What is my body doing? (chart)

[nemrac917]

Okay, a little back history here before the goodies. 

TTC #1

Me: 32

Hubby: 39

(both overweight, diet getting healthier)

Paragard IUD removed Nov 4 on CD10

Temping started on CD25 (had to wait for thermometer to get here)

I started using an OPK on my last cycle just so I could start to familiarize myself with my cycle in preparation for the IUD coming out and us getting down to business.  The OPK gave me a POS in that cycle right when I expected it to.  So far this cycle, I've had one day where it was almost positive (CD27), but nothing since.  While I had the IUD, my cycles were fairly regular, averaging about 32-35 days.  Before the IUD, however, I was as irregular as they come, with an average of about 4 months.  It could be anywhere from 2 weeks to 10 months, though.  My biggest fear is that without the IUD, my body will go back to that pattern.

I had bloodwork to look for PCOS back in 2006 which came back normal.  No ultrasound yet, though.  Recent thyroid tests (Nov 7) came back pretty normal (subclinical hyperthyroid).

One of my biggest obstacles is my job.  I'm a night shift RN, doing 3 12's a week.  If I have more than 2 days off between shifts, I'll usually switch back to a day-like schedule so I can interact with the real world a bit better.  So not only does my waking time shift around on a fairly regular basis, but I'm not exactly a good sleeper in the first place.  It's pretty rare that I'll actually sleep for 3-4 hours straight, as I'm usually waking up around 3-5 times a night.  Sometimes it's nothing more than to roll over, others I'm awake enough to have some thoughts pass through my head before I go back to sleep.  If it's a work night, I don't like the look at the clock (to see how long I've been asleep), as I don't want to start worrying about not getting enough sleep for work.  Ugh.

So between the sleeping issues (and not sure how much stock I should actually put in my temps) and my previous cycle history, can anyone give me hope or insight on this incomplete chart? <insert crazy haired smiley here>

chart link: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/38ffbc

[mamaforever]

Hmmmm yeah you're right that it doesn't look like you've ovulated yet.  I'm confused though because the paragard IUD is non-hormonal, right?  So how would it affect your cycles (how would you have regular cycles on it and irregular cycles off of it)?  Very interesting.  I'm sorry that your cycles seem to be getting irregular again.  The sleep could have something to do with it.  I would suggest to look into Vitex which is a natural herb to help regulate your cycles.  The only downside is it can take 6 months to 1 year to start working, but it's a very mild way to do this rather than taking something stronger that may be a shock to your body.  Also look into acupuncture, which many ladies swear by to help regulate their cycles and conceive.

Sending lots of baby dust to you!

[nemrac917]

Thanks for your reply. The docs (inserted in NY, removed in IL) were a little confuzzled, too, as to why my cycles changed so much with the IUD, being that it was non-hormonal.  Maybe having my uterus invaded in such an obtrusive way (cervix was NOT being accommodating with the whole insertion thing... they had to pull out the large dilators for me) was a big 'ole wake-up call for it? lol

I read about Vitex on here a few months ago and started taking it around August-September in preparation for having the IUD removed. :)

And some good news since my original post... it looks like ovulation is about the happen within the next day or two!  Here's to crossing my fingers and making it through the next 2 weeks without wanting to obsessively test.

[mamaforever]

That's great news!  I hope you get to start the new year with a + pregnancy test!