Charting Phone Apps

[ThreeLittleBirds]

We just found out yesterday that i miscarried. We only found out a few days ago that I was even pregnant. My daughter is only 10 months old, so this clearly wasnt something we had planned. We were excited...but shocked.

So now that it looks like my cycles are back and I am ovulating (I am nursing still so my cycles were non existent) we have decided to do natural family planning. I hate birth control, and clearly we never use the condoms that we actually have. I guess I feel dirty when I use condoms. He is my husband....i should be able to make love to him and we should be able to do what comes naturally.

I saw the cycle beads has a phone app now, but its 2.99...and im too cheap to pay for that. Anyone else us a free app that they like? Or use something else that seems to work for you?

I like the idea of getting in touch with my cycle and understanding my body, and instead of throwing a pill at it, trusting it to tell me when i am fertile and to be extra careful when we get intimate.

[WifeofAnt]

I forget if it cost anything but Fertility Friend has an app that syncs with their webpage.  I have it on my iPod touch and you can update and see your chart as long as you have internet access.  I'd have to check though to see if you can input all of your fertile signs.  I'm not sure if you can.

[JMJ]

I wouldn't recommend cyclebeads right now for you anyway.  Cyclebeads is really just for women who have very regular cycles that are always between 26 and 32 days, and then it is 95% effective, quite effective, but not as effective as most other forms of NFP.  Since you are postpartum and recovering from a miscarriage (my condolences), it is going to be hard to predict how long your cycles are going to be and when your fertile period is going to be.  Below is a list of wikis to help you pick a method and get the resources you need.  Some of them are still a bit of a work in progress, but they're getting there.  Come join the Charting to avoid thread for some great support.

Reasons to Choose Natural Family Planning - Why would you want to use charting to plan your family, anyway?  Feel free to add your own reasons for charting!

Types of Natural Family Planning - It's not just the rhythm method.  They've got this down to a science with options galore!

NFP or FAM Methods While Breastfeeding - You have options in the postpartum period while your fertility is returning!

Resources For Learning About Fertility Cycles - Find books to read or websites to visit, find an instructor, post your chart online, and learn about how your diet affects your fertility.

Fertility Awareness Method - A quick-start guide to the Fertility Awareness, a version of the Sympto-Thermal Method taught by Toni Weschler in her book, Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

Commom Abbreviations for Charting to Avoid/Fertility Awareness - BBT, EWCM, TCOYF, and more!  Learn what all these crazy acronyms mean here.

[physics girl]

If you haven't charted before, I strongly recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility, whatever app may you end up using. It's simple, readable, but also full of helpful details like actual photographs of different types of cervical mucus that help make getting started less confusing. Lots of public libraries have it so you may be able to read it for free. It teaches the sympto-thermal method, which means you'll need a basal thermometer, but you can get a good one for under $9.

[ThreeLittleBirds]

I love that book! It helped me so much when my ex husband and I were trying to conceive. I was so amazed at all that my body told me in a 28 day cycle.

[CarsonBookworm]

I use a free app on android to chart called Ovuview. It is especially made for CTA as well as TTC. I've used it along with Fertility Friend and have not had an issue in the six cycles and counting that I've used it.

[morganxobrooks]

I use an android app called "My Days" that's free on my phone and I find it extremely helpful.

I'm very sorry about your miscarriage. Good luck.