Chart reading help needed

[KM84]

Hey ladies,

I'm trying to figure out what's up with my chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/36665a

In the past when I've charted, I've o'd around CD20. My temps are kind of erratic, but FF was able to give me crosshairs for ovulation.

This month, I have no clue what's going on. I can't figure out if I've o'd yet or not, and it's stressing me out! The shape of the graph looks like I might have, but usually my post-o temps are higher than they are now.

It doesn't help that I'm using a different thermometer than usual (forgot to bring my regular one on a trip and had to buy a new one at the grocery store), AND I'm staying at my parents' over-airconditioned house.

It looks like I might have o'd on CD17... but I'm really not sure. Help!

[kittenbritches]

I think it looks like CD 17.  Do you keep track of your CM at all?  Did you notice any fertile CM around that time?  As a test, you could put in fertile CM on CD 17 and see if it gives you your cross-hairs.  Also, try putting your temp in for tomorrow at 97.8 and see if you get them... (delete these additions after you see FF's analysis, of course.)  You have a clear and sustained thermal shift, so I'm surprised FF hasn't given you your CHs yet.  Also, what method is your Ovulation Detector set to?

(If you're unsure what I mean, it's this area under your chart) 

[KM84]

Admittedly I don't chart CM... I can only ever get it by going "up in there" and I usually forget to wash my hands *before* going to the bathroom (don't worry, I always wash them after!).

When I put in EWCM on CD17, FF gives me crosshairs on CD17, but adding a temp for tomorrow doesn't trigger it.

Incidentally, putting in 97.8 for tomorrow makes my chart look like the mythical "implantation dip," but my temps are erratic enough that it would be more likely a "woke up briefly in the night" dip.

Thanks for pointing out the "ovulation detctor" box, I'd never noticed it before! It was set to "Advanced." When I switched it to "Research" or "Fertility Awareness" it pinpointed O on CD17, guess I'm off to read up on what the different methods mean!

Thanks for the help!

eta: the dip would be 4DPO, which is too early for implantation if I understand correctly... so probably unrelated.

Edited by KM84 - 8/24/11 at 9:38am

[kittenbritches]

So, this is just my opinion, but if you don't track your CM, I'd recommend having it set to the Fertility Awareness method.  That is based on temps only, where the Advanced method takes your other fertility signs into account.  Glad I could help out a little bit! 

[Jaimee]

Hmmm... my understanding was that the FAM took into account temps and CF, but used the typical 0.2 degrees higher than the last 6 temps rule to help pinpoint O instead of the more advanced techniques used with "advanced" and "research." 

Your spike on CD 18 is pretty darn clear.   Adding in CF data would definitely help, but I'm guessing if you eliminated that high temp on CD 12 you might get solid CH's.  Did something happen on CD 11?  Oh, and I wouldn't say there is a dip on 4 DPO- that's just variation (and yes, too early).  Implantation dips are generally drastic- all the way down to the CL or below.

Just looking at your last two charts you appear to have the "calm before the O" type chart where your temps are extremely erratic for most of your follicular phase and then even out and drop for a few days prior to O.  I've seen this with a few other people as well.  In this case, I tend to decipher the pattern by only taking into consideration the lower, more even temps when looking for the spike.  This method would apply well here.

[JMJ]

What day did you start with the new thermometer and the cooler house?  That is really looking like CD 17, and the lower than normal post-O temps could be related to the new thermometer or the cooler house.  However, if your vacation started on CD 18, I would be skeptical since a new thermometer and/or sleeping under extra covers to compensate for the cold house could make that much difference.  If your vacation started on CD 18, it doesn't mean you didn't ovulate, just that we don't have enough information to confirm ovulation.

[KM84]

Thanks! Curiously, when I eliminated the high temp on CD12 my ovulation day moved up a day, to CD16. Either dates look good though... if it was CD16 then we got 3 BDs "in the window," and if it was CD17 then we got 2 "in the window," one of which was on O day.

I think I slept through my alarm on CD11.

