TTC w/ Charting Vol. 20 - Summer is here, and hopefully so are the BFPs!
TTCers of ConstantChatter:
Charting Our Course to the BFPs
The fertility statues are known to work for some who rub them around the time of possible conception.
It is said that the baby is the most potent part of the statue.
So rub away! It's worth a shot!
Who we are:
This is a group of women using charting (temperatures, CM, CP, OPK/FM results, or a combination of these) to try to conceive and, along the way, are learning a heckuvalot about their own bodies! Many of us use a software program to keep track of our charts as well as allowing us to share them with each other. The most common ones are FertitlityFriend.com and Ovusoft.com.
Your threadmistresses for this thread are gymwidow and cowgirl.
To our members:
This thread gets very busy at times, so in order to keep things less overwhelming and a bit more organized, we start a new thread after 5 BFPs. A link to the new thread is always posted at the end of the current thread to help everyone find their way over. The threadmistresses would really appreciate it if everyone would post their updates in Red. That way, if we get a bit behind, it is much quicker to get the thread up-to-date.
Want to join the fun??
We welcome one and all. It doesn’t matter if you have never charted before or if you’ve been charting to avoid. I am sure you will find lots of help and support in this group.
If you would like to join, CD1 is the time to do it! That way, we can cheer you on
throughout your cycle, rather than 2 days before you test!
Please don't be discouraged by the number of posts in this thread. You don’t have to read the whole thread to join. Feel free to just jump in on the last page. Just read through these first couple of posts and post a reply with the following information and we will get you added right away. Of course, none of this info is a must but we like to know a little bit about one another.
CC Name:
Me: name/age
DH: name/age
Married since: date
Off BCP since: date
TTC since: date
Charting since: date
Known issues/test results:
Chart: link
Current status: waiting to O, What the bleep .., testing...
How to link a chart from Fertility Friend:
Go to My Chart. In the Menu bar on the right hand side go down to sharing- then home page setup, the link will appear in a text box under the heading "Your Charting Home Page Web Address." Highlight the link and copy it to your signature or a post.
ABirney
Me: Angie, 31
DH: Scott, 29
Married since: Sept 25, 2004
Off BC since: Dec '04
TTC since: Sept '05
Charting since: Dec 20 '04
Known issues: possible PCOS, starting Metformin 5/4/06
Adam's Pi
Me: 25
DH: 28
Married since: June 29, 2002
DS: June 25, 2004
Off BCP since: October 2002
TTC since: December 2005
Charting since: December 2005 (but we charted when we TTC DS)
Known issues/test results: This is my first known cycle since giving birth to my DS--I BF'ed him and didn't have a PP AF for 17.5 months....I'm still figuring out what my body is up to
Alioop12345
Me: Alioop12345 (33)
DH: Aron
DS: Jacob (02/03/04)
TTC #2 since: 5/05
Known issues/test results: Seeking help from RE using Gonal F, progesterone, estrodial, and HcG...probably going to use Viagra next cycle
Applebee
Me: Lori Ann
DH: Ted
Married since: 4.4.03
Charting since: since Feb '05
Known issues/test results: Day3 Test all ok, DH's SA ok, but will have another one done. Motility on the low side
