luteal phase...

Lav · #1 January 18th, 2012, 05:24 AM

Hi everyone,

I chart my cycles since I started TTC. My luteal phase in September was 16 days according to FF, my total cycle length was 38 days. I got pregnant that cycle and then miscarried in Nov.

I got my first period after my loss at the end of Dec and started charting again. FF believed I ovulated on Jan 3rd, CD13... as I continued charting, the temperature grew higher and higher after CD13, then on CD 19 I had quite the dip, and after that the temperature grew even higher than it had been before the dip, so three days later FF figured I actually ovulated on CD19 instead...

Now because of that, it shows my luteal phase was only 5 days, and I know that's NOT good...

Could it be that FF was wrong and I ovulated on CD13 after all?!

This is really concerning me because I want to get pregnant again so bad but obviously I don't want to m/c again. During my last pregnancy my doctor said my progesterone level was in the normal range but on the low side and she made me take progesterone gel. After the m/c she said she wanted me to start taking progesterone gel right away this time, when I get pregnant again.

Could it really be that my progesterone production got screwed up from the m/c or is FF wrong and I ovulated on CD13 which would make my luteal phase 11/12 days?

Belita · #2 January 18th, 2012, 06:48 AM

It's hard to tell since there isn't any data for CM, but I think that you most likely ovulated on CD 13 and just had a slow rise since all of those temps post-CD 12 are higher than anything you got pre-CD 12.

I'm actually in a similar position this month. I had an 11 day luteal phase (normal but on the short side so makes me nervous about future pregnancies), but am unsure if it's my new luteal phase or if it's just a one-off because of my recent loss. I don't have any advice for you, but I will offer some hugs.

I see you're on the Cape! My parents live in Marion. I miss living so close to the Cape (I love how Marion has the Cape feel, but none of the traffic). I'm in central Mass now.

.:Shortcake:. · #3 January 18th, 2012, 08:57 AM

It's really hard to say when you ovulated exactly. I can tell you that vitamin b6 is supposed to help increase your luteal phase so that is worth a shot. I would go ahead and start it now and you just take it daily. Another this is if your progesterone is really low your doctor might want you to start it 3po. I hope you get some answers soon.

Lav · #4 January 18th, 2012, 02:15 PM

Hi Belita,

I typed a post and clicked and it was gone... grml! Oh well, so here we go again... Thank you for your reply! I think I get paranoid because of my m/c... I already called my doctor and her assistant took a note and they were going to call me back.

Yes, I live on the Cape, it's a beautiful place! Let me know if you come down here some time, we could meet somewhere for lunch or something

Hi Shortcake,

Thank you! I already called my doctor. I like checking with her before I take any more supplements. I'm already taking prenatals, not sure if B6 is in that?!

Belita · #5 January 18th, 2012, 05:37 PM

That would be fun!

I understand the paranoia. I hope your doctor is able to give you some answers.

martilynne · #6 January 18th, 2012, 06:07 PM

I know nothing about charting, so I'm not much help. I hope you get some answers and are able to get pregnant quickly.

Lav · #7 January 19th, 2012, 10:03 AM

I have some news on this, although I have not yet gotten a call back from my doctor, but I need your "professional" opinion on this in regards to charting, so all you charting pros, please let me know what you think.

So I got my period this past weekend- I thought I knew my body and how I get periods, but I guess it's all different now! I had what I would consider a full red flow that day (can't remember whether it was Sat or Sun), cramps and everything. But after that day my period was so weak I'd almost call it spotting (still cramping, but light) - however, I didn't think anything wrong because that's how I used to have my periods before I got pregnant last year. They were alwasy that weak and could be considered no more than spotting, but of course that would mean according to FF that I'd never have my period

However, yesterday my period picked right up with a lot more blood and I actually filled a tampon overnight last night, which I have never had before. Today my period is much stronger and my cramps are stronger too.

Now... should I change my FF chart and call the first 3 or 4 days spotting?! That would affect my luteal phase length as well... I'm so confused, I feel like I don't have control of my body anymore, I hate this!

Should I wait and see how long this new increased blood flow will last?

What to do what to do

Belita · #8 January 19th, 2012, 12:13 PM

I think we're luteal phase twins this cycle. I'm actually having the same problem. Lots of spotting last week and on Monday I had a couple of hours of red flow with really bad cramping. Then nothing for a few days and my temp dropped so I figured I'd call it a cycle and put Monday as CD 1. Today I woke up and now I'm having much more bleeding today, and the bleeding is much more typical of a period for me. I was so excited yesterday to have resolution to my question about which CD I was on, but then this happened and now I'm wondering if I should consider today CD 1! I'm giving it until tonight to make a decision. If it keep up like this I'm just going to call everything else spotting and put this as CD 1.

Lav · #9 January 19th, 2012, 01:53 PM

Thanks for sharing Belita. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one having this "issue". I'll watch it I guess, see what happens, and decide then.

Just why does getting pregnant have to be such a difficult task for women who actually want a child....

Belita · #10 January 19th, 2012, 02:06 PM

I know. I also think it's unfair that people who don't want to be pregnant get pregnant and have abortions and there are those of us who want nothing more to have a baby and we lose ours.

I spoke to a woman at work who has had three losses and she said she experienced this same sort of thing with weird spotting that she thougth was her period but that it was obvious when she AF actually arrived.

.:Shortcake:. · #11 January 19th, 2012, 04:21 PM

Your prenatal does have some B6 in it but supplementing additional is what is supposed to help your luteal phase. Checking with your doctor is never a bad thing. I hope they can give you some answers. I know it's really frustrating when you don't know what is going on with you bodies ladies.

Belita · #12 January 19th, 2012, 04:55 PM

I decided today is CD 1. I hope that this is truly it because otherwise I'll be making an appointment with an OB!!

MauMama · #13 January 21st, 2012, 06:15 PM

The first 3 cycles after miscarriage can be quite wonky. That's often why doctors will tell women to wait 3 cycles so they don't think they're pregnant when they may not be.

The first cycle can be quite short, especially in the luteal phase, and there can be a lot of on/off bleeding. Lots of rust coloured stuff too.

As for charting after miscarriage, it can be quite hard. If it's not a full bleed, call it spotting. Once a full bleed establishes and carries on for a day or more, then I'd label it a period. You might need to adjust your chart a few times, because these first cycles are so off at times.

By the 3rd cycle it should be getting back to normal, but it may still be shortened, but lengthening.

Lav · #14 January 22nd, 2012, 06:24 AM

Hi Belita,

I guess I won't be able to change my start date - since the stronger flow only lasted 1 day *sigh*

Hi MauMama,

This isn't my first cycle since my m/c though, it's my second. And I don't have on and off bleeding either, never had. It's just very weak.

Quote:

If it's not a full bleed, call it spotting. Once a full bleed establishes and carries on for a day or more, then I'd label it a period. You might need to adjust your chart a few times, because these first cycles are so off at times.

That's the whole problem... I might call it spotting, but that would mean I never had a full bleed ever since I took BCP over 10 years ago! My periods are always as weak as this one started out. It never got stronger in the middle of the cycle before (or near the end of the cycle I should probably say), like this time. It's just very confusing.