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

[FSUSammy]

tlew12778 - Hmmm could very well be some cross information. I think I started my research on Vitex because I've had 2 anovulatory cycles coming off the pill and there was absolutely no sign that my body was starting to regulate itself. Maybe I'm confused because I read that it helps regulate your hormones and assumed that's what I needed.

Maybe I don't need Vitex?? Is there something else that would help jump start me? I used to have very regular 28 day cycles before the pill but I'm no where close to that.

Sam

[tlew12778]

I don't think so... I mean, nothing is going to get the residual BCP hormones out of your body faster IYKWIM. Is this your 6th month charting? How many cycles have you had total since ditching the pill? I think they say you need 3 cycles to really consider it gone but I know there have been girls in this thread who have waited a whole lot longer than that for their cycles to regulate themselves. I would stick with the vitex for the full 3 months and see if it helps. Although, are you only taking vitex? My understanding was that it should be taken with like B6, zinc, magnesium, etc, so that they all have a good comprehensive effect on regulating your cycle. Vitex only affects O.

[FSUSammy]

tlew12778 - This is my 7th month charting (wow how time flies!!). I'm pretty sure this is my 5th actual cycle. Yeah I'm just taking Vitex, plus my normal Women's one-a-day and a folic acid supplement.

[kemaji]

Sam -- I've taken Vitex in the past and I noticed a slight delay in my O by a couple of days when taking it, even before the three months were up. I'd have to go back and look to see what my CM patterns were so I can't comment on that.

[TheMarieke]

A few things...

1 - I discarded those two high temps in this cycle, and it put my O at the day I think it should be, so I guess I'll just leave those discarded. We had a heat wave around that time (and we don't have AC, since it's usually not needed - and I sleep in a loft bed - BLECH!), so I'm wondering if maybe I was really restless in my sleep or something? Does anyone else notice differences in temps during heat waves?

2 - about CM, I can tell when I have EWCM for sure, but sometimes the difference between watery and creamy is a little difficult for me to tell as well. The only thing is, I have a sticky BIP (probably due to my short cycles), so I wear a pantiliner everyday during the day (it gets too uncomfortable for me if I don't, since I'm never really "dry") - so I can't use the underpants circle/line thing.

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to chart during AF, or after the temp shift is concerned, but I can't really do that (darn short cycles!!). The times that I have, I've wished that I had kept charting because of course something wierd will happen and I'll wonder what the heck is going on....

[TheMarieke]

Sidenote: So I finally uploaded an avatar, LOL. I'm gonna try to resize one with both me and DF :)

[akacharlotte]

Hi ladies!

I'm having a pretty normal cycle so far. However, there are some strange things happening with my body. My boobs are sore. My boobs only get sore right before AF. I've also been having back cramps.

This is a new occurence for me. Anyone else have symptoms like this around O?

Also, I had a wet vaginal sensation all day yesterday and when I wiped it was real easy to slide the toilet paper but when I checked internally it was kind of lumpy like cottage cheese. I don't have a yeast infection or else I would chalk it up to that.

[raven077]

Heh.. it's funny, how we have to describe things like food. Charlotte, I've noticed CM similar to that, though for mine, I'd consider it closer to tapioca (tmi? when it has those two distinct appearances combined, like tapioca) and it usually stretches a little so I consider it EW. Though I make note on my chart that it was only a little bit and only slightly stretchy, not REAL EW...

Not sure if this is the correct assumption or if it helps at all though. :o

[akacharlotte]

Heh.. it's funny, how we have to describe things like food. Charlotte, I've noticed CM similar to that, though for mine, I'd consider it closer to tapioca (tmi? when it has those two distinct appearances combined, like tapioca) and it usually stretches a little so I consider it EW. Though I make note on my chart that it was only a little bit and only slightly stretchy, not REAL EW...

Not sure if this is the correct assumption or if it helps at all though. :o

LOL. I know but it works right? :) Ok, this is bad but I have no idea what tapioca looks like. I've never ate tapioca and I can't recall ever seeing a dish of tapioca. :) It did stretch a little. I keep expecting to have this EWCM in which I will have no doubt that it is what it is but not yet. :confused:

[Sue]

Hi ladies, this is my first cycle off BCP and it's been interesting for sure! I had been on the pill for about 15 years and wanted to stop taking the hormones :) We haven't DTD yet, my DH says he's scared now!! I guess it's hard to be comfortable after having the pill to fall back on for so long. I'm sure I'll learn a ton on this thread!

Sue: 34
DH: 36
Occupation: Inside Sales
Married:8/10/02
Started charting: 5/16/06
TTC: Oct/Nov 2006 maybe...

I do have a question on my chart, not interpreting it, because it seems pretty straightforward (at least I think so, but who knows!! It's my first one!). When I temped this morning it was 97.9 at 6:15, my usual time is 5:30. When I tried to enter it in Ovusoft, it kept changing it to 97.7 on the chart???? If I keep the 5:30 time, it'll take the 97.9, but if I change the time to 6:15, it changes the temp to 97.7. Does it take into account the time difference and adjust the temp?
My Chart (http://www.tcoyf.com/forum/chart.asp?id=misssue)

[tlew12778]

Hi Sue, welcome to the thread! Yes OS takes into account the time difference and will adjust your temp for you. I am sure you can turn off that function if you want.

[Sue]

Thanks, I figured that's what it was :) but wasn't positive.

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. I'm pretty sure this has happened to someone else on here but I thought I'd ask.

Last night (early this a.m.) we DTD using condoms since I haven't O'd yet I didn't want to take any chances (or at least DH didn't). Sorry if TMI here, when he pulled out the condom was still in me. Now it wouldn't be the end of the world if I got PG (granted I'd have to O soon) but are my chances pretty small?

Sam

[tlew12778]

Well considering the chances of getting pregnant while TTC are only 20%, with optimal timing, I would say your chances are pretty low. Plus, your CM is sticky.

In the future, he should like hold onto the condom when he pulls out so that it stays on. Jeez... never thought I would write that out...

[filmgirl7]

I'm jumping right in here, and I hope nobody minds. After having the worst pg scare of my entire life (see 2ww thread if you want to know), I would like to start charting to avoid. I'm CD1, so i want to get right on this, as I think it will take a few cycles to get the knack of it. I have a question for you experts...

-Should I join fertility friend or ovusoft, and if I join FF, do I need the VIP membership?

Please let me know what your opinion is. Thanks! Hopefully I'll be joining you!

[FSUSammy]

tlew12778 - Actually I haven't updated my online charts. My CM has been very watery lately and yesterday I had EWCM (only when checking internally though). DH tried to hold onto the condom as he pulled out, I'm wondering if it maybe fell off in the middle of all the action.

filmgirl7 - Welcome! If you use FF you don't need the VIP really. I use both just because I like having that extra assurance that what I believe is an O is and O and all. I do prefer Ovusoft though.

Sam

[tlew12778]

filmgirl - Welcome to the thread! If you look at the beginning of the thread, you'll see a discussion about the various pros and cons of both programs. Regardless, you should NEVER trust a program to do your chart analysis for you. Always ask here if you are having doubts or need help analyzing your chart. That said, I use FF bc I only use it for graphing and sharing purposes.

[akacharlotte]

My FF chart states I O'd on Wed. but I had EWCM until Friday. I read on FF that this can happen as the corpus luteum is still producing estrogen.

Any experience with this? I'm going to follow the 6 day rule before unprotected deed doing. I feel like maybe FF is wrong on my O date due to the prescence of EWCM.

Any thoughts?

[filmgirl7]

Ok, so i'm trying to get started with this since it's the first day of a brand new cycle...but i'm having trouble. On the one hand, I went to the library and got TCOYF, and I bought a basal thermometer, so i'm all ready to start. However, FF will not let me create an account, and i'm not sure I want to spend $40 on ovusoft. Maybe I should just have my DH create an excel spreadsheet with a graph.

Has anyone else had trouble with the FF website?

[dpangel33]

How is FF not letting you create an account? If you still have problems you could use paper charting until you figure out the software issues.

[filmgirl7]

Nevermind, I think it's working now.

[kissmary]

akacharlotte, I'd wait a few more days to see if your temp goes up more, and then I'd say you probably did O later than what FF says.

[ADSigMel]

I'm still around and still charting. Just haven't really had much to say. I'm pretty depressed about my charts and really looking forward to getting all set up on DH's insurance so I can go to the gyn. Last cycle was 70 days annovulatory, after a 99-day annovulatory cycle. I haven't had a confirmed O since October. So much for starting TTC later this year. At this rate, it would take us 20 years to get pregnant. Maybe this cycle will be better, but I'm not counting on it.

[akacharlotte]

Keep your chin up Mel! Hopefully, the gyn will have something positive to offer you. I would be super frustrated in your shoes as well!! I cannot fathom a 70 or 99 day cycle.

[tlew12778]

Mel - You have PCOS right? I remember you're taking supplements too -- which ones?

[motray36]

Welcome filmgirl and sue!

[raven077]

filmgirl, definitely do the paper charting. If you don't want to xerox what's in the back of the TCOYF book, you can also go to the ovusoft website (http://www.ovusoft.com/library/chartpdf.asp) and download PDFs. I bought the TCOYF book and you get a 15 day free trial of OS (which I waited to start until almost the end of cycle 1, just so I could get a clear picture of what it would look like with all my data) plus a code that brings the cost to like $29.

I rely on my paper charts for all of my notes and details, and just use the 'puter ones for back-up/confirmation. I like the fact that I can upload info from anywhere to FF, but it's very primitive (to me) compared with OS so if I'm going to pay, I'd rather pay for OS with it's bells/whistles. Which I did. :p

[akacharlotte]

akacharlotte, I'd wait a few more days to see if your temp goes up more, and then I'd say you probably did O later than what FF says.

My temp dropped today to 97.2 down from 97.9 Sunday. I'll have to give it a few more days to see what happens.

