I'd get in an accident. She said - don't worry about it; stay home. I'm glad she said that because for a while I couldn't get back out of the chair.


I called the Dr. about 2 hours into the pains since they weren't going away. I called B to tell him that I may have to go to the Dr., and if I did, he might need to drive me. He came home at lunch and never left. They tried to fit me in but could not; I have an appointment today.

You can believe I will be bringing my charts.


Something interesting... These are the exact same pains I had the night 2 years ago when I thought I was ovulating (https://stfunfw.wordpress.com/2004/03/21/ovulation/).

[dpangel33]

motray36 thanks for reminding me; I am now 23 :p

[FSUSammy]

MrsHill - Those sound like O pains. I had the same exact feeling last week when I O'd. I was squirming on the couch because it hurt so bad. Ended up having to take 2 Aleve that night.

[southerner]

MrsHill, That sounds scary. I hope I never have to experience anything like that. Hope you got some answers at the doctor today.

[kissmary]

MrsHill, I hope they are only O pains again like the last time you felt them! I've only had minor twinges, but nothing like that.

Welcome Juliemag and Daniel's Kitty!

[Juniper]

Hi everyone. Can I join in? I am charting to avoid starting this week I think. I have had an IUD, but had it removed because of weight gain. So I am trying this method. I succesfully TTC'd my son, who is 2, with charting. I am ready to get back into it.

Here are my stats

Juniper
Me: Juniper (30)
DH: Matt (26)
Occupation: SAHM
Married: July 21, 2001
Started Charting: January 02, Now starting agian
TTC: Undecided
Child: Anthony (2)

[FSUSammy]

Welcome Juniper!

[raven077]

Hey Juniper! The more the merrier. :)

[Janey]

Welcome Juniper!

I got back from the dr's office. I actually saw the nurse practitioner. She was pretty helpful. She said that I looked normal, and that the pains I was feeling could be ovulation pains, but they also could not be. She asked me if I was passing gas/having regular BMs and I said yes - I eat ~10 cups of fruits and veggies a day and am getting plenty of dietary fiber. (However, I kind of wonder if it wasn't a bowel thing... I certainly haven't ruled that out in my brain. But it just seemed so central... I don't know.)

In any case, I had a vaginal ultrasound back in 2003, which is when they found the cysts and diagnosed me as having PCOS. Subsequent to the diagnosis of PCOS is when I lost all the weight. She said she wanted to do a repeat ultrasound for a couple of different reasons -- to check for fibroids, to check my uterus for anomolies, and to see if my ovaries are still polycystic. The U/S will also check my bowels so that's good too. The ultrasound will be in ~2 weeks, since it has to be between CD5-CD9, when my lining is low.

The last fasting blood gucose I had done was back in 2003 as well, and I came back as Insulin Resistant. She ordered another one of those tests to see if I am still insulin resistance, cause apparently that can be a factor in fertility as well. That's on the 10th.

Since we will be TTC this cycle, she also suggested that I go to Costco and get the Clearblue Easy Ovulation Test, to find out if my Luteal Phase is really 11/12 days long. If so, they will put me on progesterone to lengthen my luteal phase in order to help prevent a miscarriage.

That's all i know. But I'm glad I went to the doctor. :)

[southerner]

MrsHill, Sounds like a plan! I'm glad you got in there today and I was happy to hear you say that you're getting an ultrasound and blood work done. Keep us posted on what happens w/ temps this week. BTW, I love that you're still active in here, even though I know you joined TTC :o

Welcome juniper!

[Janey]

Southerner thanks for the well wishes. :D Hooray for having a plan!!

I'm still active in here cause I'm still officially Avoiding pregnancy. In fact I'm so crabby about the condoms lately that avoiding pregnancy has really not been that difficult. :rolleyes:

[Clattercote]

mrsHill - I'm glad to hear there's a plan! Sounds like they're covering all sorts of bases for you. I wonder if those pains might have been either (just sort of tossing out ideas here): a) muscle spasms (just happens sometimes - I've had some excruciating ones - almost go to the ER ones - but it went away) or b) I've heard of cases where the ovaries actually twist up and that can cause some pain - in any case, I hope something works out -

Welcome, Juniper and JulieMag!

Motray - I'd probably say something at the next appointment - that symptoms aren't going away. But I might also ask for a progesterone test if they haven't already done one. I get lots of hypothyroid symptoms, but I don't test positive for that - I do test positive for low progesterone, though - and that's helped the symptoms somewhat. I do still get very low BBT though!

[raven077]

MrsHill, so the ovulation test should ideally pinpoint the day of O, instead of relying on your signs, thus allowing for a count of maybe 12/13/14 days, in case your signs are off?

[Clattercote]

Raven - Ovulation predictor tests (OPKs), like Clearblue's, detect the surge of lutenizing hormone (LH). LH surges usually just before ovulation happens - about 12-36 hours. OPKs are not necessarily going to be more accurate than temp for determining LP, since usually progesterone kicks in once the LH surge has happened, and that would cause a temperature rise that is chartable. OPKs can be wrong (and they can miss the LH surge, too, if the test taking isn't timed right) - your body can gear up to ovulate, the tests can see the surge, and then for whatever reason, the O doesn't happen - if you chart temps and CM, you'd see exactly that happening (because the CM would dry up but come back quickly and the temps would stay low) - but usually if you take an OPK and it comes up positive, people stop taking the tests, assuming O, so if there wasn't an actual O, you wouldn't know. If you did keep taking the tests, the OPK would pick up additional LH surges.

The benefit of using OPKs in MrsHill's case is that, in some people, progesterone doesn't kick in very rapidly - so temps don't necessarily rise and coincide with probable ovulation. So the LP looks shorter than it actually is. If you use an OPK, you can determine if th e O and the temperature surge don't coincide - and therefore you can tell more about the LP.
Here's a link for anyone interested: http://www.peeonastick.com/opkfaq.html#1

[Janey]

Clattercote - Thanks for both the well wishes and the explanation for Raven. You did a much better job than I ever could have!

Also FWIW, she specifically recommended the Clearblue OPKs, and said that in their experience, people have much better success with those than with the generics. If they hadn't been suggested by my Nurse Practitioner, I wouldn't be using the OPKs, especially the clearblues, cause they are $17 per kit. Ouch.

[Clattercote]

MrsHill - I think Clearblue is best too, among OPKs - if you haven't already bought them, perhaps look on Ebay and see what the prices are there - though I suppose the price difference with costco may be minimal.

[chinadoll]

I haven't been getting notifications for this board so I haven't been here in a long time. But I'm popping in today because I am in panic mode and totally stressed. potentially major OOPS!

DH and I had a little morning DTD session today -- which was great until I went to hop up and the condom was nowhere to be found. I mean nowhere. I couldn't feel it and DH had to poke *way* in to get it out. There was definitely stuff inside it, so I think it came off at the end....but it still came off. I am so totally STRESSED about this I can hardly see straight. Apparently this means I am in no way ready to even think about having children, because I'm not even a little tiny bit excited about the possibility of being pregnant. I'm just in a major panic!!

My FF chart hasn't been updated in awhile, but my ovusoft one is current. I had a stretch of EWCM about 4-5 days ago, and this morning was my second high temp. What do you think the chances of a major OOPS are?

so, so, SO not ready to have a baby. Trying to think positive thoughts right now. eek. DH tried to reassure me. It's not working. yikes. :eek:

i don't think I'm going to want to DTD again for a LOOOONG time.

[Janey]

Chinadoll - Looking at your chart, I think you've already missed the egg. I can understand your panic, though! Try to stay calm!

Clattercote - Eh, evern if it's a couple bucks more expensive I think I'd rather have the ease-of-use that Costco gives me. It's just... after I bought the book and the software, I thought I was done spending money. ;) Of course, if spending $17 now helps me not to miscarry in the future, I'm all over it.