Armadillo
Me: 27
DH: 30
Married since: 10/2004
Off BCP since: 7/2005
TTC since: 8/2005
Charting since: 11/2005
Known issues/test results: none
Berry
Me: Connie, 29
DH: K, 31
Married since: 06/08/02
Off BCP since: May 2004
TTC since: May 2006
Charting since: November 2004
Known issues/test results: None
byrd's boogie
me~boogie/32
dh~byrd/33
married~05.05.05
children~stepson and furbaby
off bc since June 05
known issues~miscarriage 08/05, fibroids removed via myomectomy 02.24.06
Bumble
DH: 33
Married since: 8.2003
TTC since: 4.2005
Charting since: 1.2005
Known issues/test results: miscarriage 6.2005 (8 weeks)
Charliezangel
Me: Emily 23
DH: Daniel 31
Married since: 5-22-05
Off BCP since: 11-23-05
TTC since: 1-6-06
Charting since: 1-17-06
ChicagoKate
Me: Kate, 31
DH: Chris, 33
Married since: 11.12.05
Off BCP since: 12.29.05
TTC since: 12.29.05
Charting since: 12.29.05
Known issues/test results: had a CP on cycle 2, took cycle 3 off from charting temps
Chris~n~Jen
Me: Jenifer/28
DH: Chris/30
Married since: 10/29/05
Off BCP since: 01/01/03
TTC since: 10/29/05
Charting since: 02/19/06
Known issues/test results: none
Current status: Think I O'd, testing 03/11-03/14
cowgirl
Me: 28
DH: 33
Married since: 6/14/2003
TTC since: 6/14/2004
Charting since: 10/24/2005
Known issues/test results:
CTs Punkin
Me: MMT age 33
DH: CT age 37
Married: 11/04
Off BCP: 12/04
TTC since: 01/05
Known issues/test results: diagnosed with premature ovarian failure 4/06
4/6 Lap - shows open tubes, small bit of endo lasered off
Moving on to IUI in next month or so
fsb2005
Me: 28
DH: 29
Married since: June 14, 2003
Off BCP since: December 2005
TTC since: April 2006
Charting since: December 2005
Known issues/test results: none
Gymwidow
Me: 29
DH: 29
Married since: June '03
Off BCP since: Feb. '05
TTC since: June '05
Charting since: Feb. '05
Known issues/test results: PCOS diagnosed 9/05; 50 mg Clomid 11/05; 50 mg Clomid 12/05; 100 mg Clomid and IUI 1/06; 100 mg Clomid and IUI 2/06; 100 mg Clomid and IUI 3/06; O'd on my own 4/06!; Gonal-F and IUI 5/06
honeygirl
Me: Anne
DH: wonderful
Married since: 2003
Off BC since: August 2005
TTC since: May 2006
Charting since: August 2005
Known issues: luteal phase defect (short LP & post-o spotting), in the process of testing/med trials
j*east
Me: J, 31
DH: T, 31
Married since: July 2004
Off BCP since: April 1, 2006
TTC since: May 2006
Charting since: June 1, 2006
Known issues/test results: Endometriosis, should conceive ASAP
Janu98
Me: Mona/27
DH: Abdullah/30
Married since: Sept 4, 2004
Off BCP since: Nov/05
TTC and Charting since: Nov/05
Known issues/test results: none
jenjen0713
Me: 33
DH: 37
Married since: 11/27/04
TTC since: May 2006
Jess71903
Me: Jessica (27) - December 10
DH: Tony (26)
Married: July 19, 2003
Last BCP: Date August 21, 2005
TTC since: Aug 2005
Charting since Jan 3, 2006
jessied1025
Me: Jessie (28)
DH: Jim (29)
Married since: Oct. 25, 2003
Off BC since: July 2005
TTC Since: Sept/Oct 2005
Charting Since: Nov 2005
Known Issues: None
Jjsanner
Me: Jen, 30
DH: Eric, 33
DS: Elijah, born 2/6/2004
Married since: 4/26/2003
Off BCP since: 10/2004
TTC since: 6/2005
Charting since: 10/2004
Known issues/test results: None
Jnshanna
Me: Shanna/30
DH: Jose/31
Married since: 10/01/94
Off BCP since: Haven't been on BCP for many years.
TTC since: July 2005
Charting since: 8/07/05
Known issues/test results: None
Last edited by Charting is Knowledge; 06-09-2006 at 09:08 AM.
