New to Charting

AmandaEliz · #1 June 23rd, 2009, 05:34 PM

Hello Everyone! My name is Mandy & I just started charting. DS was a wonderful surprise, so I didn't chart with him. DH and I are probably going to start TTC #2 in August. I just stopped BFing, so this is my first postpartum cycle. My period was very short & light. My temps have been a bit wonky; up and down a lot. I was wondering if any of you ladies temped during your first PP AF. Did you have inconsistant temps? Is it possible I might not O this cycle? Should I try a new thermometer? My chart is below. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Oh, on my 5th cycle day, I goofed up the timing & I'm pretty sure that's why its so high.

Arya · #2 June 23rd, 2009, 05:45 PM

Hi Mandy, I'm Daniela and I'm pretty new here too, but the ladies here have made me feel welcome. This is my first cycle charting too and my temps have been wonky too. I think that's how they are supposed to be as long as after you ovulate they go up and stay up. I'm sure someone else will have more answers for you but for now, welcome and enjoy our little group here

kristenpie · #3 June 23rd, 2009, 07:29 PM

I just started charting too, I have only had 2 periods so far. I got my first period back when my son was 15 months! You can check out my chart in my siggy.. it's a little crazy, I'm not sure if it's because I'm nursing or because I'm pregnant.

Fertility Friend has a cool search option where you can search for other charts with whatever tag words you want, like "breastfeeding" or "first post partum cycle." You might want to look around there and compare! Good luck!

Lo_and_Behold · #4 June 24th, 2009, 08:58 AM

Hi Mandy! I'm Melissa & my DD is 3 months old. I got my first PP AF at 9 weeks PP (and that was after 6+ weeks of pp bleeding so I only got a 2-3 week break lol), but I wasn't BF so that's probably why I had the early & unwelcome return of AF. Since we're not TTC yet, I'm not temping, but I know I did O because I could tell by my CM & O pains.
I think it could take your body a couple of cycles, at least, to really return to normal, but everyone is different. I know I wouldn't necessarily trust my temps if I were charting b/c I'm still getting up with my dd throughout the night & not sleeping enough to have reliable temps. The fact that your hormones may not be completely back to normal could also affect your temps.
I'd say you should keep up with it just to have it as a reference, but I wouldn't worry to much if you see some discrepancies. It could just take a little time. Good luck when you start TTC!

dapgal · #5 June 24th, 2009, 11:04 AM

All of my charts should be accessible through my ovusoft link, just go back to chart 1 and then work your way through them. For 1 and 2 I was still breastfeeding. Chart 1 was three times a day and chart 2 was only 1 time a day and then chart 3 was my first month of not breastfeeding at all. You can see the progression from wacky, more erratic temps and long cycles with short LP's to a more normal chart. I think I ovulated each cycle but it took me a while and my LP wasn't long enough. But you can definitely see an improvement by cycle 3. I think everyone is different but at least this gives you an idea. Some women have no problem getting pregnant while they are breastfeeding and then others need months for their cycle to return to normal after breastfeeding. But I think that it is great that you are charting before you want to start TTC. It will tell you so much about your body. That is how I knew I was going to have to stop breastfeeding to get pregnant. Good luck!

ShawnaCAN · #6 June 24th, 2009, 01:52 PM

It's very very normal to experience some irregularity for your first few cycles post partum, especially as you've recently weaned. Breastfeeding hormones do tend to make temps bouncy, but you should still be able to see a thermal shift if/when it happens. Just keep tracking and see what happens!

Admin-pattyandthemoos · #7 June 25th, 2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmandaEliz

Hello Everyone! My name is Mandy & I just started charting. DS was a wonderful surprise, so I didn't chart with him. DH and I are probably going to start TTC #2 in August. I just stopped BFing, so this is my first postpartum cycle. My period was very short & light. My temps have been a bit wonky; up and down a lot. I was wondering if any of you ladies temped during your first PP AF. Did you have inconsistant temps? Is it possible I might not O this cycle? Should I try a new thermometer? My chart is below. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Oh, on my 5th cycle day, I goofed up the timing & I'm pretty sure that's why its so high.

Hi! Welcome to the charting board. I charted when I was breastfeeding and my charts were pretty wonky until I stopped bfing. I still ovulated but it was harder for me to tell when my o date was when I was bfing and my luteal phase wasn't quite as long. I don't think the thermometer is the issue. Once your little one starts nursing a little less frequently your charts may start to look a little better. Lyndsey nursed till she was two and a half and I did get pregnant while I was bfing her but you just may have a tougher time reading your charts. Once your little one turns one you can probably cut out one or two nursing sessions and that may help get your cycle back to normal.