~TTC with CBEFM- Springtime~

[babygrey]

The monthly thread for those of us who are using the CBEFM to help us TTC

~*~The Plan for March~*~

Waiting for the egg!
CLH_X3
iheartmyfamily
jenger


TWW
AmyPDX
MI_Dawn
bunziemom
babygrey


Other

March BFPs
theirmommy

How bout an intro check-in:
Date:
Where are you in your ttc journey:
Where are you in your cycle:
What's your monitor reading:
Upcoming tests/appointments:
Questions:
Thoughts:

and some info...
what IS the CBEFM?
It is a monitor that assists you at pinpointing the days leading up to O. It measures both LH and Estrogen and identifies a pattern for you of your fertility.
The CBEFM website: http://www.clearblueeasy.com/clearbl...ty-monitor.php

Common FAQs (gathered from multiple sites- not my personal answers)
1. It's my first month using the monitor and I've gotten a long string of highs and no peak. What's going on?
It is very common to get several highs before peak or even no Peak at all the first month. The monitor is getting to know you. Give it another month and it should narrow things down.

2. I haven't gotten any highs. I just went low to peak, is that normal?
Yes. It can happen that way. Hopefully, the monitor will get to know you and start to give you highs, but it may not depending on how estrogen is processed in your body and how quickly your LH surge happens.

3. Should I try to read the sticks? Do they tell you anything?
Really, you need to rely on the monitor. Looking at the sticks can give you information that you will find helpful, but until you know what you're looking at over a few months, it might not make sense. The pattern can vary for some women.

Here's the typical pattern:
As you begin testing, you will see a dark estrogen line and almost no LH line. As the test goes to high, it means that there is an increase in estrogen which is what ultimately triggers the LH to start producing the surge causing you to ovulate. So, when you're at high, it means that the monitor doesn't know yet when you're going to ovulate, but your body is gearing up for it. When you hit peak, you will see that the LH line is really dark (indicating LH surge) and estrogen is fairly light (strong estrogen), and that is 12-48 hours before you ovulate. That's why it's best to BD during your Peak

5. How long will it ask for sticks?
It will ask for tests in groups of 10 or 20. If you do not get your 1st peak with the first 10 test, it will ask for 10 more. It is programed that way, you can't test more than 20 times per month without resetting the monitor.

6. I always get a High reading after Peak- does this mean I didn't O?
No. The monitor is programed to give you 2 peaks, then a High, then back to Low. Once it reads your first peak, it goes on autopilot. Some women stop testing after the first Peak to conserve sticks.

6. My doctor prescribed Clomid, Femera, or other drug to aid in conception. Will the monitor work with it?
For some women it works fine, others not so much. If you decide to use it- even if the monitor asks for sticks starting at CD6, DO NOT PUT A STICK IN UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER YOUR LAST PILL. It may give you false peaks. You will also likely see more high days than normal and starts earlier because the estrogen in the drugs increases the estrogen in your body forcing you to surge (or get a peak). (High estrogen causes high readings.)

[babygrey]

come on in and join us

There were a few of us who said we'd be interested. I said I'd start a thread. Here it is. Ta da! (better late than never? )

Hope you'll all join in, just tell me where you want to be added and if you want more (or less) info on the top page. I just picked out some random info I've gathered on the net that seem to be common questions.
If you want your chart added, leave me a link?

My intro check-in
Date: 3/23

Where are you in your ttc journey: We've been not avoiding since DD's birth, actively TTC since I got my ppaf back in December. I used the CBEFM to ttc DD- it worked like a charm. 7 cycles. This time, I'm having more drama with it. I'm blaming it on nursing. I have severe endo and had surgical removal in October- we're ttc our 3rd before the endo comes back (I've been told 6-12 months is a good estimate)

Where are you in your cycle: TWW... I think... CD26, O maybe on CD9 or 15. My charting stinks this month.

What's your monitor reading: Today it read Low after 15 days of High. No peak this month, but I did a reset at the beginning of this month, so I wasn't necessarily expecting a Peak.

Upcoming tests/appointments: HSG & uterine venogram 3/24 tomorrow eek.

Questions: I was told the monitor would keep reading High until either I got a Peak or my AF. I'm so confused that today I got a Low... has this happened to anyone else?? weird.

[AmyPDX]

Date: 3/23
Where are you in your ttc journey: After several months of charting and observing, this is first cycle where we did an insemination (at home)
Where are you in your cycle: 3 DPO
What's your monitor reading: low (after two peaks and a high)
Upcoming tests/appointments: none with docs. testing at home around April 2 if AF doesn't show sooner
Thoughts: This was our first cycle with the monitor. DP and I had planned to actively try next cycle, after adding the monitor into our toolkit this month and letting it learn me this month. But everything lined up too perfectly (I usually have somewhat irregular cycles; this was has been the most textbook cycle I've ever had), and we took the plunge, using frozen swimmers on my second peak day. My temp went up the next day. Fingers crossed!