Kanga 1622
Me: 25
DH: 28
Married since: 8/31/02
Off BCP since: 7/03
TTC since: 02/06
Charting since: 07/03
Known issues/test results: None
KristieB
Me: Kristie/27
DH: Troy/26
Married since: 4/16/05
Off BCP since: N/A
TTC since: 11/05
Charting since: 08/05
Known issues/test results: None
kris97
Me: Kristin, 31
DH: Ryan, 31
Married since: 5/2/4
TTC since: 4/06
Charting since: 5/06
Known issues/test results
lattee22
Me: Jaime, 29
DH: Brian, 27
Married since: 21 September 2001
Off BCP and charting since: Oct 2003; since first PP AF (11/05) after birth of daughter
TTC since: March 2006
Known issues/test results: none so far; conceived daughter quickly
LDS Angel 19
Me: Michelle, 23
DH: Aaron, 23
Married since: Sept 4th 2004
Angel: Allison Grace, born and died June 17 2005
Off BCP since: Never on BCP
TTC (again) since: August 2005
Charting since: Charted August, took September off, and now starting again.
Known issues/test results: None at this time
lilhimley
Me: Jennifer 32
DH: Erik 44
Married since: June 7, 2003
Off BCP since: many years
TTC since: August 2005
Charting since: May 2005
Known issues/test results: M/C by D&C 12/07/05
Lilo
Married since: 2002
Off BCP since: late 2004?
TTC since: January 2006
Charting since: November 2004
Known issues/test results: None
Chart: no link at the moment
miaclear
Me: Amy 30
DH: Dirk 30
Married since: September 18, 2004
Off BCP since: March 2006
TTC since: March 2006
Charting since: May 2006
Known issues/test results: None known
MrsHill
Me: MrsHill/33
DH: B/41
Married since: September 24, 2005
Off BCP since: October 2005
TTC since: May 2006
Charting since: November 2005
Known issues/test results: Diagnosed with PCOS 2003
MrsJackson05
Me: Jessica/23
DH: Travis/29
Married since: September 10th, 2005
TTC since: October, 2005
Charting since: Ocober 2005
Known issues/test results:
MrsKinnison
Me: Hillary (31)
DH: Chris (34
Married since: November, 27 2004
Off BCP since: January 2005
TTC since: December 24, 2005
Charting since: May 2006
Known issues/test results: none
Mrs Pell
Me: Cori, age 28
DH: Mark, age 35
Married since: July 12, 2003
Off BCP since: July, 2003
TTC since: "Seeing what happens" for about a year...just now actively trying
Charting since: Feb 28, 2006
Known issues/test results: none
Current status: waiting to O
MrsR
Me: Jessica/32
DH: Matt/33
Married since: October 18, 2003
Off BCP since: June 2005
TTC since: June 2005
Charting since: February 2006
Known issues/test results: None
pride&prejudice
Me: Rosie/26
DH: Gary/27
Married since: 5.28.05
Off BCP since: 4.23.06
TTC since: hopefully July!
Charting since: starting next cycle
Known issues/test results: none
Current status: waiting for DH to be off methotrexate for 3 months
Pocahontas
ME: 35
DH: 33
Married: Sept. 3, 2005
TTC and Charting since: 12/05
Known issues: Fibroids
polarama
Me: Jenn, 30
DH: Chris, 30
Married since: 7/27/2002
Off BCP since: November, 2005
TTC since: November, 2005
Charting since: December, 2005
Known issues/test results: Possible PCOS, but never confirmed.
