Charting, Trying, Hoping to Avoid: July 2006 - Page 2

[Undercover Hippie]

Well, I am not PG! The idea of an oops sounded kind of cool at first, but the longer my LP got the more I was freaking out! So I'm relieved. Don't know what that dip was but AF arrived today after a lovely 9 day LP. Maybe my body is finally getting more normal as DD weans more?

rosie29, I had a sticky/creamy BIP for a long time before I got my first PPAF. After a lot of observation I did treat those days as safe, because there really was a big shift (for me) between that and the wetter CM and then the EWCM. I did always make sure to verify that there was no wetter/more fertile CM at my cervix before we DTD though. So, it is riskier but can be done in some cases IMO. Sounds like you are okay with a little bit of risk though. Good luck!

[Ruthla]

Well Tara, now I can definitely say that you have NOT O'd yet this cycle!

[LydiaJW]

hey ladies!! Sorry I've been absent lately, my internet hasn't been working (grrr). Anyway, I have a couple of questions. First of all, how long are most people's luteal phases? According to FF, I ovulated on the 21st CD (which looks right...) its now been 10 days since then...are cycles really this long? If so, that whole "28 days" thing is the most ridiculous idea ever...

secondly, I am having a hard time figuring out how to assess my cervix. I've got the cm thing down, but the position, etc...i don't even really know what I'm feeling for!! Sorry for such a tmi question, but I really have no idea where it is or how to tell if its open, or high, or whatever.

Thanks for the help!! I am having so much fun learning about the whole charting thing!!

[Undercover Hippie]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

Well Tara, now I can definitely say that you have NOT O'd yet this cycle!

Wow, you're good! How can you tell?

Lydia, I would say that LPs range from 7 days (that's pretty short really, but might be normal in some of us nursing mamas due to the prolactin) to 14 days. So yours sounds just right. But yeah, that 28 day cycle thing is a bunch of bunk!

It can definitely be hard to figure out the cervix position at first. I will try to describe it as best I can, sorry if it's TMI. I like to check mine while sitting on the toilet, it seems lowest and easiest to find then. I check with my second finger--dunno why, maybe because it's longer? LOL. I can pretty much always feel it with that finger unless I'm ovulating. It's towards the back of the vagina and kind of on the "top" wall, like the bladder is just on the other side of that wall. I can judge what position it's in by how easy it is to find--if I feel it quickly near the entrance then it's low, if my finger is further in it's in the middle, if I can't find it then it's high. It changes from firm, almost like the tip of my nose, to really soft and mushy like the rest of the vagina. If you start right after AF then it will probably be lowest and easiest to find, then keep checking every day and you'll get used to the changes I bet.

Does that help at all? Or do I just sound like a dork? It will get easier with practice!

[texaspeach]

Lydia, the cervix sign is so hard for me to make heads and tails of! I think the more I do it, the better I get at figuring it out. I've been checking for almost 3 cycles now and it's still confusing. When mine is high, it's really really high and I can barely feel it, and when it's open it's REALLY open.


I just got af... and guess what? my cycle was 28 days! I've never had a 28 day long cycle. I'm kinda bummed about it, I was getting happy with every 31-35 days! I don't want to do this every 28 days. here's the chart if you're interested :

Is anyone on cycle with the moon? I remember reading about lunaception and how our cycles are linked to the phases of the moon because of the night lighting it provides. I think with lunaception you ovulate with the full moon and have your period with the new moon? Am I remembering that right? My cycle is exactly opposite that. Oh well, I never do anything the 'right' way :

[mamato2boys]

My cycles continue to be very unusual. Last month was the 40 day cycle that I posted about earlier. AF was here for four days, which is my norm. Then I had two days with no CM and now AF is back full force??????? Now I'm completely baffled! Never had a 40 day cycle and never had this pattern or AF coming/going/ and coming back.....that's really weird; right?


Any ideas?

[mamacatsbaby]

Hi ladies! Okay, newbie, newbie, newbie here... Would any of you fabulous ladies care to point me in the direction of a bit of info to get me going here? I'm getting ready to google some stuff but I thought I would get some input here as well.

What things would you say are essential for starting FAM? Also, I can figure out some of the abbreviations but not all. Is there a sticky somewhere? I'll bet in the main fertility forum, I'll check there as well.

I have a pretty good working knowledge of my monthly cycles and such but since PP I don't think I've had AF. Over the past few days I've been having tons of CM and I swear I O'd yesterday day or the day before, ouch!

We're using the diaphram, which I like, though I wish I could find a natural spermicide. My lady parts are pretty darn sensitive and I would not like to upset things, KWIM? I haven't really had issues now like I did before getting on probiotics though. I know that even with the spermicide we're using that with perfect use the diaphram's failure rate is about 6%. We're also using condoms.

To be extra careful we want to do a combo of the three methods at different times in my cycle. We'd love another babe but would like to wait till DS is about 2 before TTC.

Also, I can't really get to a class. Is there a site online that has teaching sessions and discussions that anyone could recommend?

DS keeps me pretty busy so I haven't really had time to go through June's thread so if I'm asking for a repeat of info already given, so sorry. Search is in the wind.

Hmmm... this turned into a way longer post than I'd intended. Whoops! I can be pretty longwinded though. Anyways, TIA for any input you care to bestow.

