Ovulation Questions

[BabyMae09]

I just added my past 9 cycles to a charting software and noticed that my O seems to happen about 8 days after my period stops. So does that mean my pre-ovulatory phase (is there an acronym for that?) is 8 days, or 12 days (including my period)? Also, does anyone else O that early? It's outside the range for 'normal women'. And it explains why my Doctor thought my due date was a full 1.5 weeks later than I knew it was (with DD, who is now 16 months).

Also, my cycle have shortened in the previous 4 months, from about 28-29 days, to only 23. So, if my port-ov phase is only 8 days, then my luteal cycle is a full 15, long enough for a pregnancy to stick. But if it's 12 (including my period, which I don't know if I'm supposed to or not) than it's only 10 or 11, which is almost too short.

Am I making any sense? I'm confused, myself, so if I'm not being clear, just let me know and I'll try to clarify.

TIA for your help!

[karmab]

that's easy to clear up.

the first half of your cycle is called the follicular phase. it starts with cd1, which is the first day of flow (an occasional spot doesnt count, it's the day flow starts.) if you o 12 days later, that is cd12. it doesnt matter how long your period is, you dont start counting from the end of it, you start from the beginning. cd12 is within the normal range. early o is before cd10, and it's pretty unusual.

luteal phase goes from the day after o until the day before af starts. the day after you o, you are 1 dpo, or cd___, in your case, looks like typically cd13. you will need to have a l.p. last at least 10 days, preferably 12, so if you o on cd12, you would want to last, ideally, until cd25 or longer. if it is 9 days or less, that is something you will want to work on.

[Maurine]

Just to echo karmab, a luteal phase of 10-12 days should be fine, but might be a little on the short side. Sounds like you are ok if you are ovulating on cd12 and get AF on cd24. Are you still breast feeding? That can change your cycles.

[BabyMae09]

Originally Posted by karmab

that's easy to clear up.

the first half of your cycle is called the follicular phase. it starts with cd1, which is the first day of flow (an occasional spot doesnt count, it's the day flow starts.) if you o 12 days later, that is cd12. it doesnt matter how long your period is, you dont start counting from the end of it, you start from the beginning. cd12 is within the normal range. early o is before cd10, and it's pretty unusual.

luteal phase goes from the day after o until the day before af starts. the day after you o, you are 1 dpo, or cd___, in your case, looks like typically cd13. you will need to have a l.p. last at least 10 days, preferably 12, so if you o on cd12, you would want to last, ideally, until cd25 or longer. if it is 9 days or less, that is something you will want to work on.

Thank you!

[BabyMae09]

Originally Posted by Maurine

Just to echo karmab, a luteal phase of 10-12 days should be fine, but might be a little on the short side. Sounds like you are ok if you are ovulating on cd12 and get AF on cd24. Are you still breast feeding? That can change your cycles.

I am still BF'ing but my cycles (since I started tracking again 7 cycles ago, when DD was about 9 months old) have been all over the place, but overall, decreasing in length.

In order from oldest to most current cycle they were:

March - 27 days - was moving the weekend of period
April - 29 days
May - 26 days
June - 28 days
July - 23 days
August - 25? days (can't remember which day it started, because it was just a few days before our wedding and I forgot to write it down until a couple days ago)
Sept - 23 days

My cycle was always 27-29 days before DD was born. Does a woman's cycle decrease in length after the birth of each child? I thought it was just as you age, your cycle shortens.