[southerner]

chinadoll, I'm going to agree with MrsHill (what else is new? ;) ), I think you're in the clear.

[Clattercote]

Chinadoll - I wouldn't panic - chances of getting pg are 25-30% without condoms or other ABC, anyway. So there's already a fairly low chance of pg - and in this case, knowing that there is already a temp shift and beginning dry up makes it even less likely. I'd probably set your LTL at 97.5, shaving the 97.6 temp down. That would make your temp shift a full shift - combined with (at the moment) 1 full day of dry up. By Art of NFP rules, you'd ideally want one more day of high temps, combined with one more day of dry up, in case of second ovulation - but I would say it's REALLY likely that the egg is already gone.

[SQ2]

chinadoll Just wanted to offer some reassurance from someone who recently had the same type of OOPS. The exact same thing happened to us last cycle. We were like...WTF...where is it?? :p Except for me, it happened 4 days before O when I had pretty fertile CM. I was freaking out too. I had all these pg symptoms too, including nausea which I never get before AF. Guess what, I'm not pregnant! I agree with everyone else, I think you're fine.

[chinadoll]

thank you everyone! I hope you're all right. SQ2-- it's a very weird feeling! we were looking all over and it was nowhere! (i wonder if it would come out on its own eventually?) my sister is an ER nurse and this is exactly the kind of weird ER stories she tells me.

I did squirt some spermicide in afterward just in case that might help. Also, it was the second time we had DTD in an 8-hour stretch -- which I think reduces the amount of sperm. But it only takes one!

ahh well. nothing I can do about it but wait anyway. And I'm feeling slightly more rational now. A baby would not be the end of the world...just not exactly what we had planned. :rolleyes:

[raven077]

You ladies are awesome. Thanks for the info, and the link. :)

[tlew12778]

Hi guys! I'm back from HM! It was absolutely fantastic.

I haven't read all like 20 :eek: pages that were posted while I was gone yet but I will try to skim the last few this week just to see what's been going on. I cannot believe that I did not have delayed O with all the wedding stress, international travel, anti-malarials, etc.

[FSUSammy]

tlew12778 - Congrats and welcome back!!!!

[motray36]

Welcome Juniper!

Thanks, Clattercote for your input...just know that you are so appreciated around here!

Well, apparently I had a 3 day LP....AF showed up on Sunday. Sat night I was at a wedding, slightly intoxicated, and when I went to the bathroom I was like, "WHAT???? There is no flippin way that this is AF, I must be seeing things." But it was. Lovely.

[Clattercote]

tlew - Welcome back! And congratulations!

Motray - That's weird enough that I suspect either a) it's not actually AF but BTB.... or b) you had a definite annov cycle, despite the apparent temp shift. I had one of these a little less than a year ago - sharply spiking temps for 3 days followed by AF. ETA: forgot to ask, what was your temp today?

[kissmary]

tlew, Congratulations and welcome back!!

My temps right now are like post O, I think because I have a sort-of cold... I guess I will have to rely on CM dry-up this cycle to determine O, or wait to see if my temps go down and my O is delayed, which is not likely given the extra strechy EWCM. Chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/112767)

[kemaji]

Updated to here.

tlew -- Congratulations and welcome back!

[Daniel's Kitty]

tlew Welcome back.

Well, I have mucus, but that also means I have a husband chasing me around. I just must be still getting back to normal.

[yanekie25]

yanekie25 from WC and LJ
Real name: Kalshelia (27)
DH's/FH's/BF's name: Malcolm (26)
Occupation: Finance
Married (date of or date planned): October 21, 2006
Started charting (date, if known): Gonna to start this cycle.
TTC: Probably not until 2009

I haven't gotten through this whole thread, but what I have read has been so helpful. Right now FH and I are abstaning, but I want to start charting so I understand what is going on by the time of the wedding and DTD.

It is best to start with my first cycle, right. I am heading over to fertiliyfriend and plan on reading TCOYF. I will probably start my cycle around the 19th.

It is so great to find a place with other ladies who are TTA.

[Janey]

Welcome, yanekie25!

And Welcome Back, Tiffany! Wahoo!! Congrats to the married lady. Can't wait to hear how it all went. Especially the dancing! :D

[FSUSammy]

yanekie25 - Welcome! Yes you'll want to start on the first day of your next cycle.

[CindyM]

So I am still charting on my first cycle - kinda feel like I still don't know what I am doing but I will get the hang of it. One question - on fertility friend do you have to be a VIP to be able to post a link to your chart. Thanks! Welcome to all of the new charters!

[FSUSammy]

CindyM - Cindy, are you talking about using your FF chart to link in your signature on this board? If so there should be info on how to do that on one of the first few pages on this thread. No need to be a VIP to do that.

[CindyM]

Thanks! I will go to the front right now! I should have looked first!

[CindyM]

Testing to see if link worked!

[CindyM]

I am soo excited it actually worked! Thanks again FSUSammy!

[kemaji]

Updated to here.

Welcome yanekie25!

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies,

Just stopping by. I'm on CD 11 (according to my paper chart) and CD 12 according to both Ovusoft and FF. Temps are still higher than they have ever been which is a great sign that maybe my body is regulating...Finally!!!

So I'm just waiting for the temps to take a downward turn. Hopefully this cycle the day I go below my CL will be the day AF shows! Regardless I'll be starting Vitex on CD 1 whenever my next cycle starts.

Sam

[motray36]

Welcome yanekie!

Clattercote - no temp yesterday (or today for that matter) - i woke up about 15 times the hour before I temped, went to the bathroom, had a glass of water...all the normal "not ok" things to do.

I've had a few supposedly annov cycles before, plus the fluctuation LP -anyway to "fix" this prior to TTC?

[FSUSammy]

motray36 - Try looking into the herb Vitex. I read about it on some boards when I was looking into something that would help with my irregular cycles. I will start taking it on CD1 next cycle (hopefully in a few days) so we'll see. I really want my cycles to get more regular before we start TTC in September.

[Clattercote]

motray - There's lots of causes for annov cycles - mine happen usually when I'm ultra-stressed - so if that's potentially a problem, you might see if there's a way to reduce it. If you've got a history of short LPs, it would be good to get a doc's advice on that (low progesterone, estrogen dominance, etc can be problems there) - otherwise, yeah - try some supplements like Sam says and see if that helps.

[FSUSammy]

Good Morning ladies. Had a HUGE temp dip this morning (97.3). According to my paper chart my temp went below my CL. I think with FF and Ovusoft it lies just on the coverline, can't see my charts from work. I'm feeling bloated and kinda crampy so we'll see if AF shows up today. Crossing my fingers that she does! I love being able to predict the exact day she arrives.

Sam

[motray36]

Thanks! I will check out the Vitex. I merged the last two cycles, which includes my temp this morning (97.0). Would you advise that I override FF and make it annov?

[FSUSammy]

motray36 - I probably would override it. That way in the future when you look back you can clearly see that it was anovulatory.

[Clattercote]

Motray - I'd just make it annov. I think one of my annov cycles is still posted at FF so you can see it - it looks a whole lot like yours.

[akacharlotte]

UGH!!!!

My cycle has been wacky this month and last weekend I never temped because I was on vacation and consuming alcohol so I figured what is the point. Probably a huge mistake.

I'm CD 36 and I had a temp rise this morning of .4. I haven't checked CM because I wanted gravity to do some work this morning so I won't have to second quess myself.

If I am ovulating we may have an oops. We DTD without any protection Tuesday night.

I guess it is just a wait and see thing. I'm not sure what to think. I assumed(most likely incorrectly) that I did not ovulate this cycle.

ETA-Just went to the bathroom and checked. It appears creamy to me and not stretchy. I'll check again at home when I have better manuverability than here at work.

