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CHARTING TTA-wanna start a thread?

post #1 of 159
2/27/04 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 
Is anyone interested in starting a thread for those charting to avoid using the FAM?

I am reading the book so I am a beginner but I think it would be nice to have a thread where we can come for support and questions.

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post #2 of 159
2/27/04 at 9:45pm
Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!!! I have been charting for about 2 years both to avoid and concieve. Right now I am charting to avoid and am having a BIG problem I have just found out I have minor fibroids, and they are causing me to spot throughout my cycle. How the hell am I supposed to find fertile mucous if I am always spotting I have 3 kids already, the first 2 are 13 months apart and then i managed to space 2 and 3 2 and 1/2 years. I do not want another baby this year!, yet I am already returning to fertility and have no clue when I am ovulating until after the fact.
post #3 of 159
2/28/04 at 12:46am
Thread Starter 
Great!!

I just started so my chart is kind of skimpy on info. Are there any other charting tta'ers out there?
post #4 of 159
3/4/04 at 5:56pm
Yeah I'm interested! I'm really new at charting, and I could use some help and support.
post #5 of 159
3/4/04 at 7:53pm
I have been avoiding for the past year, but this month I switched to attempting - so this won't be the thread for me! Hahaha (currently 4 days past O, fingers crossed)

The best reference I have found is the Taking Charge of Your Fertility book - there is also a website - www.tcoyf.com

I don't think I'll ever use hormonal BC again - I much prefer charting with occassional condom use.
post #6 of 159
3/5/04 at 5:17pm
I'm not charting yet, just learning... I really want to learn about Natural Family Planning. Thanks for the book reference Teensy. What are you reading EBM?

What I'm wondering (and maybe you ladies can help me out here) is if my EBF is going to make it hard(er) for me to chart and figure things out??

DD is 15 mos old and still nurses quite a bit.
post #7 of 159
3/5/04 at 7:41pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Ladies,

I am briefly responding right now because of a lack of time. I am reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility and still learning this whole charting thing.

I am breastfeeding, so things may be a little tricky for me. I am also having problems taking my temperature at the same time consistently.

I have to update the chart on my link too. I had a question about the cervical mucous. If it seems lotiony but seems to rub into your skin is it cervical fluid or just vaginal fluid?

I will post again later.
post #8 of 159
3/5/04 at 7:45pm
Thread Starter 
punkprincessesmama

There is a specific section in the book that deals with charting while breastfeeding and depends on how often you breastfeed and whether or not your menstrual cycle has returned. I think it is a little more tricky for us breastfeeders but we can still learn it.
post #9 of 159
3/6/04 at 1:59am
That's the question I keep wondering about. I had a baby really recently (in Dec.) but I'm already into my second cycle. (?!?) He nurses all the time, and is exclusively bf, so how do I translate that into charting? ( And all the aside issues of waking up frequently in the night etc. And more specifically having a baby latch himself on before I get a chance to temp.)

I originally started reading TCOYF a year and half ago, but got sidetracked. (Well really I had a house fire, but that's a good reason right?) And when I thought about it again, oops! I was pg!

Anyone have a preference between digital and glass thermometers? A friend is having trouble seeing her thermal shift with digital, and switched to glass, but I'm not quite sure the 5 min. required for glass is do-able for me.
post #10 of 159
3/7/04 at 9:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally posted by Mavournin
That's the question I keep wondering about. I had a baby really recently (in Dec.) but I'm already into my second cycle. (?!?) He nurses all the time, and is exclusively bf, so how do I translate that into charting? ( And all the aside issues of waking up frequently in the night etc. And more specifically having a baby latch himself on before I get a chance to temp.)

Anyone have a preference between digital and glass thermometers? A friend is having trouble seeing her thermal shift with digital, and switched to glass, but I'm not quite sure the 5 min. required for glass is do-able for me.
We can learn together because I am still reading the book and unfortunately do not have all the answers to your questions yet. But you mentioned that you are alread in your second cycle. So from what I have learned so far you should be able to chart--but things are little different for women who are breastfeeding. So it would be wise to rack up several charts before completely relying on the method. Once you have several charts under your belt than you can look for a pattern.