Welcome to the new ladies, filmgirl and Sue!!

[kemaji]

Updated to here.

Welcome to filmgirl and Sue!

filmgirl -- If you want to post your stats, I can go ahead and add you to our roster...

[kemaji]

Edited to remove a duplicate post.

[LeslieandPaul]

I'm on cycle day 12 and have had fairly high temps for the last 5 days, and lots of creamy CM (sorry, TMI). I usually don't o until much later than this. We've even been using a fan to keep our room cool, and I usually wake up cold in the morning, but my temp is high (and i'm not sick). What the heck is going on?!

[tlew12778]

Do you have a chart link? Have you been drinking alcohol at all? That can raise temps. Otherwise you might have just had a random early O.

[CindyM]

Well on cycle 2 and I think I might have regulated out - FF shows I Oed on CD19 - which is exactly what I thought and I had lots of EWCM - really cool to actually know what it is. And I am happy to report that my drive is back - DH is REALLY liking that aspect!:eek:

[ADSigMel]

Tiffany - I'm not sure if I have PCOS or not. I've only been tested for LSH/LH (are those the right hormones or did I just make those up in my head?) and thyroid deficiencies, and the tests all came back in the low, but normal, range. I don't know if PCOS requires different tests than those. I'll ask the doc when I go back. I'm thinking PCOS sounds like a pretty accurate diagnosis, though, because my cycles have shown me as being on the very verge of O for the past two cycles, and then it just never happened.

[Daniel's Kitty]

I thought I would warn people that there is a chance I might be pg this cycle. If you want to pull me from the roster so you don't ruin stats you can. I have not been so good at tta this month.

[tlew12778]

Mel - FSH:LH (follicle stimulating hormone:lutenizing hormone). They also tested me for free testosterone, plus I had a transvagainal u/s when I was diagnosed. Yeah basically the egg is just never released so it forms a cyst on your ovary... and your ovaries get overstimulated, try to release another egg, it doesn't burst out, and another cyst forms. That's how the string of pearls forms. Anyway, if you get dx'ed with PCOS, they can try to put you on Metformin (but I would get tested for insulin resistance first... no point in going on met if you are not insulin resistant). Alternatively, when you want to TTC, they can just put you on clomid (which is what they do here... they don't bother messing with met).

[filmgirl7]

filmgirl7
ME: Carrie (28)
DH: Jer (33)
Occupation: teacher
Married (date of or date planned): 1/7/06
Started charting (date, if known): 6/11/06
TTC: hopefully later this year (2006)

Thank you all for such a warm welcome. I'm really excited to be here! I'm already well into TCOYF and finding that it's a page turner. I was also very excited to take my temp this morning for the first time. Have a CVS basal thermometer and it works well but seems to take a very long time. Does anyone else find that?

[Sue]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!! I will say, after being on the pill so long I forgot how my face breaks out! I feel like a 15 year old boy :(

[Janey]

DeLurking to say -

Filmgirl - I feel that Ovusoft is a pretty minor cost. At $40, it's about 2 months of BCP. In any case, you don't need software ... but it's helpful to use either FF or Ovusoft if you want input on your charts. If you decide not to use software, Tlew12778 posted a page with a bunch of Excel charts at some point. I Googled for it and couldn't find it ... perhaps she still has that page bookmarked.


I hope everyone is doing well. :)

[LeslieandPaul]

Do you have a chart link? Have you been drinking alcohol at all? That can raise temps. Otherwise you might have just had a random early O.

I rarely drink alcohol, and that hasn't changed recently.

Here's my chart. I've had a few missed temps. The open circles are from different waking times (9am instead of 7:30-8am)
My Chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/977c7)

[tlew12778]

Here is the post with the excel charts (http://www.constantchatter.com/showpost.php?p=645948&postcount=236). I don't know if maybe kamaji wants to add the link to the beginning of the thread?

Leslie - Have you already adjusted those temps that you took later? If not, that is why they are higher. If you have... I am stumped. Maybe the warmer weather is affecting them. But honestly, my temps don't climb that high even when it's 40C at night. Looking at your post-O range, I am thinking that if you have already adjusted those temps, it's more likely anov (so far) rather than early O. The temps are just so high so early!

[motray36]

filmgirl - it does take about a minute for the thermometer to register your temperature. I'm not sure what the CVS brand does, but I just got a new one that doesn't beep every 4 seconds for the full minute, which is great for 5:30 am temping!

[kemaji]

Updated to here.

I've added the links that tlew posted to post #9.

Daniel's Kitty -- I'm not going to remove you from the roster just to preserve our stats, however if you do end up being an anti-grad, I'd be curious to know what rule you broke. I think it might be interesting to post that along with the rest of the stats.

ETA: I think it is just as valuable knowing what rules people broke when they were TTA and got pg, because it further emphasizes just how effective TTA can be when those rules are followed.

[raven077]

I'd be curious to know what rule you broke. I think it might be interesting to post that along with the rest of the stats.

Agreed.. it would definitely be good to know, if you don't mind sharing. ;)

[Clattercote]

Good morning everyone - I'm back from a long weekend of wedding activities for a friend and can't believe how much I missed here!

Welcome to filmgirl and Sue!

LeslieandPaul - I'm also stumped but I have seen some charts that look triphasic, but only because the temp rose at some point in Phase I, not because of pg. Which is just to say that by the end of this cycle, perhaps yours will look triphasic as well. But I have no clue why the temp rises during Phase I in the first place - do you take dietary supplements? Sometimes those might do something... another possibility is early O - sometimes it just happens...

[LeslieandPaul]

I didn't adjust my temps, but usually when I temp at different times it doesn't make them that high. And nope, no dietary supplements. I have been exercising more lately, but before I went to Europe I was exercising regularly and it didn't seem to affect my temps. This is so strange.

[tlew12778]

When did you get back from Europe? Maybe your body is still adjusting to the time difference.

[Daniel's Kitty]

My son was waking up at funny times and the temps were screwy so we ignored cm in favor of fun. I am not so sure that is a rule though. We just have to wait since my dh is all excited about having number two. I hate the 2WW either way.

I will post when I know one way or the other, although if not this month I don't think we are going to make it till we hit the ttc point. Dh has the baby bug BAD.

[LeslieandPaul]

When did you get back from Europe? Maybe your body is still adjusting to the time difference.

We got back near the end of April. I don't think that's what's affecting me though because i've made two big trips since February, and they both delayed O, and didn't make my temps higher at the beginning of the cycle.

[tashaw6]

Okay, I have never heard of this and it may be TOOOOOOO MI, but I have to ask...has anyone ever had globby CM? What does this mean? Extra fertile this month...lol!?

[Clattercote]

tashaw - I do get globby CM, but it doesn't mean much for me. If it stretches at all, I note it as more fertile and otherwise just note it as sticky. If it's a new kind of CM you haven't noticed before, it may just be dietary or other changes you've made in the last few weeks - or it could just be random...

[tlew12778]

What's globby? Chunky EWCM? Like clatter said, if it stretches at all I would mark it as EWCM. FWIW, the longer I am off BCP, the more EW my CM gets.

[tashaw6]

Globby as in like I can only describe it looking like a glob of snot (sorry, told you TMI...)

[akacharlotte]

tashaw

I get some like cottage cheese. That's the best way I can describe mine. Was yours more like runny snot or like boogie snot?

[FSUSammy]

tashaw6 - Everyone's idea of globby is different. Can you describe what you are seeing?

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. Soooooo I'm on CD 34 and "might" be approaching O. I've had super watery CM for the past few days. Had a bit of EWCM today but it leaned more to the Watery side. I'm currently having a sharp pain on my right side, hoping its O pain!

I really need to O soon because next month I have my annual gyn visit and I'd hate to have to reschedule it because of AF.

Sam

[tashaw6]

Its globby like boogie snot (can't believe I am describing this...lol). And a big boogie at that! So it wasn't sticky, it didn't stretch...so what is that?

[FSUSammy]

tashaw6 - Well if it wasn't sticky and it didn't stretch I'd call put it in the creamy category. Then again, was it clear?? If so I'd almost err on the side of caution and say it was EWCM.

Sam

[tashaw6]

Yeah, it was clear...more opaque, but clear would be the closest I would get to the colour of it...definitely NOT creamy! EWCM would most probably do it! How strange this is though...!

[TheMarieke]

I get CM like that pretty often, actually. Usually it's more EWCM that has kinda dried a little (ie if I check internally, or note it on TP or undies)

Do you get this when you check internally, or externally?

It might be more globby due to not drinking enough water.

[tashaw6]

I checked internally. I guess it could be about the water drinking. I ordinarily drink 3 litres a day but lately have had no time so only drink about 2l so maybe that is it cause my diet is still the same (bad...:p )

Thanks girls! Glad this happens to others! I was freaked out!

[motray36]

I almost just spit my coffee out all over my desk because of the boogie/snot conversation! I'm convinced nothing is TMI around here....we just lay all our cards on the table....I love it :p

[akacharlotte]

Duh! I just put two and two together that my cottage cheese cm occurs when I feel dehydrated. Thanks girls!

[raven077]

I almost just spit my coffee out all over my desk because of the boogie/snot conversation! I'm convinced nothing is TMI around here....we just lay all our cards on the table....I love it :p

LOL. Yup. :D
This is a fantastic group.

[TheMarieke]

I agree about the lack of anything being TMI. Sometimes I have to be careful when I talk to other people about charting, because I think "Oh wait, they might be grossed out about CM". I'd totally just tell them, since I have no shame about it anymore, LOL!!

Glad I could put the pieces together about the dehydration/globby CM thing :D

[ADSigMel]

Well, if the snotty CM conversation is over, I have a question. :p Actually, it's not a question, it's a warning that I might be approaching anti-grad status. I might have just experienced a surprise O!