[FSUSammy]

akacharlotte - Don't stress out too much just yet. The temp rise this morning could be a false rise. See if you have a few more days of high temps first. If you are going to trust charting to avoid then you need to follow the rules, I hate to sound like your mother but that's why the rules are there.

Hopefully this is a false alarm.

[Clattercote]

akacharlotte - Definitely a wait 'n see thing - there's just not enough info yet.

[akacharlotte]

akacharlotte - Definitely a wait 'n see thing - there's just not enough info yet.

Yep. :)

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. AF didn't show up yesterday and what's weird is today's temp shot back up over the CL. Starting to remind me of my last cycle!!!! I have major cramps and I'm bloated and cranky. I hate not knowing when AF is coming.

Sam

[akacharlotte]

Sammy Do you normally get cramps prior to AF? Mine arrive just after AF starts. Hopefully, she arrives today at some point.

That's weird about your temp shooting back up.

Question My CM this morning was pretty much non-existent but when I checked internally my finger was shiny but there was nothing visible. Would this be considered dry CM? I marked it as such after viewing TCOYF. TIA!

[FSUSammy]

akacharlotte - Ever since going off BCPs I have gotten cramps before AF and of course the continue until after the entire first day when she starts. UGH!!

As for your CM question, I'd wait to check your CM till the afternoon, give gravity a chance to force it down. If it is still shiny but not sticky or anything then yeah I'd consider it dry.

Sam

[akacharlotte]

akacharlotte - Ever since going off BCPs I have gotten cramps before AF and of course the continue until after the entire first day when she starts. UGH!!

As for your CM question, I'd wait to check your CM till the afternoon, give gravity a chance to force it down. If it is still shiny but not sticky or anything then yeah I'd consider it dry.

Sam

Oh my gosh. You poor thing. I would hate having cramps for that many days. I want to curl up in a ball and die when I have to deal with them for 1-2 days. I'm a wimp! ;)

I'll check CM later too. Do you find doing Kegels helps check CM? I did Kegels yesterday but I didn't find it all that helpful. :rolleyes:

[FSUSammy]

akacharlotte - No I don't do Kegels, I have noticed that everytime I go to the gym it helps work the CM down.

Sam

[akacharlotte]

akacharlotte - No I don't do Kegels, I have noticed that everytime I go to the gym it helps work the CM down.

Sam
The gym? What's that? ;)

[yanekie25]

I started charting yesterday. Of course, it was a surprise, so I took my temp at work, so I figured it was wrong. It was 97.3. Then, this morning I took it when I woke up, I feel asleep without the covers so I was a bit cold it was 97.3, so I went under to covers and went back to sleep and took it again after about 2 hours and it was 97.8. I put the latter.

I am kinda confused a bit, but figure I should get a whole cycle done first to really know. Thanks for letting me share.

[LeslieandPaul]

I started charting yesterday. Of course, it was a surprise, so I took my temp at work, so I figured it was wrong..

I take it this means AF arrived. In that case, don't worry to much about your temps right now, but within the next couple of days try to starting taking your temp at a regular time.

[FSUSammy]

yanekie25 - Ditto what Leslie said. Normally during your period your temps will be all kinds of wacky. Definitely start getting in the habit of taking it at the same time every day and eventually you'll start noticing patterns.

Sam

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. Guess what? Today is CD 1 !!!! LOL I can't believe I'm happy. I don't understand...my temp went above the CL today, not below though??? Maybe its a fluke.

Well tonight I will begin taking Vitex for this cycle. Hopefully this cycle will be more regular than this last one!

Sam

[tlew12778]

yanekie - regardless of your sleeping conditions (no Pjs, no covers, etc), always take your temp at the same time everyday, then just make a note of any conditions that could affect your temp. If you temp at different times you will just have to adjust them back to your standard time in order to interpret your chart, which just leaves more room for error since not everyone can use the standard rule of .1F for every half hour.

[Clattercote]

Yanekie - Ditto what Tiffany said

And, Tiffany - I LOVE your wedding pic avatar!

ETA: Sam - Some times temps stay high for a couple days after the beginning of the cycle and then dip. You should see a dip in the next 2-3 days though, I'd think. If you don't, then the AF you see now isn't really AF.

[yanekie25]

Thanks ladies. I am trying to get to consistent time since my sleeping habits can get irregular. I realize that is most important. You were right, AF arrived. Baby steps I guess, Baby steps.

[tlew12778]

Thanks :)

[akacharlotte]

I had a slight touch of food poisoning last night. I ate some bologna that while it didn't smell bad didn ot agree with me. I woke up about midnight and puked twice.

My temp this morning was 97.9 up from 97.7 yesterday.

Is it possible the puking episode raised my temp or am I seeing a shift here? I felt fine this morning. I haven't been ill since 12:30am.

Thoughts?

[tlew12778]

Could be a shift, could be the sickness... only 2 more temps will tell. I have had food posoining various times and it's never done anything to my temps.

[akacharlotte]

Could be a shift, could be the sickness... only 2 more temps will tell. I have had food posoining various times and it's never done anything to my temps.

Good to know. I'm impatient. I hate the waiting game. :o

[raven077]

tlew, love the avatar too! You look beautiful and it looks like it was a gorgeous day. Wish it was bigger to see more! :) (and I promise I'm not trying to be a copykat.. I changed mine the last nite in a fit of boredom and only saw yours today!)

Edit to say that I went and took a peek at your LJ and man.. gorgeous dress... you were a beautiful bride.. kinda makes me misty. (imagine me waving my hands in front of my eyes trying to dry them)

[Janey]

Tiffany & Raven - I LOVE your new avatars! :D So romantic.

[tlew12778]

Thanks everyone :). I can't wait to get the pro pics back!

Hm... I just mass entried all my data from while I was on HM and um... well I hope we don't have any surprises in 9 months :eek:. My temps are all messed up bc I had to temp at off hours (like 5:30 in the morning bc that's when you have to get up to go on a safari!) then of course some days I missed temping entirely bc of travel, plus I am still on anti-malarials...

But I am sure I o'ed somewhere around CD19... that'd put me at 12DPO... so I hope my temp takes a dive tomorrow bc I have never had a LP longer than 13 days...

[Janey]

We had to wait 2 months for my pro pics. :/ Our photographer's wife had a baby not a week after we got married, so he was a little busy... but then i started getting antsy because we were bumping up against Christmas, and I wanted to make Presents out of the photos for the 'rents.

I'm about 2 days from graduating from this thread, and it's freakin' me out. But in a good way.

'Course what that also means is that I'll very likely be on my period during our mini-vacation to Florida. :mad: Is it wrong of me to hope for a shorter leuteal phase this month?? ;)

[tlew12778]

Wow 2 days! That's awesome. Congrats! I though you guys were waiting until June but I guess we're close enough right?

And no, I know what you mean about wishing for a shorter luteal phase. I was in the same position the month before the wedding hoping that I could O a fwe days before the wedding, but alas it was not to be. Then I was hoping I would O late, but not so either! Oh well.

Oh yeah, and our photographer said 2-3 months, maybe even 4! They only shoot film hence the long delivery time.

[kemaji]

MrsHill -- I was just having the "freaked out" conversation in my own journal, even though we still have a ways to go until TTC. My friends are beginning to have babies and some just had their first 3 weeks ago. It is becomming a little more than an abstract thing for me and that is what is freaking me out. I can't believe you're 'graduating' in just a couple days! That is so exciting.

[TheMarieke]

My post-O temps were really high this month and it's kinda wierd (one day was 99.1 - that's practically a fever!!). I've been kinda stressed lately and haven't been sleeping well, but this is just wierd. It almost looked tri-phasic, but there's NO possible way that could be!! Unless there's another immaculate conception LOL! Plus, my temp dived this morning - although I also took my temp earlier.

