New here with a charting question

[mama4peace]

First of all hello! I am so excited to find out about these forums. I have been a fan of the magazine for years!!! A little background info: We are TTC #4, I have 30 to 31 day cycles. This is my 7th cycle since my last birth. Now for the question: I am so confused when I may have ovulated!!! I had a positive OPK on CD16, but a huge temp dip on CD15. Also my body wanted to BD SO bad on CD15 and my hubby even commented how he could almost "smell it on me" LOL Do you think it's possible that I O'd on CD15 and just didn't detect my surge? The only reason I am asking is because on CD 20 I had another dip. The last chart I conceived, I O'd on CD21. I am going crazy trying to figure out if I even O'd yet. Can anyone help me???

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2b8058

[AdinaL]

The LH surge takes place over a period of time.  So, if you are taking your OPK at the same time every day, it might have started on CD15, just after you took your test, and was still going when you took your test on CD 16.  It looks like you had good coverage for having sex though, and I would say based on temps and charts (and I have read a lot. LOL) that it looks like you o'ed on cd 17, possibly late on cd16.  It is possible to have a pre-o temp dip as well, so that's completely normal.  Either way, like I said, it looks like you have plenty of sex at the right times! Good luck! :)

[mama4peace]

thanks! I am just concerned because I have ovulated as late as 21dpo. I took an OPK at 11am and it was positive. I am going to take one at 3pm just to make sure I am not ovulating today. This OPK stuff is so confusing LOL. If we don't get pregnant this month, I may skip out on them all together next month.

[AdinaL]

OPKs are interesting.  According to my REs office, the best time to take them is around noon each day, at the same time each day. I also found that if I bought two packs, and started earlier than usual and ended a bit after LH, I could see the progression of the line getting darker and then lighter. :)

By themselves, they give you a good idea of what's going on, but with your temps they give a great picture. :) 

Good luck!

[Jaimee]

Welcome to MDC!! 

I would say your most likely O day is CD 17.  If you disregard the more erratic temps from CD 7-10 then you have a pretty clear spike on CD 18.  If OPK's are working for you, you will ovulate within 24-36 hours after the positive result.  So the OPK+ you got on CD 16 would support an O day of CD 17.  Your CF was also fertile through CD 17 and started to dry up after that, another great sign. 

FF has not give you crosshairs for a few reasons.  The first is the erratic temps earlier in your pre-O phase, the second is the dip on CD 20, and the third is the OPK+ you got on CD 21.  OPK's are really not the most reliable thing for a lot of women.  Some never see a positive, some see positives for days on end and others get random positives well after ovulation.  I really don't put much stock in them.  Even though it is certainly possible that you did not O on CD 17 and instead O'd on CD 21, your CF does not support that.  The dip on CD 20 looks confusing, but always keep in mind that one temp does not a pattern make.  What you can do is fool around with your chart to see what is going on.  Try disregarding CD 20 and removing your OPK+ and see what happens to your CH's then.  You can always put the data back as you continue to get more temps and your pattern emerges more clearly.

You mentioned that you have charted in the past?  Have you been charting these last 7 pp cycles?  How long has your LP been?

[mama4peace]

Well ladies, I got a BFP! Thanks for answering all my questions! Looks like CD 17 was it :)

[mamaforever]

Congrats, mama4peace!!

[Jaimee]

Yay!  Congrats!!!  HH9!!!    Join your due date club for a great way to get information and support during this special time!