[mrsgranchango]

Hello all! My name is Jacalyn and I just sorta showed up here @ JM. I got off the patch at the end of July and I am interested in starting to chart and find out more about my body, but I have no idea where or how to begin! I'm registered at FF and I'm taking their "course" and so far I understand everything I'm reading, but I haven't put it into actual practice yet and I'm terrified.
This is going to sound lame, but I have a horrible pain phobia, so bad that I didn't even make it through my first pap smear before I got married (long story) so I'm terrified of trying this cervix business out. I have no idea how I'm going to do it! Does it hurt? What am I looking for? Where am I looking for it? How far up in there? Very or not very far? Is there any way of not doing the cervix part at all (I'm not thinking so, but I'll ask anyway) This is something I have to overcome if I ever want to have children (my mom has reminded me of this in general for years now)
Also, the thermometer? It has to be at the very first waking right? Can it be a regular thermometer? or the special ones? What if I wake up to go to the bathroom at 4:30 or 5:00 when I normally get up at 8:00 or 8:30? Also, what if my schedule changes? Doesn't that affect it?
Sorry to bug you all and I think I'll eventually get it all in the course, but I'm just trying to find out every last piece of information I can right now!
Thanks so much for all the help!! :-)

Welcome to the world of charting it is reallly simple to start with. You need to get a basal thermometer(they sell them at walgreens, etc in the pharmacy section, usually near the condoms and pregnancy tests) and that is it to start with. Pick a set time to take your temp every morning-you can go back to sleep afterwards, but you need to temp at the same time every day to get a clear picture. Then, just start temping. If you are uncomfortable with checking your cervix, you can skip it, but the more information you have the easier it is to see what is going on with your body. If you get up at 5 to go bathroom, take your temp, then take it again when you wake at your normal time(if it is less than 3 hours later). If your normal time is more than 3 hours later, you can skip temping at your bathroom wake up. The key is consistency-as long as you are consistent about what you do, your chart will have accurate information.

I really suggest reading the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" you can get it at your library or most major book sellers offer it in store or online.

Stick around and we are glad to stalk your chart! You will learn a lot just reading other posts too! I hope you get your BFP soon!

[~Jess~]

Jennifer pretty much covered it. I just want to add that checking your cervix isn't the slightest bit painful. No more painful that touching your arm with your fingertip. As for what you're looking for, it's like a ball with a dimple in it. It can be low or high depending on your body and where you are in your cycle.

[sjkduke]

Just wanted to say hi and because Jennifer and Jess pretty much covered it all.

It's very exciting when you first start charting, I think just because it's fun to see how your body really works.

Good luck!