My paper charts were looking suspiciously like I O'd on Sunday, so I put it into FF this morning, and the computer concurred with my analysis. Guess who BD'd on Sunday (in her sleep, no less). I wasn't worried at first, because it was only CD12 or something, and I've NEVER O'd before CD 23 before. My past two cycles were 99 days and 70 days, respectively, and both were annovulatory. My CM was dry at the beginning of this cycle, so I was sure I wasn't just experiencing BTB from the previous cycle, and was expecting my usual long stretch of pre-O fertile CM.

I didn't check my CM on Sunday. I usually do it before bed, but I fell asleep on the couch and just didn't get around to it - I only check once a day because I have such scant mucus that I have to check internally. And on Monday, Tuesday, and today, I've had the first sustained high temps I've seen since October. I will be very surprised to see a CD12 O here, seeing as how I've never O'd anywhere near that early in my entire life. It would help a lot if I'd checked my CM Sunday night, but, oh well.

[Daniel's Kitty]

This may be the month of the anti-grads!

BD in your sleep? That must take talent.

[akacharlotte]

WOW! Mel! Only time will tell of course. How are you feeling about this?

[ADSigMel]

Stacy, I'm actually okay with it, since we were sort of planning on moving on to TTC soon anyway, except of course for the fact that I don't want to mess up y'all's stats. NFP/FAM works perfectly well, I just broke the rules by not counting myself as being in Phase II after the EWCM on CD7. Even though I had dry days afterward, and even though I usually have 3-5 days of sustained fertile CM prior to O, I shouldn't have risked it. So, totally my fault...well, not "fault," but my actions caused the situation. That is, if there should prove to be a situation, which I won't know for at least a few more days. This wouldn't be the first time I've had a non-O temp spike.

Daniel's Kitty, we actually BD in our sleep pretty often. It takes a great deal of talent on both of our parts, and we usually mutually blame each other the morning after. He says I woke him up, I say he woke me up (which is actually always true)...sometimes neither of us even remembers doing it for a day or two, and then we remember, but aren't sure if it was a dream or not until we confer with the other. :rolleyes: Maybe we should go back to sleeping in separate rooms!

[meggers]

I just got my first AF since having my DS in January (just in time for our anniversary :mad: ). So, I guess it is time to join this thread and get back to charting. Here are my stats:

meggers (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/9577d)
Real name: Meghan (27)
DH'sname: Jeff (26)
Occupation: Engineer
Married: 6/15/2002
Started charting: 2/2005 (originally), 6/14/2006 (after baby)
TTC: late 2007-2008

In the past my cycles were easy to chart. I think my cycles will look more wacky now since I usually wake up once during the night to feed DS.

[Clattercote]

tashaw - Definitely count that as EWCM - I get that too occasionally - if it's clear, I err on the side of caution

Welcome back to charting, meggers - Sorry AF didn't cooperate - just so you know, CM may tell you more at this point than temp taking when you're that soon PP.

AdSigMel - So it should be an interested 2WW, then - I'm looking at your chart, and I'm actually wondering if what you noted as AF is actually BTB - because I don't see much of a temp shift at all in your last cycle, and I'd actually count this cycle as perhaps a continuation of the past one - so you wouldn't have O'd on CD 12 - just a thought...

[ADSigMel]

Clatter, I thought about BTB, too (since you explained it so well to me a couple of months ago). But I thought if it's BTB you keep having fertile CM. Mine actually dried up. So I thought it would be safe to consider it a new cycle. Is that wrong, does CM not stay fertile during and after BTB?

[Clattercote]

AdSigMel - The more I think about BTB the more I think there must be some sort of continuum and BTB could refer to all kinds of mid-cycle bleeding - Art of NFP and TCOYF aren't specific enough on these things, I think - I think this is BTB for 2 reasons: the temps stay low, and O happens relatively quickly afterward. I guess you could go with saying the last cycle it could be categorized as either BTB or annov - but given your history of long cycles and the fact that the temps weren't quite as jumpy as in what i characterize as annov cycles, I'd go with BTB.

[LeslieandPaul]

I had a temp dip today (all the way down to 36.4 celsius :rolleyes: ), and fertile CM. Maybe I will O after all (but who knows where those high temps came from).

ETA: I put a link to my chart in my signature

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. I might have O'd. I had a pretty significant temp jump this morning. The highest my temp has gone in the past few weeks was 97.3 and today it jumped all the way to 97.8. Promissing. I just hope its not a fluke and that I have 2 more days of high temps to call it an O. I'll keep you all updated.

Sam

[kemaji]

AdSigMel -- I think Clatter is on to something...it will be interesting to see how all of this turns out. I know you've had the baby bug for a bit, so at least being pg isn't the worst thing in the world for you right now. Don't worry about messing up our stats. I think it is more important to present an accurate picture of TTA and how it works and when it doesn't, what rule was broken (intentionally, or otherwise).

If it is okay with everyone here, I'd like to amend our anti-grad stats and include the broken rule as part of the listed information.

Welcome back, meggers!

Updated to here.

[tlew12778]

I think that's a great idea about including the broken rule. IIRC, there was one case on WC (in all 13 threads or whatever) where the pregnancy was a result of a broken condom... so good to know.

[ADSigMel]

And now my temp has dropped. Not as low as my LTL, but pretty close. I swear, sometimes I wish I were a man. :mad:

[Clattercote]

I think I spend about equal parts wishing I were a man and not wishing I were a man. I just got another UTI last week, and was definitely wishing I was a man - killer cramps, bloating, and all of the stuff that comes with pg and bfing also makes me think that way -

Luckily for DH, he is very sympathetic (foot rubs, random chocolate runs to the store, etc)

But for all that I guess I do like charting and knowing what's going on with my body ;-)

[akacharlotte]

Mel-I had that this cycle as well. 3 days of a sustained high temp then a low temp and then the next day back up.

[PookiePrincess]

I've been lurking for a while and would like to join you gals!

Pookie Princess
Kristi: 27
Sean: 29
Teacher
Married : 10/29/05
Last BCP: 6/2/06
Started charting: 6/5/06
TTC: Summer 2007

My chart is in my sig.

My question is about my temps. I know in TCOYF she says a typical pre-O temp is about 97*. My temp is rarely 97*...usually it's been low 96's. Is that just what's normal for me? TIA!

[FSUSammy]

PookiePrincess - Welcome! Your pre-O temps is absolutely normal. Mine used to be in the 96's, but lately mine has gone up to the 97s.

[tbell]

Sunday is my first day without BCP and my first day charting, so bear with me, y'all!

tbell
Tacy: 31
Tim: 35
Occupation: Child Support Enforcement for county gov't
Married : 5/21/05
Last BCP: 6/17/06
Started charting: 6/18/06
TTC: October 2006

[Janey]

So I just wanted to let you all know ...

http://static.flickr.com/73/168120376_e809f0b373.jpg?v=0

I absolutely credit charting, and everything I learned here in this thread, with being able to have that on the very first try. So thanks to all of you, who helped me learn this stuff!

ADSigMel, is it wrong of me to secretly hope that your Oops is really an Oops so we can be in a Mama's thread together? :o

[southerner]

HOLY SHIT MRS HILL :eek: :eek: :eek: FIRST TRY!!!!

welcome tacy :D

[FSUSammy]

MrsHill - Congrats!!!!! I wish you a happy and healthy 9 months.

[ADSigMel]

MrsHill - EEEEEEEEEE!!! Congratulations! No, it's TOTALLY not wrong to hope that we're pg together. A small part of me hopes I am. ;) Won't know until next week though! H&H to you!

Stacy - Looks like that may be what's going on with me. Mine was back up this morning.

Kristi and Tacy - Welcome aboard!

Tacy, I had a child support enforcement case last week that went across state lines. I learned WAY more about Title IV-D of the SSA than I ever really wanted to know! ;)

[Janey]

HOLY SHIT MRS HILL :eek: :eek: :eek: FIRST TRY!!!!
I know. It's pretty amazing, especially when I was sooooo sure we'd have problems becaus of my previously diagnosed PCOS. The other good thing is that I hope that this is encouragement to other gals who were in my position -- overweight, insulin resistant/prediabetic, pcos -- that they do have some control over this, and that they can fix the problem.

I knew yesterday, when my temps were going UP at 13DPO rather than plummetting, and there was no spotting anywhere in sight when I would've easily had my period by then. I convinced B that we had to test last night instead of this morning.

Also - I'm keeping the info out of the blog for now... but I will write what happened after we found out later (it's funny :p ). There is a friend who reads my blog who I would like to tell in person. I will see her today... so I'll write it after.

tbell - You are in good hands, here. :D

FSUSammy - Thanks!

[raven077]

Welcome tbell and officially, PookiePrincess!

Oh wow, MrsHill! How exciting! I saw your name as the last poster and inside I was thinking, "oh please be a BFP!" Congrats, lady! :D :D :D

[Clattercote]

Mrs Hill - What GREAT news! I'm thrilled!

Welcome tbell and pookieprincess -

Pookieprincess - Low temps can be just low temps, or they can indicate something a bit more serious - do you have some of the other symptoms indicated in TCOYF for thyroid issues? have you had your thyroid tested? I have temps in the 96s pre O and temps in the low 97s post O and had my thyroid (the whole battery of tests, not just the T3/T4) and everything came back low normal - so I'm just monitoring it but not concerned.

[kissmary]

Mrs Hill, Congrats!!! (I was lurking in the TTC w/charting thread but we're not ready to TTC so it's fun to follow along). Happy and healthy pregnancy to you!

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. Just wanted to update you all. Today's temp was much higher than yesterday's temp. So I'm crossing my fingers that tomorrow's temp is high too that way I can definitively say that I O'd. I've had non-existent CM yesterday and today so that's a good sign. Plus my BB's are freaking sore, so I'm pretty sure I O'd.

It'll be interesting to see what length my LP will be this cycle. I haven't managed to get a consistent LP yet, so we'll see if at least that part of my cycle is starting to regulate itself.