If I get AF earlier the next couple cycles, I won't get AF the week of the wedding!! (Currently, I should be getting AF the Wed before - at least it's not day-of, but still! - and then scheduled to O the day we leave for HI the Fri following the wedding).

[southerner]

bye MrsHill!! Come back and let us know when you get your BFP!

[Janey]

Tiffany - It's not so much the month we begin to TTC, but when the baby makes his or her appearance that is driving our decision. We have so many birthdays right around the major winter holidays that we didn't want to add another one. Because of that, we are hoping for a March-Or-Later baby.

My cycles aren't really helping me with nice, solid, middle-of-the-month due date. :rolleyes: I will likely be ovulating on June 2. I was playing around with this due date calculator (http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/eddc.htm), and found that if by some miracle we actually conceived on our first month, I would have a due date of 2/23. Everybody in our family goes late, which means that I'd be more likely to go late than early... so that's close enough to March-Or-Later for me.

(aside from all of that, I'm tired of the freakin' condoms)


Kemaji - I hear you on other peoples' babies making it more of a reality for you. I had that experience just yesterday, in fact. Thursdays are the days that I go over and help my cousin take care of her two babies. The 9 month old was crawling on me, mauling me ... grabbing my face/nose, and I was just sort of leaning back on the sofa letting him do it, thinking, "I can't wait to have one of you."

Then later, I was feeding him and all of a sudden he was screaming, making a mouth shaped like this (ignore the rest of the facial expression; just look at the mouth):

http://www.rubypersson.com/peanuts/lucy_hallmark_pic_2.jpg

... and it didn't freak me out and make me not want a baby. All it made me do was think, "Hmm. You have a Peanuts mouth!" and try to solve whatever problem he was having (mostly -- he was overly hungry).

[akacharlotte]

How would you view this type of CM?

Creamy and white and it pulled apart a little when I stretched my fingers? Would you note that as creamy or EWCM?

TIA!

[FSUSammy]

akacharlotte - When you said it pulled apart, do you mean it stretched? If it stretched consider it EWCM. Creamy for me is always something that is very lotiony.

Sam

[Clattercote]

Did it have peaks when you pulled your fingers apart? If so, I'd call it creamy - If it was stretchy - like you could stretch your fingers for a good bit before it sprang back, I'd call it EWCM.

[akacharlotte]

Did it have peaks when you pulled your fingers apart? If so, I'd call it creamy - If it was stretchy - like you could stretch your fingers for a good bit before it sprang back, I'd call it EWCM.

Yes, there were peaks. Thank you.

Sammy It was kind of lotion-y too but I was torn between creamy and EWCM due to the stretchy aspect. When I rubbed my fingers together though it sort of rubbed in like lotion.

Thanks ladies! You are the best! :)

[SQ2]

When you edit Preferences, under the Cervical Fluid tab, do you guys check, or uncheck this box:

Override a fertile calculation by the Dry Day Rule when day counting reveals that I am probably infertile: Normally, the appearance of cervical fluid indicates the return of fertility. However, because it is a subject interpretation and can be confused with things such as seminal residue, TCOYF can override such an interpretation if an analysis of prior cycles indicates that it is unlikely that you are fertile.
I just changed it to be unchecked because I'm starting to have sticky and creamy CM. Based on my past history, if I check that box, Ovusoft thinks I'm probably not fertile. So I changed it and it drew a really low coverline and said I'm possibly fertile.

What do you think I should do? Keep it unchecked or check it again?

[tlew12778]

I can't chime in on the OS discussion bc I don't use it. Sorry :(.

But yippee! for me! AF arrived so no surprises in 9 months. Woohoo. I'm still shocked that 1) I did not have a delayed O despite all the wedding craziness and 2) I had a 14 day LP. I have never had a 14 day LP, not even with supplements. Anyway I think I will get a diaphragm at my next appt (around the end of the month). Normally we are much, much more careful but well, with me being unemployed right now, we cannot have any oopses bc I would not be able to get a job if I were pregnant. Maternity leave in Italy is 12 months so no one hires you if they know you are about to leave them for a year.

[FSUSammy]

akacharlotte - Since you are trying to avoid I'd mark it as the most fertile it could be. No harm in marking it as EWCM if it technically wasn't, ya know what I mean?

SQ2 - I think I had to change that on mine for my last cycle, because ovusoft wasn't ever showing an O. I'd keep it unchecked for now and see how it compares to your paper chart for the next week or so.

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. I might be moving on to Seeing What Happens. We were going to officially start TTC in September but I the topic came up over the weekend and I told DH that if he was ok we could see what happens and not try to avoid. He didn't seem very opposed to the idea. I guess we'll see once I'm fertile this cycle what his attitude to the idea of him being a daddy is. For now I will stick around on this board.

Sam

[SQ2]

FSUSammy ~ I don't keep a paper chart (am I the only one that doesn't do this? :confused: ). Congrats on moving to SWH! That's exciting. We're starting in September and I'm so impatient. :p

* * *

Anyone else care to weigh in on my Ovusoft question? Thanks, ladies!

[tlew12778]

I don't keep a paper chart. The only time I wrote down my temps was on HM bc I didn't have access to a computer. It was a big PITB if you ask me bc then I had to come back and mass-entry the data.

[FSUSammy]

SQ2 - Well if you don't keep a paper chart then interpret your Ovusoft chart the best that you can with the new change. Disregard the CL for now and once you know you've O'd then you can confirm whether or not this change was the right change for you to have made with the Software.

[SQ2]

FSUSammy - I un-checked the box for now and it got rid of my cover line. I think I'll just leave it like that and see what happens with my temps and CM. Thanks! :)

tlew - That's what I do when I'm traveling too. Congrats on your marriage, BTW! Love the new avatar. You guys look so happy! :D

[Janey]

SQ2 - I leave the box checked and let OS just do its thing.

Today is CD1 for me, so Threadmistress, I'm officially moving on to TTC. Please remove me from the roster. I'll be sure to come back and tell you all if/when I get the little chicken icon on my chart. :)

I wanted to tell you all how much I've appreciated this thread. Sincerely -- especially Clattercote, Tlew, and Kemaji -- you guys made this process SO much easier & more enjoyable. Without you I would've been scared and frustrated. Thank you for being here and answering all the millions of questions. It means a lot!!

[motray36]

MrsHill - we are going to miss you! Congratulations and good luck over in TTC world...don't forget to update us!!!!!

[kemaji]

MrsHill -- Awww, thanks! Congratulations and good luck TTC!

Updated to here.

[tashaw6]

Wow! Congrats MrsHill! I am jealous! :)

[Clattercote]

MrsHill- Congrats and I hope the wait isn't too long!!!

[FSUSammy]

MrsHill Good Luck!! Definitely let us know when you have that lil chickie on your chart. Hopefully the wait will be short and sweet.

Sam

[dpangel33]

Congrats MrsHill, and good luck!!!

[kissmary]

Good luck MrsHill!!!

[raven077]

Yay MrsHill! Thanks for all your input and good luck! :D

[dana92504]

need a quick opinion - do ya'll think i O'd on CD10 or CD14??? it looks to me like CD10 but for some reason FF just moved it to 14.....:confused:

[kemaji]

dana -- I definitely don't think you O'd on CD10 because of all the fertile quality CM that starts on CD10. CD14 is a better candidate, however even then, you have fertile CM on CD19 and 20 which corresponds with another temp jump. Because of the two missing days, it is hard to say for certain, though.

