[rubyredslipperz]

So, someone mentioned this board to me and it's got me interested but I'm not quite sure the details of how this works. DH and I arent quite ready to TTC yet and if I can avoid BCP and do things the natural way I'd be thrilled! Plus it might speed things up when the time comes to be ready to have a baby. Another thing for me, is that I have some religious roots and I believe that when it's time it's time. And BCP, not that they could get in the way of God's timing but I'd rather not have them in my body if his timing is sooner than ours.. Anyways, I guess my question is, how does this work? How can I get started, and mainly what's the best way to explain this to my DH. He's all for me being in control of my body and wouldnt force me to take BCP but wants some prevention. I'm supposed to go to the GYN tomorrow for a check up and I have the possibility for BCP, he asked me if I was gonna go on it and at the time I said yes, but now that this could be my option/alternative I'm really interested. Can anyone explain to me how to do it/how it works please? I'd appreciate it. And Nikki thanks so much for referring this site to me

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Hi welcome to the board! I think Nikki and I posted to you on the Welcome board. To be honest, you may want to post over here and on the Natural Family Planning board too. Natural Family Planning and FAM - JustMommies Message Boards

The girls over there have more knowledge on charting to avoid but we would love it if you hung out over with us while you wait on ttc.

Okay let me see if I can help you get started. The first thing you need to do if you want to start charting is buy a basal body temperature thermometer. You can find them at Walgreens or CVS or you can order one online at amazon.com or early-pregnancy-tests.com. Don't worry if you don't have one yet. You can start charting temps once you get one.

Then you want to take your temperature at the exact same time every morning before you get out of bed. It is very important that you don't get out of bed and that you try to be as consistent as you can with what time you temp.

Other things you will want to chart to help you identify how fertile you are is your cervical mucous and you can also record the position of your cervix but if you are just getting started I would focus just on recording your temperature and your CM (cervical mucous).

Now, it is going to take you a few cycles to figure this out so I wouldn't use this as your only form of birth control. I would use a barrier method along with charting until you start to know what you are doing and know what is normal for you.

I can explain more to you once you are ready to get started. But, if you really want to learn JM has a great section on Fertility Charting here.
Fertility Charting Ovulation and Prediction : Getting Pregnant : pregnancy and parenting on JustMommies

and we have a Fertility Charting School subforum with info (it is still a work in progress).

Another great place to learn about charting and also to record your temperatures is Ovulation Calendar and Ovulation Chart - Fertility Charting

Most of us use Fertility Friend to chart with. I would read as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can.

Welcome to the board! Glad you came over!!

[Coley]

Hey!! I see you made it over here!! I was the one who recommended you stop by.

Here's what I would recommend.

1. Set yourself up a Fertility Friend account. It's free and it will give you a place where you can keep track of all of your temps and the site will do the work of charting your temps out for you. It really helped me to understand things in the beginning.

2. Pick up a BBT (basal body thermometer) about $10 bucks. You will want to take your temp as soon as you wake up, before you do ANYTHING else, at the same time every day. Do not get out of bed, do not pee, do not start a conversation with DH... all of those things can alter your temp.

3. Pick up a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It's the best book out there about charting. There is an ENTIRE section on charting as a form of Birth Control. This book is my TTC Bible! So much information!!

4. Hang out here on the board, read some of the threads, ask plenty of questions and check out our Fertility Charting School. The basics are covered there as well.
Here's a link: Fertility Charting School - JustMommies Message Boards

You'll also want to take note of your CM (cervical mucus). That's the BEST indicator of when you are fertile and when you aren't. When you notice that you feel very "wet" or your CM feels slippery like egg whites, that's when you are extremely fertile. Since you guys aren't actually TTC right away, that would be the time to abstain.

I don't wanna overwhelm you with info in a posting... so it's probably a good idea to check out the link for the Charting School and if you've got more questions after that, we can answer them as they come.

again!! We're so happy to have you!!!

[rubyredslipperz]

Thanks so much for the good advice! I'm hoping to talk my DH into it soon, I mentioned it to him and he said 'if it works then great!' but isnt convinced, he suggested I just get an IUD so that I wouldnt have to worry about taking my temp and all that.. idk if he just doesnt trust me to do it right or if he wants something solid.. anyways I really would rather do this, like childbirth, the natural way.. thanks on helping me get my mind started on this!

[Blue Eyes 409]

Hi!!!

Welcome to Fertility Charting! I tell you my DH and I were in the same boat I started charting my temps to "avoid" pregnancy and to get to know my body so that I knew when I was going to ovulate. DH finally saw how bad I wanted a baby and he gave in and was ready to TTC before long. It only took a few months to know when I was ovulating and when we knew what my cycles were we had a much easier time in TTC.

After I had my DD we knew about when I was ovulating and we just avoided that week and I did not get a BFP when we were not trying.

I hope that you can stay here and chart with us I really look forward to getting to know you !

[forest]

You should definitely pick up the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I just started reading it and it is very good. I am TTC right now but I think I will be using NFP after the next baby.

[rubyredslipperz]

Blue Eyes, I hope that my DH changes his mind sooner than I think he will! I dont blame him for wanting more time the two of us but with all he's talking about doing before babies come it sounds like YEARS! lol. I'm not old but I'm not getting any younger.. I'll stick around and try to pick up that book soon and a BBT! I think maybe he just has to 'see' it work...