Sam

[LeslieandPaul]

Congratulations MrsHill!!!

[tlew12778]

Welcome to the new peeps!

MrsHill - CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting! Happy and Healthy nine months!

[tbell]

Tacy, I had a child support enforcement case last week that went across state lines. I learned WAY more about Title IV-D of the SSA than I ever really wanted to know!

Ugh, I'm sorry. Fun stuff, huh?

Congrats Mrs. Hill!!! :D

[kemaji]

MrsHill -- Congratulations!!! That's awesome! Just for housekeeping purposes, you're due in February, correct?

Welcome to Pookie Princess and tbell!

Updated to here.

[Janey]

Thank you all for the congrats! Makes me feel good. :D

Kemaji - Yes according to an online due date calculator i found ... I'm due 2/25/06. My guess is that I will have a March baby, because ALL of the women in my family go way late. But put me in as Feb, since that's what the calc says. :)

I'll see (some of) you here in ~9 months. :D

[akacharlotte]

Congratulations MrsHill!!! I'm excited for you. I hope you come back and post periodically to let us know how you are feeling etc!

Big Congrats to Mr. Hill too!

****
Ok, can I just tell you how freakin tired of am of having sore boobs!!!! Over a week now and I cannot lay on my stomach to sleep. I have to prop my myself on my arms. I can't even lay on my side because then the side of my boob aches. Really ready for AF to get here so the sore ta-tas can go bye bye!

[ADSigMel]

Still dry. Yesterday my temp went back up some. Today it's down below my LTL, but FF hasn't changed its interpretation of my chart. I don't know what's going on here, but I'm starting to think that (yet again, as in the previous two cycles) my body pretended to O, but it was really lying to me and I'm going to have yet another annovulatory cycle. Is this my body's way of telling me that I should have become a nun instead of getting married so I wouldn't have to worry about all this stuff?

[ADSigMel]

Holy fudgesicle, I just thought of something. If I did O when FF says I did, I'm at 6 DPO today. Might my low temp this morning have been an implantation dip?! 6 days is too early for implantation, right?

[dpangel33]

Well I guess I'll confess to being an anti-grad :o

I kinda expected it when I found out I O'd early on CD10 and that's when we did UDD. I hated the 2WW of not knowing if we caught the eggie or not, but now we know.

My due date will be sometime at the end of Feb.

[akacharlotte]

Congratulations D!

Mel, I'm not sure about a 6 DPO implantation dip. Gosh, the next 8 days or so are going to be torture until you test!

[raven077]

dpangel33, Congratulations. Hopefully it's still happy news for you. :)

[tlew12778]

Actually, implantation can take place anywhere after 5DPO... the average is 8-10 days but it could be earlier...

[ADSigMel]

My temp is still low. FF is now saying I didn't O. This is so incredibly lame.

Congrats, Danea!

[Sue]

Well, it's still my first cycle of charting... According to FF and OS, I'm 16 DPO - CD 34. I've been having some crampy feelings the past few days, but nothing more than that and my temp is still high. Anyone else have a long LP????

OV Chart (http://www.tcoyf.com/forum/chart.asp?id=misssue)

FF Chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/137cf2)

[FSUSammy]

dpangel33 - Congrats. Happy and healthy 9 months to you!!!

Sue - I can't look at your charts from work (websites are blocked) but I'm sceptical (sp?) that your LP would be 16 days. An LP that long usually signifies PG. Maybe you didn't O when you thought?

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. I've confirmed my O!!! Finally!!! I drew my CL at 97.4 and am now waiting to see how long this LP will be. And then off to Cycle #6

Sam

[akacharlotte]

Will someone take a look at my chart please? Am I experiencing a triphasic pattern?

TIA

[tbell]

OK, I have a question for you ladies.

Due to being on Seasonale for 2+ years, I have not had a visit from AF in almost that long. Dr. says everything's fine, some people just don't get AF while on Seasonale.

Yesterday was my first day charting and being off BCP. When I set up my FF chart and it asked for the 1st day of my last period, I had no idea what to say. When I previously used to get AF, I would stop taking the pill on Saturday and AF would come by Tuesday, so on my FF chart I put Tuesday.

My question: will this come back to bite me? I didn't want to wait to temp until I had AF since that may be another month or more. Should I have done anything differently?

TIA

[juliemag]

Hi guys, sorry I haven't been around much since joining. I think I may have joined this thread pre-maturely b/c we've basically been "seeing what happens" rather than TTA. In any event, I could use some advice on my chart if ya'll dont mind. Yesterday morning I had a huge temp dip and felt like AF was on her way. I also tested, and to my surprise there was an incredibly faint line on two tests. Today my temp shot back up and I tested again - but this time BFN.

So my question is... does it seem like I had implantation yesterday? Yesterday and today I have felt the AF-type cramps, my bbs are sore, and I have been *starving*. The list goes on and on. I'm just unsure why the tests today would be negative. :confused:

Any advice would be appreciated. :)

[tlew12778]

Mel - So I guess you didn't O then. Excellent! No anti-grad status for you! Not sure when your Dr's appt is, but I got this book of the internet (e-book) called the PCOS diet book and it has tons of good info in there about PCOS and controlling it with diet. Not sure if that interests you at all. It was like $14 or something and had TONS of recipes in it. If I find it I can send you an electronic copy to browse through.

Sue - Wow... um... no one in the history of the last few threads (and I am counting at least the last 3 or 4 on WC as well) has had an LP that is 17 days or longer... have you POAS? Although your temp looks like it's going down today so maybe AF will show. Hope so...

Charlette - Not sure... I have seen triphasic patterns that are much clearer and I have seen BFP charts with no triphasic pattern at all... it's just a wait and see game I think.

Tbell - It doesn't really matter. FF just wants to start counting days for you. If you say today, it will start CD1 today. You can decide to not count your first cycle in your stats later on if you want.

[kemaji]

Sue -- You might just have a long LP (lucky...can I have a couple of your days?) I just checked your chart and it looks like your temp is dropping, so AF is probably around the corner. FWIW, TCOYF states that an LP of 18 days or longer usually signifies pregnancy.

AKACharlotte -- It doesn't look triphasic to me, at least not yet. You're only 12DPO. I know your last chart your LP was super short, but I would imagine that was because it was your first chart off BC (right?). Your body may still be regulating itself.

tbell -- I don't use FF, but I would imagine it asked that to know where you are in your cycle. I would just put down the date that you stopped BC for now.

[tlew12778]

Julie - Well... most of us on the thread don't really know too much about what implantation feels like. Personally, I think your CL should be a little higher. I don't know why FF set it so low. Regardless, they say a line is a line right? If your temps stay above the CL (which they are for now... I would set it at 97.2), I'd say it's a good chance you are pregnant.

[kemaji]

juliemag -- I think at this point, all you can do is wait and see. FWIW, I don't agree with where FF drew your coverline. I would feel more comfortable using rule of thumb on CD31 and then counting CD30, 32 and 33 as your high temps. I would then draw your coverline at 97.2. It is also still fairly early to test, not everyone tests positive quickly.

Do you want me to move you to SWH instead of TTA?

[kemaji]

tlew, I just saw your post. Great minds think alike!

[juliemag]

Thanks kemaji and tlew for responding. I guess I will just wait and see what tomorrow's temp looks like. When I imput the same temps into ovusoft, it gives me a coverline of 97.2 - so I think you guys are right on by suggesting that.

kemaji - you can move me to SWH. :)

[Sue]

Thanks for the replies...

I've been on BCP for YEARS, with some breaks in between and I can't remember ever having a problem before the pill or when I took any breaks. It's been a rough month and we only DTD once (and I think it was 8 DPO, I can't see my chart right now at work), so I doubt pregnancy is the cause of the long LP. I'm hoping the dropping temp means it's coming...

[akacharlotte]

AKACharlotte -- It doesn't look triphasic to me, at least not yet. You're only 12DPO. I know your last chart your LP was super short, but I would imagine that was because it was your first chart off BC (right?). Your body may still be regulating itself.[

Kemaji-My previous cycle was very wacky and a whopping 47 days. I ended up not taking my temps during my vacations because I was waking up at different times and consuming alcohol etc. I'm just ignoring that cycle.

I haven't taken birth control pills in 4 years so my cycles are fairly regular except for the crazy one April-May.:)

I really hate the whole wait and see aspect. :p :rolleyes:

Thanks for your input tlew and kemaji! Guess I'll know for sure in the next 5-7 days.

[Clattercote]

D - HAH 9 months!

Sue - Long LPs are nearly always a sign of early pg - could also be evidence of a luteal cyst (corpus luteum doesn't disintegrate when it's supposed to, but that's quite a bit more rare). I'd try POAS, too, just to see. Let me ask this, as well - what are the open circles before FF's stated O date? It may be that we need to reinterpret the chart, depending on what the open circles indicate-

akacharlotte - I don't see anything triphasic at all - wouldn't worry yet.

AdSigMel - Hmmm - the chart is puzzling, what with the downshift in temps - I'm a bit baffled myself.

Juliemag - A dip post-temp shift doesn't mean a whole lot because some women do see dips and are pg and some women (me included) see dips and aren't. Ditto what tlew says - the CL is pretty low, temp wise - if you were pg I'd expect to see evidence of rising progesterone and rising temps - time will tell...

Need help with my own chart - this month has been a doozy because I got a UTI on CD 5 (took antibiotics CD 6-CD13), and I travelled two time zones west on CD 12. I know there's not a temp shift there yet (I expect it'll be in the next couple days due to the way my CM is nicely progressing), but I'm trying to figure out whether to discard those two higher temps now, or just shave it down later. My usual LTL is 97.0-97.2.

[ADSigMel]

Clatter, I'd wait and see what your temps do over the next few days, unless you think the high temps are so wildly wrong as to be unreliable.

