Tracking cycles questions

[mamahen2coop]

Hopefully I dont have to track it anymore (2ww!) but I'm new to this and I'm wondering a couple things.

What does the Luteal phase length have to do with it?

If DS is still up (usually) once a night to nurse, and twice a week I have to get up early for work, how do I track temp?

I think I have a handle on how to tell cervical changes and mucous changes but say I get egg white and softened cervix, what does that mean? 

ETA: what tests are the best to get and where do I get them

I'm sure I'll think of more as I lurk more but any ideas or favorite resources are appreciated.

[Attached2Elijah]

The luteal phase length is the time from when you O to AF.... it is important because it needs to be at least 10 days for the egg to implant properly. Some say 12 days but I got my BFP with my DD having only a 10 day LP so I know it can happen! Generally, they are not over 14-16 days ... so if it goes that long, you should be testing .... or you probably have your O date wrong.

If you are able to get at least 3 hours consecutive sleep, try taking it after doing so... a lot of women find that works just fine for them. I try to take mine at the same time every morning at like 5am because that is when I usually get my longest stretch of sleep. (My dd still wakes a lot and I have insomnia) I just set my alarm for that time every morning. Some mornings I actually have to get up at that time, some I don't and go back to sleep. :)

If you get ewcm and a high/soft/open cervix, that generally means you are fertile and getting ready to ovulate so get to BDing!!

I have found that the most sensitive and reliable tests are the equates from walmart or a CBE digital... but the internet cheapies are good for early, obsessive testing as well and there are kinds of places to get those online. I don't, personally, use those so I can't give you a good site for that.

Good luck!

[mamahen2coop]

thanks.  I've pretty much only been using CP and CM as indicators since I started loosely tracking about 6 months ago.  I've been thinking O around CD 13-16 I wouldn't be surprised if I have the O date wrong because from what I've been noticing, it'd make my LP about 16-18 days.  And from what little I read last night, it seems like the LP shouldn't deviate too much.  I'm fully prepared for a BFN this month so hopefully I can get a better hang of charting soon.

[Attached2Elijah]

Yeah, EWCM and CM often come a few days before O... so a lot of people assume they are Oing when they show fertile signs. Of course, this IS the best time to BD so it doesn't make THAT big of a difference. Sometimes it can take a few days for the temp to shift though. It takes a few cycles to get your normal with charting but if you aren't getting pregnant quickly, I highly recommend it. I have learned SO much about my body through charting. Good luck!

[mamahen2coop]

Is FF the best place to chart?  I was using it mostly as a way to know when not to BD but then the trial subscription ran out and I haven't used it since.

Also, for temp monitoring, it's OK to set my alarm for a time when I've usually been sleeping for at least 3 hrs and haven't gotten up yet?  Probably 5am for me.  Is that ok or does it need to be closer to the time you usually get up?  I usually get up at 7 but 2 days a week I'm up at 5:10 for work and frequently DS is up for a snack around that time.

[Attached2Elijah]

I like FF ... I use the free version most times. Right now I have 30 days free from a promotion game I won but the basic membership is fine... the rest is just bells and whistles you don't really need.

Yep, that plan for the alarm sounds perfect. As long as it's close to the same time each day and after a good stretch of sleep, you are good. It doesn't have to be close to when you get up at all. I know plenty of women keep their alarm clocks on during the weekend, take their temp and then go back to sleep for several more hours. Because I often have insomnia, I set mine for 4:00am because most mornings that's the time I normally wake up... other mornings I take the temp and go back to sleep for quite some time... You are wanting your at rest temperature. It's usually the lowest after your largest amount of sleep so it doesn't have to be anywhere near your normal wake-up time to still be accurate.