New to charting

Sirena · #1 January 19th, 2009, 05:27 PM

Hi,

I'm new to JM and also to charting. My husband and I are trying for baby number three and have been for the last year but I have been following a relaxed approach to baby number 3. Funny as it sounds, I was the only one still sitting on the fence on whether I wanted a third baby or not. My husband and two son's have wanted a little baby (preferably a girl) to join our family for 2 years now. About 3 months ago, I finally fell off the fence and began trying a bit more vigorously.

I do have a few questions. I have never charted BBT before and I am not sure what I am doing with it. I find this time around to be very difficult since my first was a surprise and my second pregnancy came very quickly after trying. This time around, I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and my cycles are really off. I have no idea where to go and I don't think I am ovulating, or at least not very often. My ob/gyn has me following a routine that has been very stressful and filled with a lot of highs and lows. Partly the reason why I have been relaxed so that I don't overworry.

Right now, I have to wait 6 weeks after my period, take a pregnancy test, then take novo-medrone for 10 days. From there, it takes another 6 to 10 days until AF arrives so I am looking at a cycle of 58 to 62 days. Over the last year and a half, I have only had two cycles that started on their own, usually at day 36.

So with that history, I'm not sure if charting is best for me or what I should do. Any tips or advice would be great.

Thanks

Sirena

sjkduke · #2 January 19th, 2009, 07:57 PM

I don't think it would hurt at all to chart. You can find out a lot about your cycles, as off as they are, and be able to show them to your doctor. I would recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility, it's a great book to really get an idea of how everything really works.

Hang in there, and hope you stick around and post some more!

Sirena · #3 January 20th, 2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

I don't think it would hurt at all to chart. You can find out a lot about your cycles, as off as they are, and be able to show them to your doctor. I would recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility, it's a great book to really get an idea of how everything really works.

Hang in there, and hope you stick around and post some more![/b]

Thank you for the advice and also for the warm words. I hope to stick around and post some more as well.

Thanks again

ShawnaCAN · #4 January 20th, 2009, 07:56 AM

I also have PCOS and am a certified charting instructor IRL. I have ovulated and conceived as a result of ovulation way late in the cycle, CD23, CD38, CD54, and CD60! If it wasn't for charting, I would have assumed it was way too late in the cycle for that and missed it completely.

Charting would be very beneficial for you!!! This is especially true if you are not ovulating frequently. That said, tracking your BBT will only confirm ovulation after the fact. For TTC, your most helpful sign of fertility will be your CM - it will alert you that your body is trying to ovulate so that you know when to BD to maximize your chances of conception. The problem with long, irregular cycles and infrequent ovulation is knowing the right time to target. For many women with PCOS, they enthusiastically BD early on in the cycle and then have already given up by the time ovulation does arrive (nice and late!) Charting will show you exactly when you are the most fertile so won't miss the opportunity.

It will also help you see just what's going on with your ovulation. The only way to know if you're ovulating at all or not, is to chart. Doctors can only guess, but they have no way of knowing if you're actually ovulating or not unless they were making you have daily blood draws and trans vaginal ultrasounds! Charting is much easier... LOL

shortcake · #5 January 20th, 2009, 08:41 AM

I would also like to encourage you to read Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I read it before I started, though I think it is all right to start charting before you have taken an FAM or NFP course. You just won't know how to read your chart till you get the info you need. Toni Weschler is great at explaining things and has reference charts, etc. that you can look through. I have been charting for 5 years now and still look back at her book for reference.

alicenwonderland · #6 January 20th, 2009, 03:28 PM

I agree with Shawna. If it were not for charting I wouldn't even know I was ovulating. Last month I o'd cd 38! And this cycle cd 23. You just have to have the patience to look for it. Good luck!