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

[TheMarieke]

What is the difference between dry and sticky?

I pretty much always have to wear pantiliners to really stay dry, so I've assumed that I just have a sticky BIP, especially since my cycle is so short.

But I've been wondering if maybe I'm just misinterpreting (particularly after O)? Anyone else not have dry days?

This is my basic pattern (estimations):
CD1-6 AF
CD6-7 or 8 Spotting
CD8-9 sticky
CD9 fertile CM starts
CD 10-14 watery/EWCM (typically O by CD14)
CD15-CD26, varying degrees of non-fertile CM, with a slight increase (ie: sticky to more sticky) in CM before AF.

I generally don't bother charting CM after O unless I were to get another streak of fertile quality CM (which hasn't happened), but I still wear pantiliners.

Any advice? TIA!

[SQ2]

TheMarieke ~ I consider dry to be CM that dries up on your finger. Sticky usually leaves clumps. TCOYF has some really good pictures of various stages of CM. So many times I have run out of the bathroom with a finger in the air to go compare my CM with the pictures (ok, gross, I know, but kemaji said, nothing is too gross for this thread. LOL.).

[akacharlotte]

So many times I have run out of the bathroom with a finger in the air to go compare my CM with the pictures (ok, gross, I know, but kemaji said, nothing is too gross for this thread. LOL.).

Raises hand. I've done the same thing!

[TheMarieke]

Yeah, I have determined that I need to do a little review prior to the wedding and make sure I'm on track with everything. Sometimes I wish I knew someone in person who did all this charting stuff, so I could really talk about it, you know? This thread is the closest thing that I've found to that, and I'm so glad that I have!!

Anyway, from what you've said, it does sound like I continually have sticky CM. Whenever I check internally there are always at least some tiny clumps, not just wetness that evaporates.

I'll have to make careful note of it this cycle, track it every day, and see if I do end up with any true dry days.

[Clattercote]

TheMarieke - It does sound like your BIP (basic infertile pattern) is sticky - I used to have sticky all the time as well - that's not the case anymore...

[TheMarieke]

I figured as much. I just hadn't really asked anyone who charted about it and thought it might be a good idea!

I think part of why I have that sticky BIP is because my cycle is so short! AF and my fertile phase end up overlapping, which kinda sucks. At least it might make trying for kids pretty easy when we get to that point! :D

[tgr68]

Before I got pg, I rarely had a dry day. Now it seems as though I have more dry days than not.

[blondeinnyc]

Hey Ladies-

This is my first post on CC and in this thread...I have to say that I am incredibly impressed by the amount of knowledge you guys have about charting to avoid! I have found all of your posts very useful in helping me get off on the right start with this charting thing.

A little background before I ask my questions:

*I went of BCP last October so I have had seven cycles post-BCP
*AF came right away with no problem after going off the pill
*I have always been VERY regular-I can count the times I was late or missed a period on one had since I was 12 years old (29 now.) :)
*For the last few months, AF has started like clockwork on the 24th of each month.
*I think I am a 28-day cycle girl since that's what I was on the pill and my body has pretty much stuck to that schedule.

This month is my first month of charting and I am currently on CD-18. I've never had to translate my cycle before and am obviously still getting to know what is normal for me. Given this, I really can't tell if I have O-ed yet this month. I had a large temp increase on CD-16, only to have it drop .6 the very next day. I thought I ovulated given EWCM, but the significant drop as well as the fact that it wasn't as high again today makes me think I didn't O. Given my very regular cycle, I was expecting to O around CD-14ish, so I'm starting to get a bit concerned.

I should mention that there have been a few things this cycle that may affect my ovulation date. We were traveling internationally at the end of my last cycle/beginning of this cycle during AF. Also, I have significantly increased physical exercise in the last three weeks (since AF ended) which could influence things.

So my questions...given your experienced eyes, does it look like I O-ed yet? Is it too soon to tell? If I have O-ed, what would my coverline be?

This is all kind of confusing! I really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks!

My Chart:

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/14532e

[kemaji]

Welcome blondeinnyc -- Given that you haven't had 3 temps higher than your past 6, I doubt that you have O'd. You actually didn't say where you had drawn your coverline based on your temp shift, but with a .6 degree temp drop the next day....

Do you have your chart online? Sometimes it is easier (at least for me) to offer input when I can look at the chart in question.

[kemaji]

Oh! And I just noticed that we are past 1000 posts, so I'll create a new thread shortly!

[blondeinnyc]

Thanks for the welcome Kemaji!

I included my chart in my post-at least I thought I did! (I copied Properties on my chart and posted it as a pic) I can see it-can anyone else?

Hum...I'm trying to figure out how to post the location of my chart on FF and I can't seem to find the URL to my specific chart. Shoot. Can someone help with that?

[kemaji]

I can't see the image and I don't use FF, but there are instructions in post #10 on how to share your chart. Also, if you want to post your stats for the roster, I'd be more than happy to add you.

[Clattercote]

blondeinnyc - Welcome! I can't see a link to your chart so won't comment on specifics - but I will say, international travel always throws off my cycles. Let me also say, you can be a regular 28 day girl, but also never O on CD 14 - I am usually a 28-29 day girl myself, but I O more around CD 17-18 - it just means I have shorter LPs. That may be the case with you - once you have a few charts done, you'll have a good sense of that... Glad you're here!

[kemaji]

Charting to Avoid Volume 4 is now open! You can find our new thread here (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=22136)!

[blondeinnyc]

Clattercote-Thank you for the welcome! I'm happy to be here! And you are right, I may just be a late ovulator...I guess I'll have more insight as I get deeper into the cycle.

Kemaji, I followed the "share your chart" info from post 10 (THANK YOU!) and I included a link in my original post. Since you just started a new thread, I will probably copy and paste my post onto that board so that I can get more input.

Thanks again for all your help. This newbie appreciates it! :)