If you ovulated late in that time frame - around the 4th - then this weekend would be technically the end of that luteal phase (plus or minus a couple of days). I think if you had fertile CM that week you would be right, on which days did you note it? Was it up until the 4th?

As for the not charting, I'm an anxious person myself and my cycles aren't very regular (29 - 37 days), after the first few months of TTC and always missing the right times I started charting temps and everything else and I think it's helped a lot. We realized when I started charting that we were always trying at the wrong times. We did have one successful cycle that unfortunately ended in m/c but if I wasn't charting I doubt that would even have happened.

For me, being anxious about everything anyway, I find that the charting actually takes some of the anxiety out of it. I can see where my temps go up for O and then if they go down again near the end I know I'm not pg. Also with longer cycles, when before I always thought I was late and got my hopes up now I know to count from O to the end of the cycle not from the start of my last AF.

 

Thanks SarahJen!

I am so confused about the Luteal time phase thing. I've tried reading up on how to calculate it and I just don't understand it at all. All I know is the average is 14 days.

I noticed the CM starting on Oct 31st but it was very EWCM from the 2 - 4th. So maybe I was right? I never thought getting pregnant would be so much like a science project.

So I should go and get a BBT but I swear my husband is going to make fun of me.

 

You can't really calculate the LP length except for to count backwards on cycles that are already finished (if you've charted) and see how long yours usually are. That, and watching your other markers for ovulation give you a better picture of your own cycles.

Fertility Friend has a free email course on charting, even if you don't do temping.

Good luck!

 

Yes, CM can not be coordinated to your O date. In a perfect world it would be, but you know how that goes. There are plenty of women who get fertile CM after ovulation, or at multiple times before.

I'm also an anxious person and a bit of a control freak, and I've found charting to be really, really helpful for me.

 

taking charge of your fertility says that your cervical mucus can be out of alignment with your ovulation if you have recently discontinued the Pill (presumablyt other hormonal methods too??).

i am with you on the anxiety thing. fwiw, i'm charting. tcoyf makes the case for how that can make lovemaking outside of that window less fraught.

can you tell what i've been reading for the past 2 days?

 

Thanks ladies! I thought that could be it.

I'll invest in a BBT thermometer - also thinking of getting some Pre-seed lubricant b/c well, a lot of BD can take it's toll. Anyone do the Robitussin thing to increase EWCM? Or Green Tea?

Definitely didn't just get off the pill (that was 2 years ago, we've been using condoms ever since) but I did just get off some medication which I *think* is the reason my cycle has been extra long these past 2 months (up to 35 days where as my norm is 29-31).

 

my CF goes with my ovulation, I think, but my temperatures don't. That is, my temp rises about 2 days AFTER I ovulate. That diagnosis is my own based on cf and cervical position.

If you're not sure about when ovulation happens, I really think it helps to have all the factors (cf, cervical position and texture, and temp).

--H

 

You can try taking Evening Primrose Oil before ovulation to help your CM.

PreSeed is great, but it's meant to be used internally. We started using it this cycle and that's when I realized you don't really use it for lubrication, though I suppose you can squeeze a little bit of it outside before squirting the rest inside. I know what you mean, though, lots of BDing can dry out what you already have!

 

It depends. I can have ewcm which is the most fertile cm for a week before I actually O. Charting has been so educational to me because I can actually SEE what my body is doing! I know in my case the first time I see ewcm I'm not O'ing but I'm using opk's and my temps and that way I know for sure when I've O'd and it makes sure I don't miss a bd opportunity!

 

Alrighty then!

Got my BBT thermometer and got some Evening Primrose Oil to add to already saturated vitamin roster that I take each night.

One Q about charting BBT - what happens if your morning schedule changes?

That is, I get for up for work Mon-Thurs at the same time (7-8am) but then on Fri-Sun my husband gets up at 5 am for his work shifts (he works weekends) and wakes me up.

How do you adjust temps for the sleep interruption?

 

greegrey -- here are the general temping rules:

1. take your temp at the same time every day. set your alarm for the same time every morning. remember, you can always go back to sleep!

2. do not get out of bed or do ANYTHING else before you take that temperature! it's pretty incredible what going to the bathroom can do to your temps.

3. take your temperature after 3 consecutive hours of sleep.

it takes some figuring out at first, especially if you already have little ones that get you up at odd hours or you go to the bathroom a lot at night, etc. just do your best to pick a time when you know you will have been asleep for 3 hours (for some people, that's 2am!).

once you get the hang of it, it won't be that tricky, i promise. just do your very best to be consistent!

 

Thanks Mosesface & Beckyphry!

Apparently I also have no brain. I literally freaked out that my temp this morning was 36.36 - until I realized I am in Canada and it reads in Celcius so that's like 97.2 F.

Yeah I am a smartie pants.