[Clattercote]

Dana - Ditto Kemaji - you're right that on CD 10, the temp shifts, BUT there's no corresponding CM dry up. Instead, the CM gets wetter, and that's a sign that the temp rise on CD 10 did not indicate O. AND I'm very suspicious of FF's CD14 date, since there's fertile quality CM after that, and you have a much more noticeable temp shift around CD 19-21. Plus, the temps following CD 14 drop back below FF's coverline more than once - which is always suspicious. What you want is sustained temps above the CL, and that just isn't there after FF's proposed O date - which is probably why FF drew dotted crosshairs. I'd look for an O date more around yesterday or today - unfortunately, you'll have to start the high temp count today - so if you see 2 more days after today of high temps along with continued dry up, then I'd say you're good to UDD.

ETA: Just looked at your other chart on the page too, and I think FF's wrong there as well. Definitely make sure that wet quality CM is drying up whenever there's a temp shift.

[kemaji]

Clatter, you said it way better than I ever could. I'm just going to follow you around and say ITA to everything you say. :)

[Clattercote]

Kemaji - Aw, thanks - but I was really just bouncing my reply off of yours - I don't think I could have written anything if you hadn't already replied yourself ;)

[JubileeDawning]

Well, I think I've almost made it successfully through my first charting cycle. I have a massive headache and slight spotting today, so chances are AF is right around the corner. My chart seems to be wacky though, with temps all over the place and random patches of EWCM- is this just an effect of the first month off the pill? I'm not too concerned about it, I know these things happen- this cycle seemed to be annov (and I'm also extemely stressed with a tight schedule at the end of the semester :eek: ). I'll try to update my chart on FF and post a link to get the best interpretation from you experts...:D

MrsHill- a little late, but congratulations and best of luck to you!

I'm going to go finish writing this paper- the last one of the semester and it's about to kill me. When it's done though, that'll be one less thing to worry about!

Thanks girls.

[FSUSammy]

JubileeDawning - Everyone reacts differently when they come of the pill. My temps my first cycle were all wacky! My first cycle was annov too, you should be able to see mine if you click on my ovusoft link and select the dropdown for cycle #1. In time your body will get back to what it thinks normal should be.

Sam

[juliemag]

Threadmistress: Can you change DH's age to 27? Thank you! :D

Oh, and I meant to ask FSUSammy - did you go to FSU? If so, *waves* to my fello 'Nole! :D

Everything's good here... just figuring out when I'm going to O - it's all pretty confusing to me. I'm on CD 9, with not much CM, so I think I'm ok.

[kemaji]

Updated to here.

[FSUSammy]

juliemag - Yup DH and I are FSU alums. Are you in South Florida???

Sam

[tashaw6]

Huh? Can a cycle really be this long??

Whacked out chart!! (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/11d1cf)

[tlew12778]

Yes it can... I'm not buying that O though... what are all the open circles? It looks more anov to me.

[tashaw6]

The open circles are probably my differing times...since the move to England my sleep patterns have been whackso I have been waking later or earlier and hence taking temps at different times!

I think something is really going wrong with my hormones too as my face has just broken out with the most weird pimples...if I can call them that! They feel like huge bulbs under my skin! I am actually feeling so self concious about them and have no idea what to do about it! That was the main reason I was on BCP in the first palce...to get rid of the spots I got. These however aren't spots...those I could at least handle!

Also AF hasn't come yet so I am definitely thinking anov too! :(

[tlew12778]

Well... basically if you don't get AF by like CD99 I would go to the dr... I actually went before that bc I broke out and I NEVER break out. I mean, it was so bad I thought I had like mumps or rubella or something. I didn't even want to leave the house. So I went to the dr and she said acne... then she asked if I had ovarian cysts! Anyway to make a long story short, that is how I was diagnosed with PCOS... it all started with the acne and a long cycle. But I had also been off BCP for 8 months by then and my cycles were very regular before that. I am sure that your hormones are still regulating themselves, plus, with the stress of moving and your BIL situation, I can definitely see why your body would be reacting this way.

[juliemag]

juliemag - Yup DH and I are FSU alums. Are you in South Florida???

Sam

Cool! I graduated in 2001. Yes, I'm in S. Florida. You too?

[FSUSammy]

tashaw6 - As tlew12778 said its perfectly normal. I had one cycle that was 50 days long. Luckily that has been my longest. Your temps are all over the place. There could possibly be O but since you haven't been consistently taking your temps at the same time everyday then its really hard to be 100% sure if there is a shift. As for the pimples. I have noticed that after I O I get nasty pimples. I used to NEVER break out. People would be jealous of my complexion, but now, man these things are awful and always grow in the MOST obvious of spots!!!

SAm

[FSUSammy]

juliemag - I just private messaged you. I figured it would be stupid to keep carrying on our own side conversation on this thread.

[stevesbabygirl]

Please tell me this doesn't look triphasic:
http://www.ovusoft.com/forum/chart.asp?id=stevesbabygirl

My cycles have been 28 days exactly, but I have had spotting on CD28 for the last 3 cycles. But today, I have none. Does anyone think I have reason to be concerned?

[motray36]

stevesbabygirl Were the two DTDs UDD? Just trying to get a better sense for what I'm looking at - Im not used to Ovusoft!

[Clattercote]

tawshaw6 - Sadly, it is possible to have a cycle that long, and even longer. I once had one that was 180 days with BTB in the middle. It was totally stress.

QOTD - On a related note, I'm curious - what are y'all's shortest and longest cycles? And do you have a sense of why they were so short and long? (Apologies in advance if we've done this really recently - my brain can't remember things now that it's the end of the semester!)

My longest was 180 days, due to stress I think, because I was working as an on-call chaplain back then, and dealing with death every single day, plus random wacky sleeping hours. Grrr. Shortest: 19 days, a year ago. Also stress, I think - I had just finished planning my wedding! The cycle was annovulatory, but unfortunately that one short cycle means we can't UDD past CD 3 until a year has passed - to be on the safe side. Grrr again.

Stevesbabygirl - I don't see anything triphasic there, yet - I think this is a wait and see - your LP as of yesterday is still only 12 days, and the temp shift started out a bit weakly (note the dip a couple days after the rise) - Sometimes cycles are just a bit longer or shorter, even though you have a usual length. I chalk it up to different nutrition, or different stuff that your body reacts to (like molds and pollen this time of year). So don't panic yet - what did this morning's temp bring?

[tlew12778]

Longest was 70 days... that was due to PCOS and AF was eventually induced with progesterone.

Shortest was 25 days but that was a BCP cycle when I was taking a 2 month break from charting bc of the PCOS.

For "normal" cycles:

Longest was 38 days... which was this past March actually. I don't know why I had delayed O (CD25) - probably due to wedding stress.

Shortest was 27 days which was my second month off BCP.

It's important to note though that my average O is somewhere btwn CD17-CD23... so later than for most folks and therefore my cycles are not 28 days but more like 29-35 days with an LP around 12-13 days.

ETA: I didn't know about that one year rule! Hm... so that changes the Doerhing rule for me then... yay!

[FSUSammy]

Longest was 50 days I believe that was due to us traveling to Vegas right before I was supposed to O. So the change in time zone totally messed me up.

Shortest was maybe 32? Don't know why it was that short, it was my 2nd cycle off the pill so my body was still regulating.

[Clattercote]

Tiffany - Yeah, I've heard different things about whether to wait one year or two - Most people say not to base anything on charts older than two years, and many I know say just to wait a year. But I'm also pretty comfortable with just waiting a year anyway - I think that if the charts are looking relatively consistent(and keeping in mind the rule about "all rules are off limits if CM is present") I'm good to go -

[CindyM]

So I am still going on my first cycle - I think I might of Oed but I don't really know because my temps are so wacky.

Everyone was right about the first cycles off BCP being crazy. However, I have felt very bloated and constipated lately - wonder if that has anything to do with the BCP. Wish I could answer more questions but I am still learning myself.

Also, congratulations to MrsHill to graduating to TTC!