polkadot
Me: Lauren 26
DH: Brian 27
Married since: Nov. 20, 2004
Off BC since: May 05
TTC since: May 05
Charting since: May 05
Known issues: m/c 1/06; Me: Irregular O, and low Progest. Clomid 50mg May 06; DH: Varicocele 5/06
Ptcrn
Me: Jen/30
DH: Gerry/30
Married since: July 30th 2005
Off BCP since: August 14th 2005
TTC and Charting since: August 14th 2005
Known issues/test results: none
Purplesunshine7
Me:
DH:
Married since: 4/5/03
Off BCP since:
TTC since: 7/05
Known issues/test results: m/c 6/2/05
RoJo
Me: 32
DH: 32
Married since: 8/02
Off BCP since: 2002
TTC since: June 2005 (some months not TTC)
Charting since: June 2005
Known issues/test results: No known fertility issues
Sebski
Me: 29
DH: 31
DS: 6 months
Married since: Oct 2002
TTC since: May 2006
Charting since: March 2005
Known issues/test results: High FSH level confirmed May 2006
Sherb
Me: Aimee, 27
DH: R, 31
Married since: 9/18/04
Off BCP since: 5/05 (BCP caused hypertension)
TTC since: 4/01/06
Charting since: 6/05
Known issues/test results:
Smittenk
Me: Alison/28
DH: Mike/37 on April 12!
Married since: April 03 2004
Off BCP since: Oct 2005
TTC since: Now
Charting since: Oct 2005
Known issues/test results:mild displaysia
sneak
Me: Kristen/25
DH: Jay/33
Married since: 04.04.04
Off BCP since: Jan. 2004
Children: DD Jenalyn March 12, 2005 (2 months trying)
TTC since: Jan. 06
Charting since: May 2006
Stevesbabygirl
Me: Heather, 26
DH: Steve, 28
Married since: August 31, 2003
Off BCP since: February 2006
TTC since: waiting for CD1
Charting since: February 2006
Known issues/test results: Endometriosis
TazLuv
Me: CM/29
DH: BM/29
Married since: July 2002
Off BCP since: June 2005
TTC since: Aug 2005
Charting since: 9/23/05
Known issues/test results: Loooooooong cycles
teacher_jessica
Me: Jessica/29
DH: Brad/32
Married since: 7/23/2005
Off BCP since: About 3 years ago
TTC since: April 2006
Charting since: April 2006
Known issues/test results: N/A
Tealynn
Me: Teresa/35
DH: Phil/41
Married since: Sept 2003
Off BCP since: years
TTC since: For over a year but just a couple of months w/ TCOYF
Charting since: May 2006
Known issues: no known issues
Last edited by Charting is Knowledge; 06-11-2006 at 10:56 AM.
* TTC is a journey. You will discover things about yourself that you never expected. You will face fears you never thought you had. You will find joy in little things.
* TTC can bring you closer to your DH, or it can pull you apart. If your marriage is not solid, you will find out quickly.
* No one understands exactly what you are feeling at any given moment, but someone can empathize at least a little bit.
* You will experience an emotional roller coaster ride. There will be highs and lows and fast moments and slow. Sometimes you have to wait in a very, very slow moving line. You may not even get the seat you want. It is not always fun, it can be scary, but in the end it is worth it.
* "Just relax" is the last thing in the world you want to hear from someone, but it is OK if you say it about yourself.
* There will be moments when you question your own decision to start TTC. You will wonder if you should wait or if you should just give up. Those are normal. But you will get past those feelings.
* The blue and green turtle likes to pop its head out! You will hear of someone's pregnancy and turn green with envy and blue inside because it isn't you.
* It isn't fair, it isn't easy, and it isn't pretty. But you keep doing it because the reward is worth it.
* You will be your best friend and your worst enemy. Your body will
surprise you and yet disappoint you.
* Some women do get lucky and conceive right away. Others aren't so lucky and have to struggle to get there. Hope you will be in the first category, but prepare yourself to be in the second.
* Once you decide to TTC, there will be babies and pregnant women everywhere! You could swear there is a baby boom going on!
* You will have questions. No one will ever be in exactly your position, so don't be surprised when no one can give you exactly the answer you are looking for. But there are people that can contribute, so don't be afraid to ask!
* Two lines on a pregnancy test is not the end of the struggle. Pregnancy has lots of struggles in and of itself.
These numbers might come in handy when shopping for HPTs.
The lower the amount of mIU measured, the more sensitive the test is!