[tlew12778]

Clatter - I assume you didn't adjust the temps for the time zone difference but just temped at your regular time? So basically that would mean that your temps would actually be higher if you adjusted them for the time difference? I think I figured that out correctly... like, if you temped at 7AM EST, then temped at 7AM mountain time, that's be like temping at 5AM EST which would result in a lower temp normally, requiring the addition of .1 per half hour...

but it wouldn't look right on the chart. Hm.. well, first I would leave them like they are... then if your temps keep going up, start disgarding and adjusting.

[Clattercote]

tlew - That's right, I didn't adjust at all - I get into problems whenever I travel, whether I adjust or not - so I've just gone down the path of least resistance and I don't adjust, hoping my body will regulate itself out eventually. I do rely more on CM only rules when I travel -

[Sue]

Sue - Long LPs are nearly always a sign of early pg - could also be evidence of a luteal cyst (corpus luteum doesn't disintegrate when it's supposed to, but that's quite a bit more rare). I'd try POAS, too, just to see. Let me ask this, as well - what are the open circles before FF's stated O date? It may be that we need to reinterpret the chart, depending on what the open circles indicate-



Let's see...

5/24 - temp taken at 6:15
5/27 - temp taken at 6:10
5/28 - temp taken at 6:30
6/10 - temp taken at 6:15

I usually temp at 5:30am, OV (http://www.tcoyf.com/forum/chart.asp?id=misssue) adjusted my temps and FF (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/137cf2) didn't.

[Sue]

Well, after running out to buy a HPT, guess what I just got :) At least that explains the horrendous headache I've had all day!

[tlew12778]

Is headache a symptom of pregnancy? Or do you get headaches with AF?

[Sue]

Is headache a symptom of pregnancy? Or do you get headaches with AF?

Well, looks like it was only spotting :( We'll see how the day progresses... I was off the pill for a couple of months last summer and I had really bad headaches and just generally felt like crap - nausea, cramps - when I had AF.

[filmgirl7]

Hey Ladies,
I've been following along with the discussions as I'm reading TCOYF, and it's taking me while but I'm about 100 pages in. I'm CD 10 and I'm getting really excited to record my first thermal shift! WOOO! I think it should happen by the end of his week since i'm very regular.

I'm a little curious about timing my temps. I pretty much ALWAYS have to go to the bathroom in the night between 4:30 and 6:30, and the book clearly says to temp after 3 hours of consecutive sleep. At this point, that would be near impossible for me. It's tough to see my digital readout as it is...if I did it any earlier, I've to turn the light on, and that would wake DH (and me). Does it really matter? (Ok, i just read the thread intro stuff....got it!)

Btw, thanks for educating me. I'm finding all of this info so useful, I swear if I have daughters I will make sure they understand how to TCOTF, because I could have avoided a LOT of stress and confusion in the past. I wish I read this book 8 years ago!

[FSUSammy]

filmgirl7 - I'm sure most others would agree with me but you need to temp at the same time everyday. If that means you set your alarm for 4:30 and temp then, then you do that. That's the only way you'll really be able to see your true temp shifts and all.

As for turning the light on, I found a solution to that. I have the BD Basal thermometer that I bought at drugstore.com. It has a display that lights up. Before that I had the generic Walgreens one and had to turn my light on every morning to make sure it was on.

[tlew12778]

Filmgirl - It doesn't matter if you need to pee all the time. What is essential is that you have a routine and that you temp at the same time everyday. So, if you always have to pee at 4:30 and 6:30, pee. I would, as Sam said, either temp at 4:30 or 6:30. What is your normal wake up time? I can still get up and let the cats out or feed them and sleep for an hour without it affecting my temp. Only time will tell if the bathroom breaks affect a pattern (but IMO, it shouldn't so long as you always consistent).

As for reading the therm, I don't bother doing that until I record the temp later in the day. My therm (which is not the BD one) memorises the last temp taken. I think most do that.

[filmgirl7]

My therm. actually doesn't remember the last reading...strangely enough. It remembers the highest reading ever taken, and that's it. It will keep the current temp on it for three minutes, but then it will shut off and if I haven't looked, i'm SOL. :rolleyes: (CVS brand...be forewarned!) In the past ten days i've gotten used to that, so it's ok...may get more difficult in the winter months when the room is dark.

As for waking time, last week was my last week of school and I had to get up at 6:30, but now i'm on summer vacation so I might sleep until 7 or even 8. I have terrible trouble sleeping, so I'm hesitant to set my alarm when I don't absolutely have to. But my waking time shouldn't vary tooo much over the next three months or so. I should still be able to see the thermal shift, right? And I may get slightly higher temps if I sleep in...from what the book says. If i'm checking other signs, wouldn't I be ok?

[tlew12778]

Er, well I would buy a new therm. I'm lazy like that :p.

Just change your temp time for the summer. I would temp at 7, 7:30, 8, whatever... just make sure it's the same time everyday.

[tashaw6]

What if your alarm goes off at say 6:30 and you snooze, and then snooze some more and then by that time it is 7! Is it ok to temp then...ie it is not exactly waking temp?

Or if you forget to temp and only remember after say your morning shower...is that ok to temp then to just so that you have a temp for the day?

[tlew12778]

7AM, take the temp, make a note of the time, if you have to, you can adjust it later.

Temp after a shower, not OK. You will just have to discard it anwyay so don't bother.

Eventually you will get used to taking your temp before you hit that snooze button again.

[CindyM]

Well, just finished cycle 2 off BCP and it looks like my body is adjusting well - I had EWCM, a thermal shift and a long LP! This is just all so exciting!

[akacharlotte]

Eventually you will get used to taking your temp before you hit that snooze button again.

So true, my alarm goes off at 6am even on the weekends. As soon as it goes off I either hit snooze(M-F) or turn it off(weekends). I stick the therm in my mouth and the beeping of the therm after the 2 minutes wakes me up. I check the temp, write it down and fall back asleep.

[PookiePrincess]

So true, my alarm goes off at 6am even on the weekends. As soon as it goes off I either hit snooze(M-F) or turn it off(weekends). I stick the therm in my mouth and the beeping of the therm after the 2 minutes wakes me up. I check the temp, write it down and fall back asleep.

I do the same thing. Even with being on Summer break, I wanted to get in the habit of temping at 6, like I would if I were getting up for school.

About the therm with no light...I have the Walgreen's one and I use a small flashlight to read the temp when it's done and write it down. It doesn't wake me up as much as having to turn the lamp on.

[FSUSammy]

tashaw6 - I hit snooze by accident a lot on the weekends. I'll usually adjust my temp on those days. Ditto with tlew12778 on the shower, definite No No.

CindyM - Congrats!

[Sue]

Well, looks like it was only spotting :( We'll see how the day progresses... I was off the pill for a couple of months last summer and I had really bad headaches and just generally felt like crap - nausea, cramps - when I had AF.

AF is here! I'll update my charts when I get home :)

[Sue]

Well, just finished cycle 2 off BCP and it looks like my body is adjusting well - I had EWCM, a thermal shift and a long LP! This is just all so exciting!

Isn't it? When I saw the thermal shift I was so excited... my DH, not so much :p

It's so cool to actually see your body working!

[ADSigMel]

I'm into another mucus patch. I think maybe I'm trying again to O. *Fingers crossed* for a (SUSTAINED!) thermal shift soon.

I can't imagine what would make my temp rise as though I had O'd only to crash again. Has anyone seen anything like that before?

[FSUSammy]

ADSigMel - I had something like that I think 2 cycles ago. My temp went up and I was pretty sure I O'd then it dropped and hovered at my supposed coverline for several days before AF arrived. Not sure why I did that but I considered that cycle anovulatory.

[Daniel's Kitty]

Thought I would stop by and say thanks to everybody for being so great in my brief stay here. Maybe I'll do better next time. :D

[Clattercote]

Daniel's Kitty - So it's confirmed! Sorry that the tta didn't go so well for you but I hope you have a happy and healthy nine months!

[kemaji]

Daniel's Kitty -- I hope you have a very healthy 9 mos...sorry TTAing didn't work out.

AdSigMel -- I haven't had anything like that before, but I know there used to be some other women who had very long cycles similar to what you had. I don't know if any of them are still members, but if you were to go through the grad list, you might be able to see some charts...

Updated to here.

[akacharlotte]

Happy and Healthy Daniel's Kitty.

My temps are dropping slowly so thankfully no triphasic pattern going on here. :D Also, the sore ta-tas are less sore everyday.

Mel-My last cycle was wacky but I'll have to go back to check to see exactly what my temps did. I want to say they remained near or at coverline but then I went on vacation and all temping went straight out the window so I'm probably not the best to offer a comparison.

[Daniel's Kitty]

It would have worked just fine if a certain dh of mine didn't decide that ds needed a sibling. Oh well try again sometime.

[ADSigMel]

Where is everybody today? I haven't had a thermal shift yet, but I'm hoping to see one within the next couple of days.

DH and I have also been considering going ahead and moving to TTC. I'm not getting any younger, and if we're gonna squeeze in six kids by the time I'm 35, we better get crackin'. So, I'll probably be here until around Thanksgiving, then we're gonna have to start attempting to make babies. Hopefully, I'll be ovulating more frequently by then, cause as of now, it's been about 8 months since I've released a single egg.

[tlew12778]

6 kids?! Wow. THat's courageous. My sister has 7 and her house is a zoo, but she loves it!

[LeslieandPaul]

I may have o'd, I"m just not sure when. My temps have been high for the last few days, and my mood has been getting worse and worse.

[tgr68]

Count me in!!

tgr68 (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1e632)
Name: Naamah (25)
FH's name: Cordell (26)
Occupation: SAHM
Married : June 1, 2002
Started Charting: January 2003 & July 2005
TTC: 2007

I have charted successfully now for over 3 years, starting in January 2003. In September 2004, we started TTCing and got pg right away. Now we're back to avoiding until sometime in 2007. Usually when I wake up, my first thoughts are brush my teeth and get the baby.