I have only tried the digital thermomenter--I didn't want to fool around with the glass because of the 5 minute wait. (unless I need to)

I am having trouble taking my temperature at a specific time although I am doing better finding and determing the height and softness of my cervix.
post #11 of 159
3/9/04 at 2:44pm
Quote:
I am having trouble taking my temperature at a specific time although I am doing better finding and determing the height and softness of my cervix.
My only solution, after reading TCOYF a little more, is to temp really early in the morning. DS always wakes up around 5 or so to nurse, and so I figured that is my first waking, even if I do go back to sleep later. I noticed that my temps were REALLY low (like in the 95s) if I waited until I woke again, and I figured that it might be because I nursed earlier.

I only wish that I could FIND my cervix! I'm in a pre-ovulatory phase, so it should be really low, but it's just a little beyond my reach. I've been told that I have a flipped back uterus, and I can tell that I can't really feel it because of this. I'm hoping it'll get easier with time, but has anyone had experience with this?
post #12 of 159
3/10/04 at 2:32pm
EBM - Thanks for the support and book suggestion. This is all on hold for me as we are moving next week (kind of sudden) and I don't have time to read and learn right now.

This really does seem to be the answer for us though sooooo....

I'll be back!
post #13 of 159
3/14/04 at 5:08pm
I started charting to avoid in February of 2003. I had a chem pg in March of 2003. In April I ovulated at cd 21, I think. In May, I ovulated on cd 11 Which is why we have Bryce

I was bfing my 10 month old when I started who was a very frequent night waker. This babe sleeps better so we'll see how it goes.

My temps were a little wonky with Tracy but you could still detect ovulation by it. My ppaf has not returned but I expect it to any day. With my ds1 it returned at 6 weeks. I'm just biding my time now Oh, I pretty much become instantly fertile :
post #14 of 159
4/22/04 at 12:35am

TTA with NFP. Me too...

I have not actually gotten my act together to start charting, but I am starting to. DD1 had just been conceived when I started charting in earnest. Now, at 3-1/2 weeks postpartum, I just starting menstruating again... so I know I have got to get serious quick. I'm thinking about the OvuSoft software so that I can be diligent about it... and get DH involved.

-- C
post #15 of 159
4/22/04 at 12:36am
I have charted a full cycle and had my second af since having Bryce. It appears I'm not ovulting...which is fine by me
post #16 of 159
4/22/04 at 12:41pm
I'm TTA! I have read three books on NFP. "Your Fertility Signals", "Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing", and TCOYF. It didn't all come together for me til I read TCOYF. I am now on my second cycle of charting. I'm getting married next month, and we plan on continuing TTA for a couple years, at least. Right now we're using condoms all the time, and I'm hoping that we can stop using them at least some of the time after we get married.

Here's a link on LAM which might be helpful for some of the breastfeeders: http://www.nd.edu/~mmeineke/kelly/lam/lam.html
post #17 of 159
5/25/04 at 8:48pm
Hey everyone, I'm back! I just finished TCOYF and am charting my first cycle. Is anyone still interested?
post #18 of 159
5/26/04 at 12:03am
I'm definitely interested. My chart is the weirdest thing I've ever seen. One full month and I've not had a temp over 96.7??????

Am I alive?

I am nursing two, and no cycle in sight.
post #19 of 159
5/26/04 at 2:18am
Only boys: Have you had your thyroid checked? I know that hypthyroid sometimes causes low temps.

As for me, I'm giving up this cycle, seeing as I'm getting married in 4 days, and my sleep cycle is all out of whack. I also think this cycle is annovulatory. I'll be back after af!
post #20 of 159
5/26/04 at 8:47am
Hum. I haven't had my thyroid checked. Perhaps I should. If it helps keep me not pregnant, perhaps I won't! I have 2 birth control babies. Even condoms for us created a baby on DAY 8 of my cycle.

Best wishes for your wedding! You sound so calm!
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Pregnancy and Birth › Fertility › Family Planning › CHARTING TTA-wanna start a thread?