[tlew12778]

Yeah, I was actually thinking how it's rather incorrect to base Doerhing on any cycles that are newly post-BCP. They're so wacky to begin with that they shouldn't really count IMO. But I looked at my charts again and sadly I do have a CD17 O this year so it's still CD10 for me. Not like I'm complaining though... that's a lot longer than most girls get to begin with.

[Clattercote]

Tiffany - Yeah, good point - it seems like there should be some sort of guideline about that - that after, say, the first 3 cycles off BCP, that's when you begin the count for the Doering rule or the 21 day rule or whichever one you want to use.

CindyM - I don't think you've O'ed yet - at the moment, this looks like a typical post-BCP chart - temps all over the place and CM showing up in starts and spurts. Not to worry - your body will regulate itself out over time -

[tashaw6]

Well AF came today! Thanks girls for all the advice! I was really stressing there! I guess I have had a rough last month or so, moved countries, travelled between countries for holidays, stress from BIL, stress from work etc etc! Good that AF eventally came though! And my LP looks more reasonable this month right?

Tiffany, before I went on BCP I also had this break out problem so I went to a dermatologist. He then said I should go to a gynie to get my ovaries checked out for cycsts. He said all was ok. That was a year and a half ago, can something have changed in between?

[stevesbabygirl]

motray, they were protected; I think I'm just being paranoid :p.

clattercote, thanks!

[motray36]

stevesbabygirl - I agree that its wait-and-see. Frustrating!

A friend of mine who does not chart has been ttc for about a year and went to a doc about using opk's and possibly going on clomid. The doc wants her to come in 3-5 days after AF stops to get some sort of ovulation test done, because he thinks she might be o'ing 3-5 days after AF stops, which would be somewhere between CD8-10. She has 25-35 day cycles. Is it really likely that she's o'ing that early? it seemed really off to me, but i wanted to check with you guys and see what you thought. thanks!

[tlew12778]

Tasha - Probably not. Like I said, I never had acne pre-BCP or while on it, then I got it really bad when I went off. My GP says the 8 years of BCP probably made my ovaries lazy which lead to the PCOS. I went on the BCP for 2 months then off it and ever since then I've been back to normal (knock on wood). Since AF came I am sure you're in the clear.

Motray - If your friend has 25-35 days cycles, and an average LP is 12-14 days, that means she is probaby o'ing btwn CD11 and CD24... How long is her AF? If her AF is a week then she might be o'ing 4-5 days later. The dr. probably wants to check her LH:FSH ratio as well as her progesterone levels. If she has already O'ed at the time they do the test, her progesterone levels will be high. Is your friend not interested in charting? It seems like it would be a much easier way to confirm her O and to know when to BD.

[kemaji]

I just got back from my annual with a new gyn today. This is my first male gyn that I've ever been to and I was actually mildly surprised at how not uncomfortable I was. I don't want to say comfortable because who is ever 'comfortable' at an appoinment like that.

I brought the past year of my charts and he took the time to look at them, he listened to me and he was actually willing to discuss them. His one comment that surprised me was that he doesn't like it when his patients who are TTC chart because taking your temperature first thing in the morning reminds you that you're not pg and he thinks that can be an added stress. It's an interesting perspective and one that I'm sure is valid if you're having trouble for one reason or another, but I don't think I will ever be able to not be aware of my cycle and what is going on.

All in all, it was a good experience.

[kemaji]

My longest cycle was my first off BC and it was 30 days.

My shortest have been 23 days. I think I've had two 24 day cycles in the past year. I honestly don't know for certain why that cycle was so short. I O'd early for me and I think I wasn't feeling great for parts of it.

[tashaw6]

Ooo, I forgot to answer the question.

Longest cycle this last one of 52 days,
shortest was 23 (less than half of this last one...haha)

[JubileeDawning]

My longest (and only so far!) cycle was 30 days!

Ughh.. I forgot what AF was like off the pill. :eek: Not having so much fun over here. Neither is DH... we were supposed to have a date night tonight and AF ruined the fun at the end of the evening...:(

Oh well. There will be others. And I think I did O this past cycle. I'm impressed. :D

[AHammer]

My longest (and only so far!) cycle was 30 days!

Ughh.. I forgot what AF was like off the pill. :eek: Not having so much fun over here. Neither is DH... we were supposed to have a date night tonight and AF ruined the fun at the end of the evening...:(

Oh well. There will be others. And I think I did O this past cycle. I'm impressed. :D

Hey! I think I missed you joining us, welcome! I feel your pain, I'm still getting re-used to AF off teh pill. Even though I was only on the pill for 9 months, I SO got used to how nice and easy and painless they were.

-------

FF put some tickmarks on my chart today. yeah, i've had a little elevation, but there's no way I've O'd. At least, dear God, I hope I haven't! We UDD 2 days before what FF is saying right now. But it's saying I O'd on CD9 and I've never O'd before CD23 before. I think that's a little crazy. I guess just seeing the marks on there has freaked me out!!

--------

longest cycle is 40
shortest cycle is 32

[Clattercote]

AHammer - I guess O wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility - it does look like there's temp elevation there - but it is suspicious when there isn't any fertile CM also present. Would there be any possible reason (beside O) your temp is higher than normal lately? I think this is, as usual, a wait-n-see thing; it'll be good to see what the temps do over the next couple days - and also what you see in your CM. ETA: I wouldn't get too worried just yet - sometimes our bodies just do odd things.

[AHammer]

AHammer - I guess O wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility - it does look like there's temp elevation there - but it is suspicious when there isn't any fertile CM also present. Would there be any possible reason (beside O) your temp is higher than normal lately? I think this is, as usual, a wait-n-see thing; it'll be good to see what the temps do over the next couple days - and also what you see in your CM. ETA: I wouldn't get too worried just yet - sometimes our bodies just do odd things.

Hey! First off, you're right. I've had zero fertile CM. Also, looking at my old charts (I wish I could have more than one on my page), 97.8 and below is my normal pre-O temperature range. I think it's just cause there was that 97.3 and 96.9 in there, it's throwing it off looking like I've had a jump. I think you're right that my body's just being odd. Thanks!

[Clattercote]

AHammer - Oh, good call - I hadn't thought to look at pre and post O temps!

[clzj]

Still TTC's
shortest: 26 days
longest:39 days and that was after a late term pg loss

My cycles are 28-30 generally

[CindyM]

My longest (and only) cycle is 26 days. I have no idea whether or not I ovulated this cycle or not but at least it is over - Here's to hoping the next cycle is clearer.

Also, hopefully it will be gone by this weekend (we are going camping)

[motray36]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the input on my TTC friend....she called me this morning to let me know that she POAS yesterday and she's pg!

My shortest cycle was 32, longest 2 were 45.

[AHammer]

My longest (and only) cycle is 26 days. I have no idea whether or not I ovulated this cycle or not but at least it is over - Here's to hoping the next cycle is clearer.

Also, hopefully it will be gone by this weekend (we are going camping)


Hey if you're a regular camper, I really recommend the DivaCup!!! www.divacup.com

Since you only have to worry about it every 12 hours, it's a camping girl's dream come true! (for me at least) :-D

[raven077]

AHammer... Interesting for that DivaCup! Is it something you use on a regular basis or just for camping? It interests me for the enviromental impact as well. Years ago I switched to OB tampons so I wasn't throwing away applicators anymore (though when friends bum one off me, they always freak out a little about the lack of applicator. Silly people.) and this seems pretty cool. Plus, there are far too many testimonials for them to all be made up. ;)

[Clattercote]

Raven - Even though I'm not AHammer, just wanted to say that I use the cup every month - not just for camping. I like not throwing stuff away either, and I love not having to take stuff with me to the bathroom. I do use a cloth pad as a backup on my heaviest days. Plus - it's been very cost effective - I both both the cloth pads and the cup back in the summer of 2000, so I'm going on 6 years of reusing everything - I think that puts me at spending under a buck a month for feminie hygiene products.