I have had the most awful time remembering to take my temp each morning since DD was born. :( I'll do really good for a cycle, and then the next one has gaps all over the place.

[kemaji]

tgr68 -- Welcome back to TTA! Your daughter is adorable. :)

Updated to here.

In updating the stats, I realized that CC is right around its one year anniversary. In the past year of having this thread on CC, we have had a total of 85 members. Of that 85, 56 are currently TTA, 27 have gone on to TTC (of those, 16 have gotten PG) and only 2 are anti-grads. I think that is a damn good track record!

[tlew12778]

Were you bored at work today? ;)

[akacharlotte]

Has it really been almost a year since CC started? WOW! Time flies.

Welcome TGR

[kemaji]

Were you bored at work today? ;)

Just avoiding my work. ;)

[tgr68]

Thanks for the welcome, gals! ;)

kemaji~Thanks! She just turned a year old last week!

Maybe this will help me stay on track with my temping!

[raven077]

Welcome, tgr68!

[Natrat80]

I need to join! I was a member for a while over on WC, then moved to TTC with charting, had a baby....now it's a year later and I really need to get back to charting.


Name: Natalie 26
DH's name: Keri 27
Occupation: SAHM
Married : May 25, 2002
Started Charting: March 2004 (took a break to get pg) & June 2006
TTC: 2007

I've misplaced my copy TCOYF. Is there a place online to print out a chart template??

[tgr68]

Hi, NatRat!!! I use Fertility Friend (http://www.fertilityfriend.com) to cross-check my paper charts. They have a Charting Handbook (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/HelpCenter/ffhandbook.html) that can either be read online or downloaded and printed off. If you are just looking for somewhere to keep track of temps, so you remember what they are to put in online, your could print off the bedside notepad (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ttc2/bedside_module.php) as well. Hope this helps!! ;)

[filmgirl7]

Today is day 14 of my cycle, and i'm having a lot of fun charting thus far. :p I've been having CM this week and I know that my thermal shift is imminent! Woohoo! This is very exciting. I love knowing exactly what's going on in there and being more in control!

I feel like the information i've gained from reading TCOYF is something every girl who is becoming sexually active should have!!! Like, in high school health class or something. But that's just me....

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

[tgr68]

Filmgirl~ITA! I was always confused with the whole estrogen/progesterone thing. After I got into charting, everything became clear. I think it would really help if girls were exposed to this in a sex ed class when they started everything else.

[raven077]

Natrat80, welcome! And here is a link to the TCOYF chart PDFs. (http://www.ovusoft.com/library/chartpdf.asp) (though, I think there's also a link in the beginning of this thread)

edit to mention to tgr68 that in Catholic high schools, girls KIND OF are exposed to this. I vaguely remembered having our sex ed class, Teen Star, teaching about CM. Girls and boys were taught separately, but we all came out of those particular classes laughing, and moving our pointer fingers and thumbs back and forth, making fun of the "stretching" aspect. It was gross and it was almost an inside joke. Honestly, I'm not sure how to make it less of a joke, and more interesting to teenagers, especially in a Catholic school setting. Maybe by finding teachers who are more liberal in their teaching and terminolgy than some of the antiquated ones we had. I don't know. But it's interesting how none of it stayed with me, yet, in reading TCOYF, it jogged my brain and made me think, "Hey! I actually DID know some of this stuff! Who would've thought that I'd actually end up using it, and thinking it was cool!" heh. :o

[tgr68]

Raven~That's interesting to hear. I went to a public school, and it was more of a boys have a penis/girls have a vagina/here's the age when your period could starts/here's when to expect to get boobs/etc. Very basic stuff that you could gather reading magazines. :rolleyes: I found a cirriculum though that is for K-8 on the CCL website. I imagine it would go into the detail you described since it is the same group that does the Natural Family Planning courses.

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. My temp dropped drastically this morning. Fell down to 97 so I'm awaiting AF to arrive. Anxiously awaiting to start Cycle #6.

Natrat80 - Welcome!

[FSUSammy]

Good morning ladies. Onto cycle #6 for me. AF came early this morning. Nothing like having horrible cramps wake you up an hour before you are supposed to! I was a good girl and temped before I got out of bed though. I dosed up with 2 midol before coming into work to make these cramps go away. Ugh!

Sam

[kemaji]

Natrat80 -- Welcome! I've also posted the links at the bottom of post #9: http://www.constantchatter.com/showpost.php?p=606061&postcount=9

Updated to here.

[kemaji]

Good morning ladies. Onto cycle #6 for me. AF came early this morning. Nothing like having horrible cramps wake you up an hour before you are supposed to! I was a good girl and temped before I got out of bed though. I dosed up with 2 midol before coming into work to make these cramps go away. Ugh!

Sam

Sam -- I definitely feel your pain. (No pun intended.) I've had mornings like that, where all you wanted to do is curl up under the covers and hide...in fact, I'm sure I'll be right there tomorrow or Wednesday.

[tgr68]

I got HORRIBLE cramps before DD every month - now they occur at random :rolleyes - and I used those heating pads that you can place on your underwear along with 2 midol. They work wonders!!

I remembered to temp this morning! Wooohoooooo!

[Clattercote]

Welcome back Tgr and NatRat!

[motray36]

Wow - I go away for a few days and all heck breaks loose!

Welcome newbies and returners!
Fairwell to our anti-grads!
Congrats to our pg grads!

DH and I got into a SWH conversation over the weekend, he was shocked that this was a possibility (although I am not sure why....I guess his brain just goes to the black and white, trying or not trying). Anyway, we UDD'd at CD17, watery CM. My chart is sparse because I was in Vegas for a few days, then NJ for a few days and didn't bring my thermometer by accident. I'm still well below my post-O temps, so hopefully I'll be ok.

I don't know that I want to move to SWH yet just because of 1 conversation/UDD. If for any reason I end up anti-gradding though, we will know that it was not at the fault of TTA!!

[SQ2]

Hi, ladies! Well, we are back from our overseas trip. My chart is a bit whacky during our travel time and unfortunately it was right around a possible O so who knows what's going on. No sign of AF yet so I'm hopefully that O still might be round the corner. At CD64 this is definitely my longest cycle yet. In some ways I feel like I'm cheating the system since I haven't gotten AF for so long. LOL. Maybe the body is still regulating from the pill. :confused: We'll see what tomorrow brings. I think my body has just recently gotten back into sync after the jet lag.

[KRL626]

Question for anyone who has previously given birth? I am sort of twiddling my thumbs and wondering when my cycles are going to begin again so I can actually have something to chart. My question for the mommas out there, Did your body give you signs that you were resuming fertility the way TCOYF says? I have no CM really to speak of at this point and I'm BFing so I guess it's not all that surprising. I am just trying to get an idea of what I should be looking for. Will I definitely have signs or could AF just show up one day?

[meggers]

KRL626--CM wasn't a good sign for me. I started noticing EWCM one time and thought that I maybe ovulating and get AF in a couple of weeks, but I didn't. A few days before AF showed up, I had a little bit of cramping and had these feelings like my uterus was having muscle spasms. The day before AF showed I had some spotting. So, I had a little bit of warning.

[Natrat80]

Thanks for all the welcomes!

I'm still not temping, so I've got to find a way to make it a habit again! I SAH so I don't have an alarm set other than DD ;) I'm trying to convince DH to take my temp and chart it when he wakes up. No luck so far! :rolleyes:

KRL626 I didn't really pay attention to CM after DD was born, but I do remember having some obvious EWCM and wondering if AF was around the corner. So I guess I had a clue AF was coming, but I have PCOS so I never know what my body will do next! I got my first PP AF at 10.5 months. It was nice to have a long break from AF, but good to get back to charting. We used condoms sort of consistently before AF returned just in case. HTH

[tgr68]

I am having the most awful cramps this morning. I think they are intestinal because I have been really gassy and have already taken a major poo this morning. :o Plus, I'm CD 11 and rarely ovulation before day 18, so I cannot see them being O cramps - besides, my O cramps are never this painful, and they ease up some after I'm in the bathroom.

Forgot to temp again this morning. I felt a shower was more important since DH had to watch the baby and it was getting close to time for him to leave.

[SQ2]

CD66 - So, I don't know what to think about this cycle anymore. Yesterday I started having mild cramps so I thought AF was on the way (although I don't think I've ovulated yet - maybe this cycle is annovulatory?), but she has not shown up and my cramps have gone away for the most part. The weirdest thing is my temp is so low. I this morning's was 96.9. (Haven't been able to record it because we've been without power since 9pm last night! Grrrrr...).

Could I have missed the temp shift because of our overseas travel? (6 & 7 hr time difference) I basically skipped a day or two on each end of temping, but then assumed the regular temping time (well, I didn't actually temp at my usual time, but Ovusoft adjusted it). What's weird is I would think my temps would be higher than usual now since my body would still think it's later in the day.

This is my 5th cycle charting (4th using Ovusoft) and 1st 3 cycles of BCPs all seemed normal. Last cycle was quite long but I'm pretty sure i o'd.

Anyone care to venture a guess at what's going on with my chart? Thanks!

[ADSigMel]

SQ2, I don't see anything that looks like a temp shift. The travel this cycle probably screwed everythng up. When did you get back from your travels? FWIW, I do think you O'd last cycle, too.

[Clattercote]

SQ2 - I think the travel probably messed you up - I don't see a temp shift - but sometimes lengthy travel affects women by delaying O. I think you could rely on temps from here on out -

pp and AF I wonder if Art of NFP might be more helpful than TCOYF here, because Art of NFP is more specific about AFs and returning fertility - The first pp period often happens with no CM warning (and with no previous O) - and pp, expect that your CM will change so you'll have to refigure out what is fertile and not for your body -

[SQ2]

We got back about a week ago. I traveled last cycle around what I thought was O time (although the time change was only 2 hours) which I attributed to the long cycle in addition to stress from school. But this month, no stress, just the travel.

