[forever_loved25]

I just wanted to say hi to everyone, since this is where I'll most likely be posting at most of the time, well and the baby names forum. I've been TTC for 7 complete months, this is my 8th cycle. My name is Amber, I am married to a man named Ryan, although I know that I will probably be refering to him most of the tim as DH.
I had a miscarriage, in March, and strongly feel that it was a boy and have named him Braden Alexander. I am going to start charting on my next cycle.... even though I hope I don't get my next cycle for 9 months. So if any of you have any tips for charting, please let me know.... it would help me out alot.

[LindsLuvsSi]

Hi and sorry about your loss.

Hi I'm Lindsey 21 married to DH Simon 22 since March 2007. we're trying to conceive our first and we're on cycle 12 in a matter of 9 months....I hope my next cycle doesn't come for nine months too!!! We're hoping we get an extra special/wanted the best Christmas present ever!

charting tips.....get an account with fertilityfriend.com (it's free) and if you want free charting lessons sign up them too. You will received one lesson per day via email. I started charting on our third cycle TTC and it helped me to discover that my luteal phase (the second part of my cycle, after ovulation, was too short to hold a pregnancy it was 9 days) i started taking vitamin b6, and then later added progesterone cream to it and then started trying a herb called vitex since then my LP has extended to 14 days, except for last cycle it was 11 days. Charting helped me to discover my fertile signs and helped me to learn my body.

Some tips for you:
Temp with a BBT thermometer (Basal Body Tempature thermometer)
Temp at the same time every morning and make sure it's after 3 hours of undisturbed sleep (i set my alarm and put my thermometer and pen/paper next to the bed, it became habit and I would stay asleep and turn off alarm, pick up thermometer right down the temp and go back to sleep)
Temp before doing anything else ie: getting up, talking, walking, etc

I recommend charting/checking your CM and CP (cerivcal mucus and cervical position) when your CM is watery or egg white like that means you are fertile..if your cervical position is soft, high, and open that is another feritle sign.

your CM can feel dry (none), sticky (sticky/gooey), creamy (like watery lotion/sunscreen), watery (watery/liquidy), and egg white (has consistancy of egg whites and can be stretchy) other CP positions can be low and medium, textures: firm (like the tip of your nose), medium (not firm and not quite mooshy) and opening: closed instad of open.

Ovulation tests (opks) can also help in pinpointing ovulation and when to have sex.

Good luck! Hope hist helped, if not don't be afraid to ask!!!

[Mum2three]

Hello and Welcome to the board. We are all glad you found us! I am one of your co-Hosts. I am sorry to hear that u had a loss. Its never fun. HUGS!! Charting is a way to go thats what everyone does. There are lots of sites that you can choose from, fertility friend, or my monthly cycles. Theres lots. Find one that suits your needs. I think that Lindsey has covered it all. If theres anything that u need help with just post it and we will answer it. I wish u all the best of luck on your ttc journey!!

[forever_loved25]

Thank you all. I would have started charting sooner, but I (like everyone else) thought that I would get pregnant within a month or two. I figured I had better start charting because my periods are odd. Last month my cycle was 42 days I think, I'm not sure, I could go look.... yea, it was 42 days from the beginning of one cycle to beginning of my last cycle. So I figured hey I need to see what's going on. 42 days is a long time.