[tlew12778]

Here's a whole thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=4580) on the different types of mentrual cups (instead, divacup, the keeper, etc).

[CindyM]

I might check into that but is it messy when it comes out - me and blood (yes even my own) are not friends - it just really freaks me out I feel like someone is hurt. Where we are going camping we will be in our fifth wheel so I have a bathroom and it is a full hook-up so I guess it really isn't camping. Oh well still fun.


OK back to the topic at hand, FF shows that I didn't ovulate my last cycle - I guess I didn't. I can't see any clear temp shift so I guess this one was anovulatory.

[tlew12778]

Cindy - I think that FF is saying you did not ovulate bc of the open circle on CD11. My guess is that without that high temp, it probably would say you O'ed on CD19 bc FF LOVES O-dips. I would be tempted to agree... although temp wise maybe CD17 with a fallback rise (but your CM doesn't coincide so prob. not). Basically if you O'ed, it was not a strong O. Your CL would be 98.0. Hopefully this cycle will be clearer.

[raven077]

Clattercote and tlew, thanks for the info!

[CindyM]

tlew12778 - Thanks for your help! I am truly hoping that the next cycle is clearer - I must make myself wake up early on the weekends as well so that it will maybe be clearer.

As for the 1st AF off BC, OH MY GOD - my cramps are horrible(they are so bad they are making me dizzy) and flow is extremely heavy - had to go get bigger tampons at lunch:eek:

Oh well at least I am hormone free!:D

[FSUSammy]

CindyM - Definitely looks anovulatory but its so hard to tell with some of those low temps. I totally agree with tlew. As for the cramps. Tell me about it!!! I had to resort to buying a huge bottle of midol at costco to keep on hand for when I get my cramps. If your cramps get really bad try this home remedy (passed down from my dear grandma). In a tea pot boil some hot water with a cinnamon stick. Pour into a mug with a teaspoon of honey. Drink while its hot. It will make you sweat like crazy but I swear you will feel so much better afterwards. Hope you feel better.

Sam

[CindyM]

Sam - I will have to try that tonight. I bought the biggest bottle of Midol I could find at Wal-Mart yesterday!:eek:

[Clattercote]

Re: Cramps - If nothing else works, or even if it does, you might try taking some calcium. I used to get horrible low back cramps (as in, couldn't- walk -at- all -because- my- back -muscles- wouldn't -support -me cramps) and my GYN wanted to put me on BCP for them and I kept refusing (mostly because if I had, they would have made me also take a stupid time wasting class about birth control, and I felt that I knew quite a bit already, anyway - thanks to TCOYF) - ANYWAY, finally one day one of the nurses said, "well, I suppose you could try calcium - it helps a lot of our patients." I was mad she'd waited to tell me, but tried it - worked very well for me - might work for others...

[FSUSammy]

Clattercote - Regarding the calcium. Do you take supplements daily or just before AF? What dosage do you take??

Sam

[Clattercote]

Sam - I started out just taking one of those calcium chewables twice a day, for the whole cycle. I phased down to one a day, and now I'm watching my calcium intake via diet. So far, so good.

[tlew12778]

Wow... no posts in 3 days!

Anyway... FF gave me cross hairs today. I am almost sure it is wrong bc I have never O'ed before CD17 and it is saying CD12 (although with fertile CM after their O so whatever). The weird thing is that my temps are in their normal post-O range so I dunno... sort of has me wondering... I still need to check CM today. It would be a total bummer bc I have a gyno appt on Wednesday and I was hoping to be right at O bc I want to be measured for a diaphragm. Anyway I forgot what booze does to your temps... raises them right? BC I've probably had more to drink over the last month than I have in my entire life :rolleyes:. Anyway I am sort of thinking that might be the culprit for the high temps.

[Clattercote]

tlew - Yeah, I think it depends on what the CM observations are today, as well - I'd be inclined to push the O date a couple more days to the right on your chart, based on the CM observations so far, and I don't see a confirmed O yet at all -

I'd suspect the alcohol too for the high temps - but I guess it depends on how much your body is usually affected by alcohol....

[stevesbabygirl]

For the past two days, I've had EWCM, and it's been dark red. Not tinged, but red through and through. I have no idea what to make of it. I'm only on CD9 right now. Any thoughts?

[Clattercote]

stevesbabygirl - It looks like from past cycles (at least the most recent past cycle) you spot mid cycle around O - and I guess that's what I'd suspect here - that would make for an earlier O, perhaps - but that's the only thing I can think of cycle wise. Sometimes we just have early Os -

This could also be a sign of some medical thing, like say uterine fibroids (the symptom of which is heavy AF and bleeding between AFs) - I'm sure a GYN would have many more thoughts than I would, so I'd say if you're concerned that this is just abnormal and couldn't possibly be mid cycle spotting, or if you start showing other symptoms, I'd take it to the medical community -

[angelraven]

I'm back and things are just as wacky as ever! Today is CD135. Yikes!

I went to the doctor last Wednesday for a follow-up. Since the metformin doesn't seem to be helping and my labs were all normal, she is questioning my previous diagnosis of PCOS. The cyst I had is now gone, which tells her that it was just a normal cyst that fixed itself, not caused by PCOS.

However, this still doesn't explain the lack of AF, so she now thinks it is a hormone defficiency, probably progestrone. Therefore, for the next three months, I will do 3 10-day cycles of Provera to bring about AF. I'll start the first cycle on June 1st. If the first one doesn't work, I have to call her, as this suggests an estrogen defficiency instead of progestrone.

It's so frustrating to not really know what the heck is going on, but if it is a progestrone defficiency, it seems like that will be easier to deal with than PCOS. It's another wait and see game, but I'm so glad to have an aggressive doctor. She said when we're ready to start TTC, she will not make us try for a specific amount of time; we'll go straight to a specialist.

Charting can be so empowering, but it can also be so confusing. Especially when your body does not want to cooperate!!!

Hope everyone had a glorious long weekend! :)

I haven't been temping since NOTHING has been happening, but I need to get back in the habit so I can monitor what happens when I'm on the Provera.

[stevesbabygirl]

Clattercote, thanks :D! I always love how informed you are! I did have surgery for endometriosis, so perhaps it's that, coming back now that I'm no longer taking BCPs.

[Clattercote]

angelraven - Sounds like your doc is doing well probing all the options - I'm sorry your body isn't cooperating - 135 days is REALLY long! But here's hoping that the hormone therapy works :-)

stevesbabygirl - Could be - BCPs tend to cover up existing problems and so it's possible that the endo has come back - I know there are alternatives out there for endo besides BCP but I'm not sure what those are - I think it'd be worth checking into, in any case.

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies.

Hope you've all been doing well. I figured I'd check in because my chart this cycle has been wacky. I'm on CD 21 and I'm pretty sure I haven't O'd yet. This is my first cycle taking Vitex in hopes that it will help regulate my cycle but it doesn't appear to be helping just yet. I read somewhere that it can take up to 3 months for it to really show its effects so I just need to stick with it.

Can you guys take a look at my charts?

My temps have been all over the place. One day it will go very high and the next morning it will drop drastically. On the days where it is very low I'll even take my temp again right after to make sure it wasn't a false temp and none have been. I'm definitely going to try temping vaginally next cycle, I think its too late this cycle to start.

Sam

[TheMarieke]

FF put my suspected O date as I suspect I may have had a fall back rise after O this month. My sex-drive totally spiked around O (more than usual), so I don't know if that has something to do with the longer days of EWCM. I think I O'd on CD13 or 14, not 11, because I had some major O pains the night of CD13 and some smaller ones CD14.

The open circle on CD11 was due to a slightly later temp time (I usually take my temps around 7-7:10am and I accidentally took it at 7:40).

Plus, since I was HSO on CD 13, I really don't think FF is right.