Is it normal to have cycles this long after 6 months off the pill? Do you think the long length of last cycle and this cycle can be attributed only to the traveling?

[TheMarieke]

*sigh*

I REALLY don't want to get my period the day of the wedding (or the day before), but there is a high possibility of that happening. Waaaah! :mad:

I am not sure if FF is correct on this cycle, however (which would be good, cause it will mean that I'll get AF sooner...hopefully). I got a free VIP trial and it's showing my expected AF day as CD27, which is possible, but I'm not sure if my temps are correct because of the wierd slow rise I had this month. (I've never had a slow rise like that)

Anyone care to take a look? TIA!!

[tlew12778]

SQ2 - I am not seeing a temp shift there.

Marieke - Don't worry about forecasting for August. Nothing you can do about it now... wait to see when you O next cycle bc with the impending wedding, stress could delay O. I thinkk FF may be right... or maybe the day before bc you still have EWCM that day.

[TheMarieke]

I know it's pretty futile to try to forecast it. I've just been through a lot of stresses over the last year and my cycle has never been affected more than a couple days.

I know it will work out one way or another. I think I'm just overanalyzing cause I'm PMSing and therefore a bit overly dramatic and irritable :D

[Clattercote]

SQ2 - It can totally be just about travelling - travelling can stress the body, and I think it just depends on the person and the kind of trip, and even just the particular month...

Marieke - ITA with tlew - it's really hard to predict, based on this cycle, whether you will have AF before the wedding or not. It's also hard to know whether you're on the verge of O this cycle or not - looks close, but then again, it might not be - What I'd do at this point is envision how it will go after the wedding, either way, and what things there might be that you can do either way that would be satisfactory for you both no matter what happens. DH and I had the unfortunate experience of having to wait a month after our wedding to UDD (because we abstain during Phase II) but we talked about it and played out scenarios before the wedding ever happened, so that we avoided a let down -

[filmgirl7]

...still no temperature shift. I'm really surprised about this because my cycles are very regular and I definitely thought I ovulated a few days ago. Granted, this is my first cycle charting and i'm just learning as I go, but I am very very surprised. Unless I have a very short luteal phase, AF is going to be late this month.

I suppose this month isn't the best indicator of my cycle, because i've been uber-stressed for the past couple weeks. We're just waiting to see what happens this month. It's interesting, if nothing else.

[Clattercote]

filmgirl- Yup, there's no O there yet - it looks, from the CM, like your body's gearing up for it... Since this is your first chart, we don't know entirely what might be going on. This could be delayed O due to stress, as you suspect. But I was surprised when I first started charting and noticed that my regular cycles of 28-29 days did not mean that I O'd on CD 14 or 15. Actually, often I O'd on CD 17, 18 and sometimes 19 or 20 - it did mean that I have a short luteal phase, which was diagnosed a year or so later. My cycles are now often longer with O still at one of those later days.

[TheMarieke]

Clattercote, I know I've already O'd, that's not the question. (Maybe you were looking at my TCOYF chart? I haven't signed up, so it's out of date).

I'm sure I O'd no later than CD14.

I'm really not sure how much stress affects my body because I've gone through a lot of highly emotional and/or stressful situations (some really close to my normal O time) over the last 15 cycles I've been charting and I've never had a super-delayed O. I'm typically 24-26 CDs, only ONE time was it 27 CDs and that was only cause it started early morning before I normally get up.

I know things can always happen...I could have a random 40 day cycle from the wedding, but I'm kinda doubtful of that. Having such a reliable body is a blessing and a curse, LOL!!

[TheMarieke]

Oh, and I'm just worried about dealing with AF on my wedding day. My CD2 is always the worst, and the bathroom facility at the park isn't super great. I don't want to have to ask a bridesmaid to help me put in a tampon if I can't get under my dress!!! EW! (I've heard of that happening, too...)

[tlew12778]

OMG as much as my bridesmaids love me, there is no way in hell they would have done that (nor would I have let them). Ewwww. I would get undressed before going down that road.

I think I have experienced my first O-dip ever. I was so convinced I was having a slow-rise but I guess not. Damn EWCM. It's really interesting how the longer I am off the BCP (close to 2 years actually), the better the quality of my EWCM gets.

[tgr68]

OMG as much as my bridesmaids love me, there is no way in hell they would have done that (nor would I have let them). Ewwww. I would get undressed before going down that road. Ditto!! :eek: Crossing my fingers that AF gets delayed and you won't even have to consider any drastic measures! ;)

[filmgirl7]

Oh, and I'm just worried about dealing with AF on my wedding day. My CD2 is always the worst, and the bathroom facility at the park isn't super great. I don't want to have to ask a bridesmaid to help me put in a tampon if I can't get under my dress!!! EW! (I've heard of that happening, too...)

If worse comes to worse, a couple of your bridesmaids can hold your dress on each side and you can put in a tampon. Just remember to change the tampon RIGHT before you first put on your dress to get the maximum amount of time out of it. But maybe you'll get lucky and not have AF at all during that time. Good luck!!

[kissmary]

TheMarieke, if you are really worried, you can buy something like the Diva Cup (http://www.divacup.com/). I think there was a discussion of them in this thread (or Vol. 2, it's hard to remember). Here's a thread about them in Sex and Intimacy (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=4580).

[ADSigMel]

Poor Marieke! Well, at least you've got one more full cycle before you have to worry about it. Here's hoping you have a ridiculously long cycle in July that last right up until the middle of August. That way, you can O right before your wedding and be in Phase III for your wedding and honeymoon!

[raven077]

The Diva Cup. I just bought one and tried it out for the first time during this week. It's definitely something that you need to get used to. I can see it working, for me, in the long run, but right now, I only feel comfortable using it throughout the nite. I had some leakage problems the first nite and I'm still adjusting to making sure it's inserted correctly. But all that being said, if I can get it all down-pat, I'm sure it will be fantastic. Plus, in those threads, everyone has glowing things to say about it. So if you plan on doing it, do it with at least one cycle under your belt, unless you're super confident (which, obviously, I am not :o). And I'm not trying to dissuade you from using this as an option.. just putting my $.02 as new user of the product. :p

[TheMarieke]

I'll just try to get SUPER-stressed right before I O next cycle!! :D LOL

Thank you for reminding me about the Diva Cup!! A local store is supposed to have those, but when I went to look, I couldn't find them. I just called (I kept forgetting to do that) and they DO carry it! Yay, no shipping costs!

I just hope I can get used to it enough in time (hopefully it won't even be necessary...)

[TheMarieke]

Raven, I have heard it takes a little bit to get used to it. I have at least one cycle to get used to it! I'll just have to buy some pads for backup while I figure it out or something...

I tried out the softcups, too, but I think I'd rather pay just one time and get used to it. Plus, they didn't seem to stay in place very well for me (they were fine till I'd sit down and get back up).

[TheMarieke]

PSA: I posted a thread asking for sex advice (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=21674)in "Sex and Intimacy". Just thought I'd let you all know since I know all you ladies the most here (this is pretty much the only thread I post in...this is my first venture outside the TTA thread!! LOL)

[raven077]

TheMarieke, that's great that you actually have a local store that carries them. Wonder if they have someone there who you could go to for advice about it, should you need it? And it DID seem to stay in place, once I got it in right. :p Didn't know it was there AT ALL. And being able to wear it for extended periods of time was great too.

[motray36]

My temps are freaking out! Not sure what is going on with that...the open circles were because I was in Chicago for the weekend.

[Clattercote]

Motray - It doesn't look like there's enough info to go on here - I don't see enough of a temperature pattern to call a temp shift for my comfort - Did you notice any CM at all before CD 17? How much of a time change is Chicago? I guess at the moment I'd go with a conservative interp and say that you haven't yet O'd. But I'm interested in what your temp does tomorrow -

[motray36]

Clattercote - Yeah, I definitely don't see a temp shift...although after the CD20 spike, I thought I was good to go. Pre-CD17 is tough to call because I was away, but when I don't mark it, it's usually in the sticky to creamy range. I always have some CM, and usually only 1-3 days of watery or EW. Chicago is an hour earlier than me here in CT....which would drop those few temps even lower. I also have a UTI - but as far as I know, antibiotics don't affect temperature, do they?

[Clattercote]

Motray - I think some antibiotics might affect temp, but I can't remember for sure - I think the very fact that you have a UTI is telling though, regardless of the antibiotic. I'd be suspecting delayed O for that very reason - I don't think our bodies like O'ing, generally, if something's up down there :-) So I'd go with, "Have not O'd yet" -

You know, the temp thing is a funky thing for me and I wonder if it might be for others as well - I have noticed that if I temp earlier for cycle (like at 5:30) I actually get higher temps - my 6:30 and 7:00 temps are lower per cycle, and then after that time, it starts climbing again. So that's why I do not now assume that if I go one time zone west, my temps will be that much lower - because I honestly have no clue. I hate temping across time zones.

[PookiePrincess]

Alright ladies, I wanted your advice on my chart. It's my first cycle off BCP and my first cycle charting. FF says I O'd on CD 22. Ovusoft isn't sure. I don't know what I think. So, can you tell me what you think? I had a big temp drop then a spike...was that it? TIA!

[tlew12778]

I think that a UTI will cause a temp spike. It's an infection and your bodies way of fighting the infection is to cause a fever. Even though it might not technically be fever range, it'd be enough to cause erratic temps on a BBT chart.

Pookie - I would say you O'ed but I would nudge your CL down a tiny bit. I don't know why FF likes putting CLs at weird temps. If you paper chart, you just go up to the next line... so in your case, 97.3, which would make today's temp on the CL. It is possible that you are going to get AF soon, but only another temp would tell IMO. Short LPs are not uncommon right after BCP. It is also possible that you had an estrogen surge causing a temp drop at 5DPO.

