How do I figure out my "cycle length"?

[melon]

Maybe a dumb question. But we are ttc #2, and my period is still pretty irregular. I'm trying to start charting it so I know when it's go time.
So, I'm on babycenter dot com, ugh, but they have the calculator...it asks for the date of my last period, and my cycle length. so do i count from the date my period started, ended, or what?
thanks!

[karmab]

use your last full cycle- the one before this one. it would be counting from the first day- the day af started- through till the last day- the day before the next (current cycle's) af started. if you are really irregular, you might have to give them an estimate, maybe?

[karmab]

im not familiar with babycenter, but fertilityfriend.com is excellent software, btw- and it's free, unless you choose to go with the upgraded version. you get a free 30 day trial of the vip version when you sign up so you can decide after that if you want to keep it free, or pay - it's a small fee for the upgrade. good luck!

here's what it looks like, if you havent seen it- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2caf4e

[littlest birds]

if i am thinking right the kind of calculator they have estimates a fertile range based on "typical" ovulation day/luteal period length. that estimate is pretty rough and only works if you have regular cycles. I second karmab on temping with FF, if you have irregular cycles then temping is the most accurate way to know when you're fertile.

but yes you count from the day your period started. i think babycenter will assume you ovulate approx. 14 days before your period starts, if it were going to start the same day as last time.

[luminesce]

chart, chart, chart... I highly recommend the book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' - it helped me conceive #1.

[~Adorkable~]

Yeah that book rocks, should be required reading for every girl and woman

[forthekids123]

Originally Posted by luminesce

chart, chart, chart... I highly recommend the book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' - it helped me conceive #1.

[melon]

thanks, girls. you've all been very helpful. my library has that book and i just requested a hold on it, so i can go pick it up this afternoon.
Wish me luck.