Charting help? How do I start?

[Pinoikoi]

After having LOTS of boys, dp and I are ready to try again.. this time with charting help..

So, how do I start? I have the yellow baby book around here somewhere, I know I need a basal thermometer... will a regular calendar work, to record, or should I get something else? I have my IUD out in March, so I want to start gathering stuff now.. (no I have no AF atm, and am not sure how fast I will "level out" once my dohicky is removed..)

Just trying to get my thoughts/plans together.. DP is really nervous that he will somehow "disappoint"..

[brinalicious]

Welcome alaskanteach! I, too, started charting after having my Mirena taken out last July. It took about 40 days to have my first period after having it removed, and it's taken a few months of regular exercise and healthy eating to get my Luteal Phase to a better length of 12-13 days instead of 11. I have heard that some women get pregnant their first cycle after having their IUD removed, but I think many women wait until at least their first full period before really trying. I used charting to try to avoid getting pregnant until December, when we finally started TTC.

There are a few things you can do to chart. I really like the Fertility Friend charting web-program (if you click on the chart icon in my signature, you can see what it looks like). It has a whole tutorial that can help you get started charting. The website is www.fertilityfriend.com They have a 30 day trial membership so you can test out all the fancy features, but the basic membership is free. If you aren't into the high-tech thing, you can find template charts online to print off and write on directly. I do both. A great book you might like is "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler (sp?). I found it very helpful.

How many boys do you have? I have 2, and a husband, and I think that's a lot! If you have any other questions about charting, just ask. You might want to check out the "Trying to Conceive" sub-board under Fertility, too. There are a lot of really great women there who will be more than happy to offer you support and advice.

[notjustmamie]

I would second the recommendation for Taking Charge of Your Fertility. You can also check out the TCOYF website for some basic info and to take a look at the ovusoft charting software (an alternative to FertilityFriend). They also offer a free trail, then it's about $40 one time.

Also, you don't really need a basal thermometer, just don't get one of those digital ones that advertise how fast they'll work. I have found that they aren't necessarily accurate enough to catch the temperature shift.

[MoonStarFalling]

Fertility friend dot com has all the basic charting info and software you need for free. You could download paper charts if you don't want to do it online though. I ovulated 7 days after getting my mirena out.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by brinalicious

How many boys do you have? I have 2, and a husband, and I think that's a lot!

Um, well, I have 3 bio sons, 1 adopted son, and 1 stepson, so if two is a lot.. then..

No girls yet.

This is our last go, too. No girl this time then we start saving for an overseas adoption..

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by MoonStarFalling

Fertility friend dot com has all the basic charting info and software you need for free. You could download paper charts if you don't want to do it online though. I ovulated 7 days after getting my mirena out.

Can you give me a link to someplace that I can print off paper charts? thanks.

Ah, actually I see you did, but spelled it out.. I will try it from home, thanks.

[SoCaliMommy]

http://www.ivillage.com/fertilityplanner