Did O finally happen!?

[longing4bb]

Here's my updated chart. Is FF usually correct when it marks ovulation? Did it finally happen?!?

Was the highest temp on there what I was looking for? Now I wait? I'm so hoping this was our month!


http://www.fertilityfriend.com/m/index.php?d=2011-8-1

[kittenbritches]

That isn't the right link to your chart.  On the left side of FF you'll see a link for "Settings."  Click that, and then go to "Home Page Settings."  It will display the link to share your chart at the top. :)

[longing4bb]

1/2 my message wasn't sent....
today CF is super Ew and for the first time I noticed my cervix is very soft....so I'm wondering if FF is not correct on the ovulation date. What's your take please?

[kittenbritches]

Once you've snagged that link, I'd be thrilled to take a look at it for you! 

[Jaimee]

FF is often correct, but sometimes I do not agree.  It takes into account a lot of things based on what you include on your chart: temp, CF, CP, OPK's etc.  I personally prioritize temp and CF over anything else, which sometimes will cause disagreement with FF.  Dashed crosshairs indicates that FF is unsure of your O date, but thinks it has a good guess.  Solid red lines means it's very sure if it's guess.  The link you posted doesn't work, so I'll take a look when you update this thread with a working link. 

As far as what you're looking for temp wise, if you only have one high temp at this point, that is not yet confirmation of O.  You need 3 high temps to confirm and then you start counting days to testing/AF from the O day.  Always keep in mind that one temp does not make a pattern- you're looking for a group of overall low temps and then overall high temps.  Variation and fluctuation happens and is nothing to usually be concerned with.

[longing4bb]

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/longing4bb

[kittenbritches]

It's hard to say...if your temps stay above the coverline, I'd say there is a good chance.  However, if your temps drop back down, FF might take your cross-hairs away.  Having so much fertile CM post-"O" is a confusing sign.  Here is some info about fertile CM after ovulation: http://www.amandabears.com/egg-white-mucus-after-ovulation.html

[longing4bb]

Temp went back down this morning to 97.00. Ill check it out... thanks

[Jaimee]

I'd say not likely at this point.  You're continuing to have fertile CF and that is a prime indication that your ovulation has been delayed several times and your body is gearing up again and again.  Just keep charting away and you'll catch it.  That's why tracking these signs is so helpful... you would be expecting AF at the normal time, but now you know that it will be quite delayed.

[longing4bb]

That stinks....
So how long after ovulation will I get AF? could AF come without ovulation?

[monkeyscience]

How long AF comes after ovulation depends on the length of your luteal phase - usually somewhere between 9-16 days, with 14 being what's assumed for the standard (though not average!) 28-day cycle most info about menstrual cycles uses.

You can have bleeding without ovulation, which is technically an anovulatory bleed and not a period, but would be when you start counting a new cycle again if that should happen to you. The great thing about charting, especially if you have irregular periods, is that you can find out if you're actually ovulating and having real periods, or just getting anovulatory bleeds from time to time. That's how I finally figured out I need to push my doctors about my irregular periods. I charted and found out I almost never ovulated. That eventually led to a diagnosis of PCOS for me. In the 15 months I've been TTC, I've only ovulated once on my own (this month, in fact), and once with medication. If I had my charts on FF I would show you, but there's probably a way you can look at some anovulatory charts and compare them to ovulatory charts so you can see the difference.

In the meantime, keep temping and good luck!

[monkeyscience]

Okay, poked around a bit:

Good example of an anovulatory chart (anovulatory cycles tend to be long, though they don't have to be)

Decent example of an ovulatory chart with no pregnancy (I don't think this is the best sample, but it's decent - the luteal phase is 15 days on this one)

[Jaimee]

As monkeyscience said, when AF comes depends on how long your luteal phase (LP) is.  Everyone is different, but the average is 12-14 days (mine is 10).  It is generally agreed that you need at least a 10 day LP to sustain a pregnancy.   Since you're new to charting you don't yet know your average LP length so we cannot yet predict when AF will come after O, but again, it is likely to be around 2 weeks or a bit less after O.

Also as monkeyscience said, you can bleed without ovulating, but this is not considered a period.  It's considered breakthrough or annovulatory bleeding.  It happens when the uterine lining gets quite thick and/or your hormones fluctuate enough to allow the lining to shed.  Just keep temping and tracking CF and you'll find out what is happening with your cycle.  Good luck!

[longing4bb]

I'm trying to keep tracking I'm just getting frustrated. The last 3 months I get my period on day 42/43 which is so long for me I used to be 26 days. . I'm not stressing but feeling like I'm not doing something right. Ill look into info you guys gave me and keep trying to see when it happens.

Thanks so much for advice.

[Jaimee]

Long cycles do suggest some sort of hormonal issue, but it may not be something that will get in the way of conceiving.  Are you over or underweight by any chance?  Progesterone and estrogen are both stored in fat, so having too much or too little fat can cause an imbalance in these hormones that play key roles in the menstrual cycle.  How is your diet and exercise routine?  As exercise is related to fat, too little or too much exercise can disrupt your hormonal cycles as well.  Also a diet lacking in certain minerals and vitamins can affect your hormones.  Or a recent diet change could also cause issues while your body is adjusting.  Are you on any regular medications?  How is your stress level and sleep schedule?  High levels of stress- emotional or physical can delay ovulation.  Even common occurrences like travel, injury, and illness can cause a delay. 

If you have been getting AF around CD 42-43 then we might estimate that your O day would be around CD 28-30 with an average length LP.  If you have a shorter LP (like me) your O day might usually be around CD 32-33.  So it's not at all unreasonable to guess that you might O within the next few days.  It's really great that you are charting so that you can figure this all out!

[longing4bb]

I am overweight. I have insomnia and have for 21 years(I'm 26). I average about 4 hours sleep a night. Some times 2 hours Max.I also have a very physicallly stressful job. The only thing I take every day is prenatals and folic acid per my Dr. I've been trying to eat better and exercise other then work...trying toget in better shape.

I had a bad pap smear in April and had a colposcopy done and since then cycle got so much longer. Dr asked me to chart so when I ho see him again in October he can look over it all to see what my body does.

[Jaimee]

Sounds like there is a lot going on with your right now!  I'm not surprised that your cycles are reflecting these stresses.  It's great that your doctor actually recommended charting!  That is so rare!  I've been to midwives that have no idea how to interpret a BBT chart before.  Please feel free to keep posting your charts and asking questions as there are many veteran charters in this forum who can give you tips and help interpreting what's going on before October.  You might also consider posting about your insomnia in another forum (like Health and Healing) to see if you can get any advice that you haven't already heard.  Good luck!

[longing4bb]

Thank you so much for always replying ill keep chartin . I'm so glad I found this site"!!!

[longing4bb]

Fertilityfriend.com/home/longing4bb

[Jaimee]

Oh the trickiness...  I still lean towards no O.  But FF gave you CH's b/c you're spotting.  With two temps well below the CL, I'm in real doubt.  But that does not mean that it is not possible.  Implantation spotting would occur sometime between 6 and 12 DPO, but it is really, really uncommon.  What I would guess is more likely is that your hormones are fluctuating quite a bit.  These surges and dips in progesterone and estrogen will cause your temp to jump and dip and they will also cause random spotting and erratic CF.   Based on your recent history, the issues you're going through, and the questionable chart pattern I would say you still have not yet O'd and that you may end up with some breakthrough bleeding.  But, time will tell us... if your temps go back up and your spotting doesn't turn into full red flow, you could try testing in 5-7 days to confirm.