AimStick Pregnancy Test Strip 20 mIU
AccuHome Midstream Pregnancy Test 25 mIU
Answer Early Result Pregnancy Test 25 mIU
Answer Pregnancy Test (Cup) 25 mIU
Clearblue +/- 25 mIU
Clearblue Digital 25 mIU
Confirm 1-Step Pregnancy Test 25 mIU
Dollar Store Brand Pregnancy Test 25 mIU
Equate Pregnancy Test 25 mIU
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test 25 mIU
One Step Be Sure Pregnancy Test 25 mIU
Precise Pregnancy Test (doctors office) 25 mIU
Quickview Pregnancy Test (doctors office) 25 mIU
Walgreen Digital 25 mIU
e.p.t. Home Pregnancy Test 40 mIU
Fact Plus Pregnancy Test 40 mIU
CVS Cartridge Pregnancy Test 50 mIU
CVS Midstream Pregnancy Test 50 mIU
Drug Emporium Brand Pregnancy Test 50 mIU
e.p.t. + / - Test 50 mIU
e.p.t. Certainty Digital Test 50 mIU
early Pregnancy test 50 mIU
RiteAid Brand Pregnancy Test 50 mIU
Target Brand Pregnancy Test 50 mIU
WalMart Brand Pregnancy Test 50 mIU
Walgreens Pregnancy Test 100 mIU
This is a list of some of the more common TTC abbreviations. I know as a newcomer to the TTC threads, it can be hard to keep them all straight. I hope these will help, and if anyone has any they would like added, please let me know!
•2WW: "2 week wait" - The approximate time from possible conception to menstruation due date; Pregnancy tests should be taken near the end of the 2WW. •AF: "Aunt Flo"; Your period; Menstruation •AFNW: "Aunt Flo Not Wanted"; the day your period is expected to start, but you are hoping it doesn't! •AO: anovulatory (cycle without ovulation) •BBs: "boobs"; breasts •BBL: "be back later" •BBT: Basal Body Thermometer; This is used to measure your basal body temperature, when you wake up in the morning, after at least 3 hours of sleep, before you start to move around; Use a special BBT thermometer to take your temperature because they measure the small changes in temperature from day to day more accurately than the regular fever thermometers. •BCP: Birth control pills •BD'ing: "baby dancing"; baby-making intercourse •BFN: "Big Fat Neutral" or “Big Fat Negative”; Negative pregnancy test. •BF'ing: breast-feeding •BRB: "be right back" •CD: cycle day; a particular day in your menstrual cycle (example: CD1 is the first day of your period) •CL: Cover Line; a visual tool used to separate the low (pre-ovulatory) temps from high (post-ovulatory) temps; a coverline is typically based on the temperatures 6 days prior to ovulation. •CM: cervical mucous; one of the most useful clues your body can give you in predicting your fertility; it can range from dry, creamy, sticky, or (the most fertile) egg white/watery type. •CF: cervical fluid; same as cervical mucus •CP: cervical position; an optional, but sometimes really useful, fertility sign; CP will generally be low, firm and closed before and after ovulation, and high, soft and open during your fertile time. •DD: "dear daughter" •DH: "dear husband" •DS: "dear son" •DPO: Days Past Ovulation; number of days from your post-ovulatory temperature rise. (Example: 1DPO is the day after your ovulation) •Endo: endometriosis (can be a fertility problem) •EDC and EDD: estimated date of confinement (antiquated, but still used by physicians) and estimated date of delivery •EPT: a brand of pregnancy test, or, generic for "early pregnancy test" •EW or EWCM: egg white cervical mucus; the most fertile quality CM; it is slippery, clear and stretchy, like egg whites; also EWCF •FAM: Fertility Awareness Method; the method of fertility and/or birth control that correlates the physical changes you experience during your cycle to predict when you are most fertile •FF: Fertility Friend, an online (free, for basic services) fertility charting site (website); (could also be formula feeding; check context) •FM: fertility monitor •FMU: first morning urine •FP: follicular phase; the phase before ovulation, where the egg matures in the ovaries •FRED: First Response Early Detection (pregnancy test) •HCG: human chorionic