[babygrey]

woohoo Amy on everything lining up for you this month ahead of schedule- that's great serendipity. Fx that the cycle ends with your BFP!

I added you to TWW

[CLH_X3]

Check-in...

Date: 24/03

Where are you in your ttc journey: Came off B/C Dec 2008, By the end of Jan 2008 I had my first period but that lasted 8 months of constant everyday bleeding! Was put on Hormone Replacement Therapy for 3 months in June to Aug by the end of August the bleeding stopped and i started getting normal 25-28 day cycles back. I got my CBFM In Sept 2009, for 3 cycles (Sept – Nov) I used it and never got a Peak, Just highs. I restarted it in Dec but the batteries ran out and I took them out for more than 2 hours which you not supposed to, So I couldn’t use it that cycle although I did conceive that cycle but Miscarried at 6 weeks. Started using it again in Feb again as I got AF back straight away. I had a peak that cycle (CD14/15) for the first time! No luck though...Now on my second cycle since restarting it and all I am getting is HIGHS! ..I’m on CD19 and I really don’t think it’s going to go to peak. I did have a + OPK on CD12 though. :S

Where are you in your cycle: CD19

What's your monitor reading: HIGH

Upcoming tests/appointments: Nope.

Questions: From reading above does anyone think I should re-start my Monitor next month since its messed up this cycle?

Thoughts: The reason I think I have only had Highs this cycle is because I started taking 3000mg/4000mg of EPO, which is known to delay O

So How is everyone else getting on with their CBFM? Has anyone else ever had a dodgy second month using it?

Please move me to..... Uhhhh.... Waiting to O

[theirmommy]

Date: 03/24
Where are you in your ttc journey: This is our 2nd cycle trying for baby #4, first cycle this round using the monitor (but we conceived our youngest with it)
Where are you in your cycle: I'm on CD 26 and FF says I'm 4 DPO, the monitor points to 5 DPO and based on the patterns of my other charts, I think I could be 6 DPO
What's your monitor reading: Low after two highs, two peaks and a high
Upcoming tests/appointments: Because I'm not 100% sure which day was O, I'm trying to hold off on testing, but I usually start on 11 dpo. I'm thinking I won't be able to wait past next Tuesday **fingers crossed**
Questions:
Thoughts: I currently spend my spare time obsessing over every twinge in my body I was having phantom symptoms before I even ovulated!

[theirmommy]

Oops, sorry!

I should add that I'd like to be in the TWW category and I'm nursing my 23 month old son (though I doubt I will be much longer).

[bunziemom]

Yay! I'm glad this got started. Thanks babygrey

Date:3/24

Where are you in your ttc journey: Currently TTC #2. DS is now two and TTC was out of the question the first 6 PPAF cycles due to constant bleeding and 40 some odd day cycles. We have been seriously (charting, OPK's etc) TTC for a little over a year now. I did have a chemical pregnancy last June. Charting was very stressful for me so here I am turning to the CBEFM. This is my second cycle using it and I love how stress-free it is.

Where are you in your cycle: CD 3. Last day of AF

What's your monitor reading: Low

Thoughts:
Been taking fish oil, and B complex and have moved my O day up from day 16/17 to day 14 and have lenthened my LP from 11 days to 14. These supps. really work!

[iheartmyfamily]

My check-in:
Date: 3-24-10
Where are you in your ttc journey: 16 months ttc and will not give up!
Where are you in your cycle: cd 4

fyi - this is my 5th cycle using the monitor. it used to give me consistent readings of 5 highs and 2 peaks. the month of my hsg it gave me lots more highs and my o was delayed. i then got too peaks. this past month it gave me 3 highs and 2 peaks and i o'd earlier. weird!

What's your monitor reading: low . wish it said high or peek i always feel in control during those readings b/c i feel as if i'm doing everything possible.... then i fall apart during the tww
Upcoming tests/appointments: 3rd acupuncture appt on friday, taking lots of herbs. trying to convince dh to go for semen analysis, have a dnc/uterine biopsy scheduled for right after i o, and just got my 3 day hormone blood draw yesterday.

Questions: i'm really freaked out about the biopsy. i didn't think it was a big deal until i called to schedule it and the secretary called it a dnc. i asked to speak to the dr and he said its a test to see if the uterus is healthy enough to undergo implantation and that if i have it right after i o then it will not interfere with implantation in the off chance that the gods above plan to answer my prayers and give me a bfp. what do u guys think??

oh, and also, i called an endocronologist today to see if they do semen analysis for dh and the lady answering the phone couldnt believe that i havent seen a specialist and that i'm only dealing w my ob after 16 months ttc. i did have one pregnancy and miscarried so i figure i can get pregnant and the ob is testing my hormones and doing the biopsy and sent me for an hsg which was clear so i tht i was on a good path. what is everyone else doing? should i see the specialist?

