[blessdmommy]

I was wondering if I can start charting after pregnancy (I'm 7 weeks 1 day postpartum) and have not had my first pp AF yet. Can I start charting temps now or should I wait for first AF? I am bfing btw.

[ShawnaCAN]

I was wondering if I can start charting after pregnancy (I'm 7 weeks 1 day postpartum) and have not had my first pp AF yet. Can I start charting temps now or should I wait for first AF? I am bfing btw.[/b]

You can definitely start charting! Are you TTC or TTA? For TTA there are special breastfeeding protocols you can follow to monitor your fertility as your cycles might still be absent for awhile, but it's still possible to ovulate prior to your first PPAF.

I always start charting the moment my lochia stops, but we use a CM only system of charting so I don't have to bother with temps when my sleeping patterns are erratic from night feedings.

I was just going to refer you to Shawna, lol but she beat me to psoting!

[blessdmommy]

I am wanting to chart to prevent pregnancy...

[ShawnaCAN]

I am wanting to chart to prevent pregnancy...[/b]

Definitely take a class then on how to do post partum charting while breastfeeding! Having someone to walk you through it will avoid a lot of unnecessary confusion and frustration (plus decrease the chances of an unexpected pregnancy!) There is information about all the different systems of avoiding pregnancy with charting and how to learn them over at NFP/FAM - plus lots of ladies who have charted to avoid while breastfeeding too.

You'll also want to read up on breastfeeding infertility. If you meet certain conditions, the chance of pregnancy is less than 2% in the first 6 months of breastfeeding - so you wouldn't need to start charting until after that if you meet the conditions. Info about that over at NFP/FAM too!

[blessdmommy]

Thanks Shawna.

I am doing the online course through FF right now...Heading over to the NFP board.

[ShawnaCAN]

Thanks Shawna.

I am doing the online course through FF right now...Heading over to the NFP board.[/b]

Just a word of caution, that course is designed for TTC only. It's a good place to start to learn the basics, but it won't cover all the info you need for charting to TTA. I'd recommend taking one of the courses that teaches you how to TTA. Charting to TTC and charting to TTA are a bit different and breastfeeding is a unique charting situation, there are special protocols for that. The FF course doesn't cover any of that stuff.

[sjkduke]

FF is very much geared towards women who are trying to get pregnant.

Your son is adorable!!!! Good luck and let us know if you have any questions! Shawna and the girls over at the NFP board are awesome!

[~DaemonMykailasMum~]

I never got AF till a full month after I quit bf lol.. So I went without af for over a year and a half