Where to start after m/c. TTC questions (pg mentioned)

iVari · #1 October 22nd, 2009, 04:37 PM

Hi ladies,

I have never before actively TTC. DH and I have been married for 5 1/2 years and possibly had a chemical pregnancy 4 years ago. I m/c'd 4 days ago

Anyway, I am so eager to start trying to get pg as soon as we can. I have bought a BBT thermometer that came with a chart (wow does that ever look confusing), I have been reading up on how to chart but have no idea of when I can or should start charting as I do not know what is considered Day 1. I will have my hCG numbers tested again in less than 2 weeks, so I guess that will give a good indication as to when a normal cycle may start again.

I also bought the Answer Daily Ovulation Tracker packet (contains 20 tests) and was wondering if I should just start testing daily now to see if anything happens or not??

I know it is way too soon for anything to happen right now, but I don't want to miss out on a chance while waiting for AF to show up. My OB said we could try again as soon as we are ready, he didn't think we need to wait for x amount of cycles.

This last pregnancy really set off baby fever for me. And I also suddenly realized that at 35 yrs old I shouldn't be waiting around for things to 'just happen', DH is 44 so we're no spring chickens lol. We have both wanted to start a family for years now, just always had life going on and never took it seriously in trying, always thought that pregnancy would happen for us when mother nature thought the time was right, but I know the time is right for us now

So my main questions are: Will taking the ovulation tests every day be of any help or is that a waste of time? When does one start charting and all that fun stuff?
TYIA

starrsgirl · #2 October 22nd, 2009, 04:47 PM

I just wanted to say that I completely understand when you say that your last pregnancy/miscarriage sparked baby fever. I also had one early loss...but then we I lost my second, it was a HUGE wakeup call for me!! Anyway welcome to the board!

I don't chart...I think it will make me too crazy. I do use OPKs sometimes. Do you know how long your average cycles are? If so, you can "guess" at your Ovulation date and then start using the OPKS maybe 5 days before your "guess". I guessed at my date based on my cycle length and ended up being accurate to the day when I used the OPKS.

I know lots of ladies chart...I'm sure they will chime in here.

TeresaSuperMama · #3 October 22nd, 2009, 06:32 PM

(((Hugs))) I am sorry for your loss. I have a pretty good handle on charting now so I'll be glad to help with any charting questions. I started charting before my hcg levels were back down to 0 so I think it could be useful to you even now. It's not really hard to do. It takes a little bit to get the hang of what it all means, but you can ask here or over on the fertility charting board and get some help with that.

As far as OPKs, you could O sooner than you think so if you are ready to try I say start using them. I'd go ahead and just start now because you very well might O before AF shows.

jaypbee · #4 October 22nd, 2009, 07:15 PM

i am an avid charter and LOVE it. i have learned so much about my cycles/fertility this way. i use fertilityfriend.com and highly recommend it. not only can you chart online, there are tons of questions and answers you can read through.

i've had 2 m/c recently. i read up on when to start charing after a m/c. if you have a d and c, you count the day of your procedure as cd1. if you m/c naturally, cd1 is the day you start bleeding.

i'm sorry for your loss. i hope you enjoy charting! let me know if you have any questions...

iVari · #5 October 22nd, 2009, 07:35 PM

Thank you and (((HUGS))) back, I too am so very sorry for your losses also

I'm excited and hopeful to be learning more about what really goes on in my body and the wonder of ovulating.

I'll start using the OPK's tomorrow and see how that goes. I will also start charting tomorrow morning. I'm not sure which day to use for starting bleeding, would it be the first day that I started spotting (which was last Thurs) or the first day that it was real blood (Monday)? I had spotting before the m/c and didn't really see any solid red blood until right after I actually m/c'd, prior to the m/c it was pink??

I did download the chart from right here on JustMommies and I also signed up on Fertility Friend, the BBT thermometer came with a few paper charts, so I'm thinking that I should mark that as soon as I take my temp and then log the temps in the online charts.

This is all new to dh and I, he says that he is fine with us actively TTC, but I'm worried that he may not react well to the pressure of having to dtd on certain days. I'm hoping that we can keep it as stress free as possible and I'll try not to give him too much info overload lol

jaypbee · #6 October 23rd, 2009, 07:53 PM

with my last loss, i started spotting on a thursday, but started red flow on a sunday (which was also the day i passed the clot). i used sunday as cd1.

also, don't be surprised if this first cycle is wacky. i'm a 28 day girl and after my d and c in may, i didn't get af for 34 days. right now, i'm on cd18 and still haven't ovulated. it can take several cycles to get back to "normal".

Kary♥RN · #7 October 23rd, 2009, 08:31 PM

Lorna, So sorry for you loss, HUGS. Welcome to the board... The ladies above gave you great advice.. If you have questions we are here to answer! Good Luck! I hope you BFP comes quickly!

Trish36 · #8 October 24th, 2009, 09:57 AM

Welcome and so sorry for your loss! HUGS!!!!
I counted cd1 as the day that I passed the baby. You could O within a couple of weeks or so, depending how quickly your hcg levels go down to zero. With my first loss AF came exactly 28 days after. I would start using the OPKs around cd10. Good luck and hopefully you'll get that BFP quickly!