Any thoughts? I don't think I've ever had a fall-back rise, but I usually O by CD14.

I REALLY hope this cycle doesn't go late because AF is timed to be before the wedding at the moment! If it goes late, I'm gonna end up with AF right before, or possibly the day of - boo!

[TheMarieke]

Sam, I probably sound like a broken record (call me the Vaginal Temp Cheerleader, LOL!!), but I'd REALLY suggest temping vaginally. Wait for your next cycle, though, because it can make a big difference in temp range.

[akacharlotte]

Sam, I probably sound like a broken record (call me the Vaginal Temp Cheerleader, LOL!!), but I'd REALLY suggest temping vaginally. Wait for your next cycle, though, because it can make a big difference in temp range.

I'm curious about this: when temping vaginally do you temp vaginally through your period? I've considered temping vaginally for the accuracy but I don't like the idea of temping vaginally during my period. Also, how far in do you have to go? I use tampons the duration of my period until the last day or so when I only need a liner.

Well, my last cycle was crazy and my period arrived the day after I returned from vacation. FF had me O smack dab during the time we had unprotected deed doing so I don't know what to make of that chart. I'm just gonna ignore it for now since my temps so far this cycle appear back on track. Let's hope this cycle is not 42 days long. BTW, that one is my longest since charting.

I just have to say I am in awe of the knowledge in here. I don't think I will ever totally understand charting the way the ladies do in this thread. I thank you for your knowledge!

[TheMarieke]

About vaginally temping: yes, I do temp through AF because if I didn't, I wouldn't have 6 temps pre-O!! (I have a short cycle). It's actually not bad. I use tampons also, and (TMI WARNING) I usually just kinda "wipe" the tip of the therm on my pantiliner. It's not really messy, cause you only have to insert the very tip (at least for a digital therm). I think I usually end up inserting it maybe .5-1 inch? I just pull my underwear to the side, stick it in, and I don't even have to hold it, LOL! I've sometimes fallen back asleep with it in there when I'm super tired. LOL!

[tlew12778]

Sam - I don't see an O. Especially bc of your non-fertile CM. Looks like it's a wait and see game.

Marieke - I tend to agree with you on your O especially bc you have EWCM after FF's O. Personally I don't really trust CP so I won't even go there. Did you adjust the temp on CD11? If you didn't then it would be lower so that would influence your CL.

Charlotte - Not sure what to say about your last chart... but it's bi-phasic for sure... only your LP was really short. Is your LP always that short?

[Clattercote]

Sam - No O yet - I just think it's still trying to regulate itself-

TheMarieke - I'd say O around CD 14 - if it were me, I'd probably shave down those two higher temps that come in the middle of your most fertile CM (I often get a 1-2 day temp spike too, 4-5 days before O) - so I think the CL would still be around 98.3 (probably closer to 98.2). As for AF and weddings, I'm one for whom it didn't quite work - I had one annov cycle, one really short cycle and one long (for me) cycle in the three months surrounding my wedding. Only time can tell, unfortunately - but I guess you can always look into instead as a possibility?

[Clattercote]

Charlotte - I agree with Tiffany - looks biphasic to me, but the 8 day LP is short -

[akacharlotte]

Charlotte - Not sure what to say about your last chart... but it's bi-phasic for sure... only your LP was really short. Is your LP always that short?

Tiffany and ClatterThat is my shortest LP to date. April and May were crazy months as my SO's sister got married and it was run, run, run. Maybe just the high energy and fast pace of the last two months affected my cycle. My SO seems to think that maybe I had a chemical pregnancy but there is no way to know that for sure. Thanks for your input!

Marieke Thank you for the information. I may have to consider temping vaginally next cycle and see which I prefer. I'll just have to get over my ickiness factor. LOL.

[dpangel33]

Has anyone had temps stay consistantly the same for more than a few days??

I'm alternating between 97.3 & 97.5 everyday and I've checked my therm and it's not broken. I even used a 2nd therm and it reads the same temp.

This morning I temped 4 times before getting out of bed and the temp never strayed from 97.3. So after I got ready for work I re-temped just to check it again and my temp dropped to 96.8.

Isn't your temp suppose to rise after you've woken up??

[akacharlotte]

That happens to me often. This week I believe I've hovered between 97.0 and 97.2 kind of alternating back and forth with two exceptions. This seems to be normal for me. My temps don't fluctuate too much except for last month but we won't count that one. :)

[tlew12778]

I always hover around the same temps. They're normally 36.2-36.3... sometimes 36.1 pre-O then always 36.4-36.6 post-O.

[kissmary]

My temps have been pretty consisten the past week, since I am about to O, hovering around 97.5-97.6. Chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/112767).

I've had my temps go down after I've gotten up. Maybe you had something to drink, or you were breathing through your mouth, dpangel.

[TheMarieke]

Clattercote, other than making my chart nice and neat, is there some particular reason I would shave down the temps on CD 24 and 25? I took them at the same time each day...

[kemaji]

My temps generally stay in the same pre- and post-O ranges as well.

[motray36]

This thread is getting slow! Oh no! Let's liven it up....

QOTD: What charting abbreviation do you use in converstion as though it is an actual word? I use CM and O with my DH all the time and he still has to clarify what I'm talking about (even though we've been charting for a year and a half). And I asked my pregnant-but-didn't-know-it-yet friend if she POAS'ed...she was completely confused.

[tlew12778]

Interesting question. I actually don't use any bc I speak in Italian 95% of the time. Although, I know that if I were speaking in English I would tend to use CM and O. I mean, it's just way easier than saying "cervical mucus" and "ovulation". I'd probably also say EWCM. This is all, of course, the result of the fact that I am so used to "speaking" on the internet and therefore typing the abbreviations out. Sort of like saying PITA (which is a real word so that would be confusing actually) or POS (although, the actual long form just drives home the point better :p).

[raven077]

QOTD: What charting abbreviation do you use in conversation as though it is an actual word?

Hmm.. I don't actually use any abbrev's. Only three people know that I'm charting so I don't talk about it much with people outside of here. Though if I WERE to slip into that kind of usage, I think I would say, "O", but nothing else.

[CindyM]

QOTD: What charting abbreviation do you use in conversation as though it is an actual word?

I only use O but I always have to tell DH that it means ovulated. Like Raven077 no one except my DH, mom and sister know that I am charting.

However my mom doesn't get it she is just like well you just have to count 28 days after you have AF - and I am like no mom there is way more to it than that!:rolleyes:

[SQ2]

I'm sorry if this has been answered before. I've read the TCOYF instructions on how to temp over time zones, but I still don't really understand. Can anyone give me a quick review? We'll be traveling overseas and it will be a 7 hour time difference from home.

In other news... CD 43 and it seems like my body keeps trying to O. It may have happened yesterday. I remember reading that sometimes it takes a couple days for the progesterone to affect temps. I keep hoping my temp will jump up but so far nothing yet.

ETA ~ I thought that last month's 52 day cycle was due to stress and travel. However this month it looks like it may even be longer. Hopefully my cycles will shorten as we get closer to TTC.

[tlew12778]

When I am crossing time zone I skip the night I am flying (bc I can't sleep on planes anyway) and just temp at my normal time the next day. My temp is usually only affected for one day at most. Sometimes not even.

But, TCOYF basically says that you should adjust 15 min each day. For a 7 hour difference that would mean initiating the change like a month in advance I think (7 hours, 4 days per hour... 28 days right?). Maybe it says 30 mins per day but that'd still be 14 days which is just a PITA if you ask me.

As for as the progesterone taking a while to kick in, that is what happens with a slow rise. I don't see an O on your chart but only 2 more temps will tell.

[SQ2]

Guess I haven't been adjusting my temp time as I should have been. Oh well. What's the best thing to do at this point? Maybe wait a few days for my body to adjust once we get there? It's not a huge deal