[cking]

Originally Posted by texaspeach

Is anyone on cycle with the moon? I remember reading about lunaception and how our cycles are linked to the phases of the moon because of the night lighting it provides. I think with lunaception you ovulate with the full moon and have your period with the new moon? Am I remembering that right?

Me Me!! I've been really excited about the fact that I've been on cycle with the moon for about the past year. I think it happened gradually after we moved into our house - we have skylights in the bedroom, and I think that's why.

But, I am starting to think that I am moving away from this cycle. I have a 12 day LP, so I think I've usually O'd a few days after the full moon, then AF starts with the new moon. But last month I O'd right at the full moon, and AF showed up a few days before the new moon, so that phenomenon might be ending for me. This month, I believe the full moon is Monday night, so I am a little earlier (I think I Oed yesterday or today). So, who knows, it might just have been a coincidence.


mamacatsbaby, the best place to start is Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

I've been thinking about getting a sticky started with a FAM primer. What do you guys think?

[texaspeach]

cking I think a sticky FAM primer would be awesome!

[mamacatsbaby]

Originally Posted by texaspeach

cking I think a sticky FAM primer would be awesome!

Oh, and thanks for the TCOYF (lookie there, using abbreviations already! ) rec!

[cking]

Ok, I'll see what I can come up with.

[afishwithabike]

Sorry it took so long to get back here. Seems that without the search function I am a bit lost. I have had two cycles of bleeding per month for the last two months. This month I was 29 days from the second cycle. Cervical mucous determined that I did not ovulate for the last three months. I have not temped in a while and I have NEVER managed to "find" my cervix.

Is it better to temp in the morning or at night. I know that the key really is to do it the same time every day right?

I have yet to read TCOYF because our local library has one copy for several libraries and it's hard to get a hold of. $$$'s been tight so I can't go buy it. Is there an online copy somewhere or place I could go to gather information legally without being considered pirating? I know I need help with this and the book would be helpful but I've asked for it as a birthday gift from DH. Hopefully I'll get in by my birthday in Nov.

[cking]

afishwithabike -
Just a quick reply to address your question on temping:

Basal Body Temp (BBT) is your body's temperature at rest. So, it's not just that you need to take it at approximately the same time, but that you take it when you wake, after at least 3 hours of sleep, before you get out of bed or do anything active (as this will raise your temp). It is probably more important to take it after the same amount of sleep, rather than exactly the same time every day (IMO).

here is what FF has to say about BBT.

[Ruthla]

:

So what do you think ladies- was this an infertile cycle? All of the higher temps were days that I took my temp later than usual.

[cking]

Ruth - I'm not sure. I still think you may have Ovulated around cd 21 - that would give you a 12 day lp, totally normal. I think that even if your post-O temps were a few tenths high, they would still be above your cover line.

-----------

Ok, so until I can get around to typing up a FAM primer/cheat sheet, I found a good intro on the ovusoft/TCOYF website. They also have printable charts.

http://www.ovusoft.com/library/primer002.asp

[gardenmommy]

How can I tell if my cervix is low or high, soft or firm? I am really confused with this sign. CM is no problem, very regular in that area, so are temps. I can find my cervix, I just don't know how to interpret the information.

[rosie29]

Originally Posted by afishwithabike

I have yet to read TCOYF because our local library has one copy for several libraries and it's hard to get a hold of. $$$'s been tight so I can't go buy it. Is there an online copy somewhere or place I could go to gather information legally without being considered pirating? I know I need help with this and the book would be helpful but I've asked for it as a birthday gift from DH. Hopefully I'll get in by my birthday in Nov.

You might want to see if you can get a copy at your library thru inter-library loan (your library borrows it from another library), since your library's copy isn't available. They may only let you have it for a couple weeks, so you may have to read quickly!

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

:

So what do you think ladies- was this an infertile cycle? All of the higher temps were days that I took my temp later than usual.

OK, after spotting yesterday, still no AF today. I'm thoroughly confused! For me, seeing a few spots usually means that AF will be here in full force within a few hours!

[LydiaJW]

afishwithabike:

I got my TCOYF for $3 on ebay. As long as you don't mind that its in mint condition, you can find a pretty good price if you look!!

[texaspeach]

afishwithabike: Like cking mentioned you've gotta take your waking temp, otherwise it won't tell you anything useful, except whether or not you're running a fever.
I got my copy of tcoyf at the used book store for cheap cheap.
as far as finding your cervix... well sometimes it is really hard to reach! I find that putting my foot up on the edge of the bath tub makes it easier to reach. Some women squat to reach it. Sometimes it helps if you bare down like you would if you were having a bowel movement. Once you're able to feel it you can start comparing it to what it felt like the day before (high/low, soft/firm, open/closed)




gardenmommy: For me I compare what my cervix feels like at the first part of my cycle (usually around cd 6 is when I start checking). At that point it is pretty low, firmer and more closed than it is when I'm fertile. As the cycle runs its course, the cervix will get higher and harder for me to reach. It also gets softer and more squishy sort of like your lips are softer than your nose. I have a hard time telling whether it is open/closed but I have found that the opening is not as rigid when I'm fertile, so I'm guessing that's what open feels like. It just takes practice. I just started checking the cervix sign after charting for many months without checking. In the beginning it was way confusing! After I checked for a month and had a point of reference, it all started to make sense.