how do you know when you are o'ing w/o POAS?

[natural4mybabies]

Hi!

DS is almost 6 mos, we are still EBF'ing and I still have not had a period. I did not get my period back with DD until she was weaned at 1 yr and she was not EBF (we had to supplement due to low supply).

When we were trying to get pregnant with DS, I tried using those ovulation predictor POAS tests and they never worked for me. No matter what time of day I tried them, for several days in a row they came back negative for a few months, so i don't think I should rely on them as a partial method for bc.

Any other signs to watch out for?? Or "chart" based on his b-day?

[curious&eager]

I love charting!!! You simply take your temperature every morning when you first wake up. Before you ovulate the temps are 97.0 to 97.5. After you ovulate they're 97.5 to 98.5. It's very obvious to see when the change in temps when you graph it. But, you'd feel more comfortable if you've done it before. The downside to this is that the temperature rises only after you've ovulated, so you can get pregnant before then. But, you'll at least know when your first post-part. period is on it's way. Check out the TTC boards and peek at all their charts for examples.

[tanyam926]

I could never do temps bc I was up and down all night.

Even before AF returns though I get signs of o like EWCM. That is the tell tale sign for me and I have gotten pg w/2 of my 3 w/out having a period to help me track.

[laurelg]

Originally Posted by curious&eager

I love charting!!! You simply take your temperature every morning when you first wake up. Before you ovulate the temps are 97.0 to 97.5. After you ovulate they're 97.5 to 98.5. It's very obvious to see when the change in temps when you graph it. But, you'd feel more comfortable if you've done it before. The downside to this is that the temperature rises only after you've ovulated, so you can get pregnant before then. But, you'll at least know when your first post-part. period is on it's way. Check out the TTC boards and peek at all their charts for examples.

This is not true for everyone. My pre-O temps the cycle I before conceived DD were 97.5-98.0, 97.4 on O day, and 97.8-98.4 in my luteal phase.

Charting FAM-style also incorporates cervical fluid and position, which are the indicators your O date is coming. I know when I'm safe to DTD and when I'm not based on the type of CF I have. Once I see a clear thermal shift in my basal (first thing in the morning) temps, I know I'm past-O and safe to DTD for the rest of the cycle.

OP, if you are interested in learning fertility awareness, I strongly recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.