gonadotropin; the hormone that is present during pregnancy and what the HPT's and blood test measure to determine if you are pregnant •HTH: "hope that helps" •HPT: home pregnancy test; a urine pregnancy test you can take at home •IMHO: "in my humble opinion" •IMO: "in my opinion" •IUI: intra-uterine insemination •IVF: in vitro fertilization •KU: knocked up •LH: leutenizing hormone; the LH surge is what is measured by the OPKs; this hormone signals the egg to burst from the ovary •LP: luteal phase; the phase of your cycle that begins just after ovulation and continues for 10-18 days, ending with the start of your next period; during the LP, your body continues to build up the lining of your uterus, and produce hormones which would support a pregnancy; this is the time when a fertilized egg can implant into the uterine lining MBFP Mystery big fat positive- When you see a BFP in someone’s chart but they haven’t announced it yet •NFP: Natural Family Planning; similar to FAM, but with abstinence during the fertile period •O, Oing, Oed: ovulation, ovulating, or ovulated •OPK: ovulation predictor kit; tests for presence of LH surge that usually precedes ovulation by 12-48 hours; these tests are quite expensive and not always accurate (if you take medication or depending on your age); these are optional when charting with FF, but if your fertility data is not clear it can bring more light and help interpret difficult cases •OS: Ovusoft; charting software based on TCOYF •PCOS: polycystic ovarian syndrome (a fertility problem) •PG: pregnant •PIAC: pee in a cup •POAS: pee on a stick •RE: reproductive endocrinologist •SA: semen analysis •SH: "sweet husband" •SO: "significant other" •SYS, SYL : See ya soon! or See ya later! •TCOYF: Taking Charge Of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler; a book and website about charting and fertility. •TMI: "too much information" - There is no such thing when TTC! •TTA: "trying to avoid" •TTC: "trying to conceive" •TTFN: "ta-ta for now" •TTYL, TTYS: "talk to you later" or "talk to you soon"
HPT Sensitivity Comparison Charts Fertility Plus Pee On A Stick Mama's Ark Baby Hopes Remember, the hCG starts at 1 at implantation and increases as time goes on, so the smaller amount of hCG it measures, the more sensitive the test is!
OBGYN.net
Lots of general info on women's health. They also have doctors on line who
answer questions.
Infertility Sites INCIID
Pronounced "inside". (The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination)
Excellent national resource.
Resolve
Wonderful site with lots of infertility information and support.
I dream of baby
Learn the basics of fertility issues here. This site also has a great message
board community!
Fertility Plus.org’s list of female hormone levels
Starting your fertility work-up? Check out this site to see a list of the
commonly tested female hormone levels, the function of each hormone, and the normal levels of each hormone.
Shared Journey
Shared Journey is dedicated to providing quality information on topics such as
infertility, miscarriage, surrogacy, pregnancy after infertility, living
child-free, and adoption. Our information is supplied by well noted Reproductive
Endocrinologist's, Psychologists, Adoption professionals and links through
various sites.
FertileHeart
A community of people exploring holistic approaches to fertility. A site by
author Julia Indichova (see books above)
Specific IF Issues Soul Cysters
PCOS site with lots of support and info
Dr. Beer
Reproductive Immunology information, including lists of tests, pricing, local referrals
Yay! A new thread! Congrats to JodylovesScotty and Phillytiger! Two BFPs in one day! Let's keep up the trend!
~~~~~~
10DPO for me. Temp still up. I'm going to try not to think about it this weekend! We'll see how that goes! Good luck to anyone testing this weekend!
TTC w/ Charting Vol. 20 - Summer is here, and hopefully so are the BFPs!
It's worth a shot! 