[bunziemom]

wow Iheartmyfamily

I feel like I could have written your post! I too have a DH who is on the fence about a SA, I have been trying with no intervention other than my OB for close to 16 months and I too had a miscarriage not too long ago making me feel that "everything works" . Oh yeah and Im on CD 3 very close to your CD 4!

As far as whether to go to a RE or not, I chose not to because I hate the idea of taking drugs and do not want to concieve through invasive measures. I am a chicken and afraid of most medical procedures but that is just me.

[iheartmyfamily]

amypdx ur temps look good!!! hoping for bfp for u!

bunzie- hope we o together so u can talk to me out of testing when i'm itching to cave!

[CLH_X3]

Still High on my CBFM for me... and this cycle is ment to be over in week!!

[MI_Dawn]

Check In

Date: 3/25/10
Where are you in your ttc journey: We had a stillbirth (39 weeks) on April 1, 2009 and have been trying since.

Where are you in your cycle: I'm in the 2WW (although FF moved my O date back... twice...)

What's your monitor reading: now, low. It gave me two peaks and a high, followed by a low this month, but I O'd after that according to my temps. Here's my chart.

Thoughts: wondering if this dang this actually works!

[babygrey]

updated list to here.

Its nice to be able to meet you all. I hope all of our stay here is brief and peaceful.
More persies later. Best to you all.

[theirmommy]

Do you guys check the sticks even after ovulation? I know the manual says they can't be read like OPKs but I can't help myself from checking because I'm afraid I'll surge but not ovulate and then miss the real thing.

[babygrey]

Originally Posted by theirmommy

Do you guys check the sticks even after ovulation? I know the manual says they can't be read like OPKs but I can't help myself from checking because I'm afraid I'll surge but not ovulate and then miss the real thing.

I've been trying to read the sticks. It hasn't really helped me, but I'm not sure I've O'd since I started back with the monitor. I'm hoping to be able to match up my sticks with my chart...

FWICT, you're not looking for the LH line to be darker like OPKs, necessarily. You're looking for the pattern where the estrogen line fades in, gets really dark (that's your pre-O estrogen surge), then fades out (high readings) as the the LH line gets darker (peak readings). From looking at others' pis, it looks like, for some women, the LH line never gets darker that the e line, but for some it does. I don't think it means you didn't O if it doesn't look like an OPK, bc the one line is estrogen, not a control, kwim? and that's why they say you can't "read" them.

AFM, I'm trying to decide whether or not the bleeding I'm having right now is AF or post-HSG so I can decide whether to set 'm' on the monitor... I've done a complete reset on the monitor two months in a row and didn't want to again, bc I don't want ANOTHER month of no peak and then wondering if that's bc I reset it or bc I didn't O.. kwim? Buuut... I also don't want it to think I've had AF when I haven't really... any wwyd advice?

[theirmommy]

babygrey~ Thanks for the info!!

[MI_Dawn]

Originally Posted by babygrey

I've been trying to read the sticks. It hasn't really helped me, but I'm not sure I've O'd since I started back with the monitor. I'm hoping to be able to match up my sticks with my chart...

FWICT, you're not looking for the LH line to be darker like OPKs, necessarily. You're looking for the pattern where the estrogen line fades in, gets really dark (that's your pre-O estrogen surge), then fades out (high readings) as the the LH line gets darker (peak readings). From looking at others' pis, it looks like, for some women, the LH line never gets darker that the e line, but for some it does. I don't think it means you didn't O if it doesn't look like an OPK, bc the one line is estrogen, not a control, kwim? and that's why they say you can't "read" them.

AFM, I'm trying to decide whether or not the bleeding I'm having right now is AF or post-HSG so I can decide whether to set 'm' on the monitor... I've done a complete reset on the monitor two months in a row and didn't want to again, bc I don't want ANOTHER month of no peak and then wondering if that's bc I reset it or bc I didn't O.. kwim? Buuut... I also don't want it to think I've had AF when I haven't really... any wwyd advice?

Yeah the LH line always worries me. Mine is never DARK like OPKs get. And I know the estrogen line getting light or almost disappearing actually means estrogen is HIGH, not low. I always keep mine, and line them, day by day, and obsess over them. Because... well, because I obsess... that's what I do!

[bunziemom]

Thanks for the info babygrey

My LH line never gets darker than the E line either. I do know that I am O'ing as confirmed by temp. Hmmm

Question? how many of you use your urine stream to test and how many of you use the cup collection method. I just read somewhere online that the cup collection is more accurate.

Please move me to waiting to O

[CLH_X3]

usualy.... around O... the lines on the sticks get about the same colour for me ..