If this cycle isn't it for me, I'll definitely start tracking CM. I just have to get over myself first. I still think it's kinda gross. :(

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by KM84 

Thanks! Curiously, when I eliminated the high temp on CD12 my ovulation day moved up a day, to CD16.

If this cycle isn't it for me, I'll definitely start tracking CM. I just have to get over myself first. I still think it's kinda gross. :(

The CH's moved b/c of the lack of CF data, but I do not agree with that assessment.  CD 17 is the most likely, IMO.  And b/c you had a similar pattern the previous cycle it doesn't seem too likely to me that the new BBT or AC were affecting the spike. 

As for charting CF there is no need to check internally.  Just make observations throughout the day based on what you see on your panties and on the toilet paper when you wipe as well as the vaginal sensation you're having (often when you are fertile you will feel wet, just walking around, in addition to experiencing more profuse CF).  Here is my general guide to CF:

Dry: you'll feel dry all day and there is nothing on your panties

Sticky: you'll generally feel dry and there will be a bit of staining- usually yellow- on your panties.  It might be a bit crumbly or clumpy.

Creamy: generally you'll feel a little wet, lotiony in texture, could be slippery when you wipe, often it will stand up on your panties

Wet: you'll feel wet and your panties will likely be wet- maybe even soak through (I rarely get this)

Eggwhite: you might actually feel it slipping out of you througout the day and it might fall out of you while using the bathroom, stretchy- it may stretch from you to the TP for several inches- and is usually clear or yellow tinted, often quite profuse

HTH!

Edited by Jaimee - 8/27/11 at 11:18am

[KM84]

Well, now I really wish I'd been tracking CM, because this morning FF decided to move my O date to CD 22 I do not suffer the 2WW well, so the idea of being 4 DPO instead of 8 didn't sit well.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/36665a

I've been looking at example charts, and at my own past charts (I wish I had more!), and I'm having a hard time believing I o'd on CD22. But I guess only time will tell, since I haven't been tracking secondary signs.

I'm tempted to quit temping until the next cycle... this is driving me crazy!

[kittenbritches]

Originally Posted by KM84 

Well, now I really wish I'd been tracking CM, because this morning FF decided to move my O date to CD 22 I do not suffer the 2WW well, so the idea of being 4 DPO instead of 8 didn't sit well.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/36665a

I've been looking at example charts, and at my own past charts (I wish I had more!), and I'm having a hard time believing I o'd on CD22. But I guess only time will tell, since I haven't been tracking secondary signs.

I'm tempted to quit temping until the next cycle... this is driving me crazy!

I still really think you O'd on CD 17.  Don't quit temping!!  Even with the lack of fertile CM recorded I think your chart looks good.  Hang in there!!

[Jaimee]

Did you play around with your chart?  Because it has your CH's back at CD 17 again.  I agree... CD 17 seems the most likely by far.  And as Kitten said, don't give up on temping!  You will be so happy to have the data for future cycles (if necessary!!).  The more charts you log on FF, the better it gets at interpreting.  The steady climb you have going on now is definitely promising!  Keep us updated!

[KM84]

I did, I "discarded" that one really high temp on CD12, and things fell back into place. I'll keep charting, I think I was just cranky this morning because I feel like everything/everyone is just screwing with me. We've been mixed messages from our real estate agent on this one house we like (it was under contract but now it may be available), mixed messages from my husband (last week he wanted to wait a bit to TTC some more, but as soon as things started looking up for the house he changed his tune), and I'm not sure I can take mixed messages from my body on top of that!

[KM84]

Thanks for the help everyone, I got a BFP yesterday! It was pretty faint, so I'm waiting a few days to tell anyone but my husband, just in case it's a chemical pregnancy, but I'm feeling confident it isn't an evap.

The test was taken yesterday at 12DPO (assuming I O'd at CD17). I'll take another one tomorrow just to be sure.

[Jaimee]

Yay!!!  Congrats!!!     Your chart looks great!  You can always get a digi to confirm.