[PookiePrincess]

Thanks, Tlew!

[motray36]

tlew - It does make sense that the UTI could cause erratic temps because of my body fighting off infection, thanks. I didn't think of it like that.

Pookie - It looks to me like you O'd...congrats on your first cycle of BCP and on charting!

[raven077]

I had a UTI as well, at the beginning of last cycle. It didn't affect my temps, but definitely delayed O. I also caught it early and had antibiotics on hand since I was getting UTI's a lot previously, so maybe being on those right away kept the temps even.

[SQ2]

I'm so impatient. I either want AF to arrive so I can call this cycle annov., or I wish my temp would freakin' go UP! Ugh. I thought it was on it's way up what with my CM dry up, but today it went back down. So frustrated! I've O'd all 4 cycles before this post- BCP. I don't get it. Maybe I just need to be more patient. I know the traveling through things off but I thought having been back in town for 2 weeks would regulate things. *sigh* :rolleyes:

[tlew12778]

How long does it take to get an appt at your dr's office? BC if it's the type of gyn where it takes a month to get an appt, then she might cancel bc she is delivering a baby, I would make an appt now for some progesterone later. You can always cancel if AF shows.

[SQ2]

tlew- was that reply intended for me?

[tlew12778]

Yup, sorry.

[SQ2]

Oh, that's ok. :) I just wasn't sure what you were talking about but I couldn't figure out who else you'd be replying to.

Can you explain more? I thought long cycles were somewhat normal after BCP and especially considering the traveling we did recently. My clinic has a good system where we can email our doctors and they get back pretty quick. Do you think I should be worried? I just don't understand why my body seems like it's about to O but then my temp doesn't go up.

I assume the progesterone just jump starts the cycle again by bringing on AF?

Sorry for my ignorance.. ;) I would like to know what's going on especially since we want to TTC in September.

[tlew12778]

Yeah progesterone forces your AF to come. It raises your temps and when you stop, they fall... same as the corpus luteum breakdown basically. Once the progesterone starts wearing off, AF starts.

A lot of drs will start prescribing it around now. Some wait till 100 days. But like I said, if it takes a long time to get an appt, that'd put you at the 10o day mark.

[SQ2]

Thanks, Tiffany. I sent a message to my doctor and will wait to see what she says. I appreciate the info and advice! :)

[SQ2]

:) I must have caught her on her lunch break or something because she wrote back right away. She said if AF doesn't arrive after 90 days she'll want to do the progesterone. But she also said she'd want to do a pg test before that. :( Now, I told her I'd been charting, but I imagine it's just a precaution. I'm fairly sure I'm not pregnant. We had a scare last cycle I took a HPT (negative) and then later that day AF arrived...at least I thought so, especially since my temps went down. My temps give no indication of pregnancy as far as I can tell, but it still made my heart skip to see her write that. Well, we shall see!

[akacharlotte]

SQ2 I'm sure the PG test is precautionery. I don't know if ingesting progesterone would affect a developing fetus or not. Was AF normal after the negative HPT? If so, then I say there is an excellent chance you are not PG. :)

I had an abnormally long cycle April-May. I understand your frustration!

[TheMarieke]

Here's an update on the saga of the resident Bride-to-Be's Cycles/Wedding Day AF Crisis... LOL!

AF arrived today, so that made my last cycle 25 days. If this cycle and the next are both 25 days, that means AF will arrive the day before the wedding. I average 25-26 CDs (only once was it 27 days), so I could very likely have AF arrive the day of :/

Pray my O is delayed this cycle or next! God apparently gave me a very stable uterus, lol. Even wedding stress isn't getting to it yet! It's been stressing ME out, but will it delay O? NOPE!

If things go like normal, I'll have AF the first week of our marriage, then O the second week and be finally able to have UDD around the third week.

[Clattercote]

SQ2 - Like AKACharlotte says, the pg test is precautionary. But FYI, extra progesterone should likely not have too much effect on developing fetus, especially in first trimester, and especially at the doses usually given/taken. Progesterone increases by quite a bit during pg and women with low prog (like me :-)) take it through the first trimester to prevent possible m/c. I continue to wonder if your long cycle isn't just your body trying to figure things out after your trip - TCOYF has an example chart of just such a thing. Glad to hear your doc is on top of things, though!

Marieke - Sprinkling *delayed-O* dust ;-) I do think our bodies know when we want things, and they are intentionally perverse about not giving us the things we want!!!

[SQ2]

akacharlotte ~ AF was "normal" this cycle. I say that because I'm not sure what normal is anymore. :p But since I've gone off the pill AF has really stayed the same, maybe a day longer. I'd be really surprised if I was pg. Feeling pretty confident I'm not. It is just so frustrating when your body doesn't work like you expect. I'm such a control freak - in that way I liked BCPs...I could predict to the hour when AF would arrive. *sigh* I need to relax. :D

Clattercote ~ Thanks for the heads up about the TCOYF chart. I think I found it on pg. 326. It says she didn't O until CD76! So I'll try to keep patiently waiting. I really didn't think travel could affect my cycle this much. (In the example chart she was in France all summer and we were only gone for less than 2 weeks).

[tgr68]

Marieke~Sending *~*~*O Delaying Dust*~*~* your way!!

I have been absolutely horrible about taking my temp this cycle. :( However, I did take 3 O tests - the first two came out positive while the third came out negative - so I pretty much know when I O'ed. My mucus patch, however, came out of nowhere and only lasted a short time. DH and I DTD the day before EWCM (first day of CM), but it looks like I didn't O until 3-4 days later.

[Clattercote]

SQ2 - Yeah, it's hard to say how bodies react to things - even short-term things. I had 3 annov cycles following a trip to Italy and France last year - don't know if it was the time change or what... ETA: my trip was a 2.5 week trip...

[tlew12778]

SQ2 - Yeah I doubt pregnancy as you're not in your post-O range. When I took the progesterone the drs did not do a pregnancy test but they did do a transvaginal u/s (so that would have achieved the same thing anyway). Like clatter said, progesterone doesn't really affect a fetus. You'll notice a lot of women have to take it in the first trimester to prevent abortion.

Marieke - Here's hoping that AF doesn't come for you on your wedding day!

Tgr - OPKs do not confirm O. They just detect the LH surge. Are you in your post-O range?

[FSUSammy]

Hey ladies. Just stopping by to check in. I'll probably be MIA for the next week since DH and I are going on a cruise this Sunday. I'll be taking my therm and chart with me just in case I'm able to temp at my normal time. We'll see how that goes.

Sam

[akacharlotte]

Have fun on your cruise FSUSammy. My suggestion for taking your temp on the cruise is take a small travel alarm clock and a small flashlight. Our phone was across the room so I had to get out of bed to deal with the wake up call and our room was very dark with the blinds closed.

Needless to say I only temped once or twice on the cruise because my schedule was off anyway! :)

[SQ2]

Not pregnant! :D I had one HPT left in my 2-pack from the end of last cycle (75 days ago! :p ) so for piece of mind I just took it this morning and it was negative. I knew it would be and yeah it was a waste of $$ but I just wanted to know so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore. And what do you know, my temp shot way up this morning so let's hope it stays up!

I love that I'm learning so many things about my body from charting. Going home for over a week in August (west coast - 2 time zones only this time) so I really hope my cycle is not affected as much if at all this next time.

[tgr68]

tlew~Yeah, my temps have gone up and CM has pretty much dried up, too. Still going to wait though until I get at least 3 high temps to call us safe, though! ;)

[Natrat80]

I'm almost positive I've O'ed, my temps have been up for a few days, CM has dried up and I think I had ovulation pain a few days ago. And FYI we DTD unprotected during some fertile days (not due to charting problems, but due to DH problems :rolleyes: ) so if for some reason I'm pregnant it's not chartings fault!

I'm just excited that I'm ovulating, since I usually don't own my own!

Here's the link to my chart-can it be added to the first page?
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ttc2/index.php

[mrsmck05]

After all the months of reading the book, lirking around here....scared to get off the drugs, I did it! I ripped that BCP off my butt and I'm never going back.

Still trying to figure everything out as far as checking fluid and not waiting up in the middle of the night, etc. so in advance, please excuse my questions!

Thanks for inspiring me all ladies to try and do it the natural way.;)

[akacharlotte]

Thanks for inspiring me all ladies to try and do it the natural way.;)

Welcome! You'll love it. It's kind of frustrating at first but once you get the hang of it you almost become crazy about it. You experience stuff that before you thought was weird or abnormal or whatever and suddenly you are like, "Bingo! Now I know what that is all about!" At least that is how I am! :)

***
I think I'm gearing up to O. Watery CM the last couple of days. Wondering if I'll have EWCM today. I'm starting to feel the wet vaginal sensation and my temp dropped a little this morning.

[Clattercote]

mrsmck05 - Welcome! I hope you like going "natural"!

[meagle]

Just a drive by post... I don't have as much time to spend on message boards as I used to :( but I am still charting. It's cool to see some of the old crew like tgr68 and Natrat80. /waves hi! Welcome to all you newbies and anyone on the fence - this method really does work. I'm so glad I discovered it.

Saturday the 8th is my three (3) year chartiversary! (Could you please update this in the first post? Thanks!)My chart in my sig isn't updated because my computer crashed a couple months ago and I haven't had time to transfer my charts back to Ovusoft, so I've been mostly charting on FF. We're still TTA for a while longer... I'm tapering off treatment for vulvodynia (chronic pain) and my meds aren't condusive with TTC. Also a few more updates: I'm now 29 and DH is 30.

[tgr68]

Happy Anniversary, meagle!!

[PookiePrincess]

Just wanted to pop in and say AF came today! My first cycle was 33 days, Oed on CD22 with an 11 day LP. Not bad for the first cycle off BCP! I'm loving this already!