[TnPhotoMama81]

Hi,

I thought I would "join" here. My name is Melissa (29) married to Jeremy (25). I have been charting for a couple months. I am still pretty new to it. I use fertility friend and you can see my chart here:

mac1981 Ovulation Charts

A little background: I never really paid attention to my cycles until I met my husband. We conceived pretty much the first try with our son Ethan. He was born October 3, 2008. I was on the pill for a little over a year after he was born because I had a c-section and we wanted to try for a VBAC once we did get pregnant again.

As soon as I got off the pill I got pregnant in Feb/March 2010. Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage on April 21, 2010. I got my first period after the m/c on May 31 so approx 40 days after the m/c.

I showed a friend my chart and she says my temps are all over the place which I am sure it is. I don't really know what to compare it to. I try to take my temp at 10:30 am every day but the last two weeks my sleep schedule was really messed up. My husband was gone (marine reserves) and I have a hard time sleeping when he is away so I will stay up till I am reallllly tired and that was like 3 or 4 am. I also sleep with my mouth open most of the time and I have heard that can mess up your temps too.

My chart for this cycle did say that I ovulated on CD 19 but then a couple of days ago it automatically took it off due to wacky temps? I dunno.

I am also using the CBE monitor. I used sticks that expired in 2008 and I never got a peak reading this cycle. I had high readings from CD8 till CD24 but I hear that is normal with the first use. I did a memory reset on the monitor before I used it this cycle. I do have a new box of sticks now though in case we have to use it again next month, I just wanted to use up those old ones first. I didn't think the exp date would matter so much but now I wonder if it does.

Anyway, I just wanted to join and get some opinions. My chart might be way too wacky to even tell much from it honestly. My husband was gone two weeks and I am pretty sure I have already ovulated so I doubt this is our month. I am cramping a little bit too (not bad at all) so I am sure I will get my peroid this week.

[Wallflower]

Hi and welcome!

Your temps do look pretty sporadic, and I bet FF took your crosshairs away because you had some pretty low temps the past few days, so they went below what would have been your coverline and never came back up. Basically, it doesn't look like you ever had a sustained thermal shift. This could just be a fluke this month, it takes at least 3 or 4 cycles of charting I think before you can really tell anything from your chart. Hopefully next month will be a little clearer for you!

I am new to the CBEFM as well, and I have yet to get a peak reading. I am not sure if that's a bad sign, or if it's still just "learning" me! I got a TON of high fertility days last month too, but not as many this month so far. All that to say I understand your confusion with it!

Again, welcome, and you will love this board, the ladies on here are wonderful and super helpful!

[Coley]

Hi! I'm Nikki (35) Welcome to the board!

I'd have to agree with just about everything Wallflower said. I don't have any personal experience with the CBE monitors. I've not been able to bring myself to spend that kind of cheese on things I'm gonna pee on and then throw away.

As for the mouth breathing... that can absolutely make your temps appear erratic. Most charters who know they breathe through their mouths switch to vaginal temping. This provides much more reliable and stable temps. It's something to consider.

I don't see any CM documented on your chart, as you may not have begun charting that yet. If not, I'd highly recommend it. Often your CM will tell you things your temps will not.

It does take a few cycles to really get a good picture of what your patterns are like and to get a good feel for how things work. I would really encourage you to stick with it. It does become easier over time and there are TONS of great girls here who will be more than happy to help you each and every step of the way.

I hope your journey to Baby #2 is a short and sweet one! Best of Luck & Baby

[TnPhotoMama81]

Originally Posted by Wallflower

Hi and welcome!

Your temps do look pretty sporadic, and I bet FF took your crosshairs away because you had some pretty low temps the past few days, so they went below what would have been your coverline and never came back up. Basically, it doesn't look like you ever had a sustained thermal shift. This could just be a fluke this month, it takes at least 3 or 4 cycles of charting I think before you can really tell anything from your chart. Hopefully next month will be a little clearer for you!

I think this is exactly what happened Thanks for the welcome and your thoughts.

Originally Posted by Coley

As for the mouth breathing... that can absolutely make your temps appear erratic. Most charters who know they breathe through their mouths switch to vaginal temping. This provides much more reliable and stable temps. It's something to consider.

I don't see any CM documented on your chart, as you may not have begun charting that yet. If not, I'd highly recommend it. Often your CM will tell you things your temps will not.

Thanks I think I will start temping vaginally...what do you do the week of your period though? lol. I started AF this morning so I am excited for a new cycle. I really hope this is our month because I'd love an Easter time baby hehe.

I don't usually chart CM because it's kinda hard for me to reach that far in there lol. I read that you're supposed to try and do it at/around your cervix??

[LeahBonilla]

Just wanted to say hi. I recognize you from the Sept08PR. I'm not active anymore but still lurk regularly. I am relatively new myself to the charting board (after being a longtime stalker), but these ladies are wonderful and extremely helpful. I highly recommend temping vaginally right when you wake up - it definitely helped regulate my crazy temps. As for CM, you really shouldn't have to go on a search and find mission. It's easiest for me to check right after a BM, or sometimes I'll just push and pretend to have a BM to get the CM flowing (sorry about TMI). Hope that helps! GL!

[Arya]

Hello and welcome to our board! I'm Daniela (35) and DH and I have been TTC#1 since January. I agree with everything girls have said. I haven't made a switch to vaginal temping but I'm going to soon. I think I would skip temping when AF is here. About your CM, I have a hard time reaching my cervix too, especially when it's high. To get around that, I lay on my back, lift my legs up and try that way, and I can reach it. I hope that helps some!

[Mod-LilSunshine]

Welcome to the board! I'm Lisa and my DH and I have been ttc # 2 for 14 cycles. It seems as if the other girls have given you some awesome advice! Jump right in!

[TnPhotoMama81]

Originally Posted by LeahBonilla

Just wanted to say hi. I recognize you from the Sept08PR. I'm not active anymore but still lurk regularly. I am relatively new myself to the charting board (after being a longtime stalker), but these ladies are wonderful and extremely helpful. I highly recommend temping vaginally right when you wake up - it definitely helped regulate my crazy temps. As for CM, you really shouldn't have to go on a search and find mission. It's easiest for me to check right after a BM, or sometimes I'll just push and pretend to have a BM to get the CM flowing (sorry about TMI). Hope that helps! GL!

I think I remember you from the group Thanks for the advice!