Would like some chart stalkers please?

mrsgranchango · #1 November 8th, 2007, 08:44 PM

I know I'm not a regular poster here and not many people know me, but I'm just looking at my chart (this is my first cycle charting & I'm not so hot at it yet) wondering what's going on. I missed a few temps right before I went to the gyn (my DH normally temps me :-p and he couldn't go to Ft. Smith with me). I haven't seriously tried checking CM or CP (CP not at all). I have a friend who told me to check when I wipe (that feels so weird typing that! :-p) and I thought I may have seen something, but honestly I can't tell the difference between CM and semen (I don't guess I've ever seen them separate to even be sure of what they both look like) and we've been BDing pretty regularly, so how would I know if it's his or mine?

I know it's only CD 15 and after my last "cycle" I'm probably way early, but I was hoping something may be happening early this time around compared to last cycle. Any words of encouragement or wisdom or pretty much anything will help right now!

#2 November 8th, 2007, 09:14 PM

Right now things look pretty good, it looks like your temps are starting to level out which is a sign of hormones leveling, sometimes a sign of impending ovulation. Keep it up, hopefully you will see a thermal shift soon!

sjkduke · #3 November 9th, 2007, 02:43 AM

You probably haven't Od yet, but are getting ready to! Take it easy on yourself--charting is complex and you're at least getting the basics right now. And good for you that you have a DH that's interested in helping you!!

Lindsey608 · #4 November 9th, 2007, 03:55 AM

You're definitely looking good for pre-O!

mrsgranchango · #5 November 9th, 2007, 07:16 AM

Thanks girls!!! :-) So DH temped me this morning & commented on how I'd been in the lower 30's and this morning it was in the high 70s, so I typed it in and it's a HUGE spike!! Whoa! Does it have to stay high to indicate ovulation or if it goes back down tomorrow, is it just a random high temp?

mrsgranchango · #6 November 11th, 2007, 10:21 PM

IT SAYS I OVULATED!!!!!!!!!! I am so stinkin excited!! I forgot to plug today's temp in until just now and WHOA!!!! I'm so stinkin excited! I even changed it to the FAM method b/c I've heard it's more accurate, so I really hope it's accurate! I can't believe it happened this soon! After totally skipping a month, I wasn't expecting much, but it says I ovulated!!

I know I'm a bit excited so thanks for putting up with me!

#7 November 11th, 2007, 11:44 PM

yup, it looks like this might be it for you!

sjkduke · #8 November 12th, 2007, 03:04 AM

YAY! Congrats on Oing!!!!!!!!!

mrsgranchango · #9 November 13th, 2007, 09:12 AM

Does it look like there's anything unusual with my chart or am I just driving myself insane? Should it be this low after ovulation? I thought it stayed high until your period came? Maybe DH isn't temping me properly (I'm usually mostly asleep and not paying attention :-p) When it says "at the same time everyday" does it mean with in like 30 sec. or 3 min. or 30 min? How close do you really have to be? Getting within 3 minutes is probably going to be the best we can do since he gets off work and home at different times. Eek!

ShawnaCAN · #10 November 13th, 2007, 09:36 AM

I don't think your chart shows ovulation, but without CM observations it's hard to say. If you did ovulate, then it looks like you've probably got a really, really short Luteal Phase this cycle (are you post-pill or anything like that?) Temping at the same time every day means within about an hour. Beyond an hour and it can make the chart more difficult to interpret.

mrsgranchango · #11 November 13th, 2007, 12:31 PM

I don't really know how to check CM. I'm not very comfortable with it yet. Hopefully eventually though. I am post patch (the last one was July though) I think the latest he temped me was an hour & a half. That was a one-time mistake though. He usually makes it within 15-20 minutes so that should be okay right? Is there anything else I could be doing better?

ShawnaCAN · #12 November 13th, 2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

I don't really know how to check CM. I'm not very comfortable with it yet. Hopefully eventually though. I am post patch (the last one was July though) I think the latest he temped me was an hour & a half. That was a one-time mistake though. He usually makes it within 15-20 minutes so that should be okay right? Is there anything else I could be doing better?[/b]

That should be just fine. Coming off the patch will make it extra crazy (it contains 60% more estrogen than regular combination BCP's)...but it's very likely that time will take care of sorting it all out. The only other suggestion I would make would be to learn CM. Either from an instructor, or a book. There are lots of different systems for charting mucus. The Billings Method teaches you to observe mucus by paying attention to what you feel "down there" as you go about your day (do you feel dry, do you feel sticky, do you feel wet). No touching the mucus, no internal observations, no cervix checks....just what you feel, the same way you can feel when your period starts because suddenly you're all wet. You zero in on THAT awareness. The Creighton Model teaches you to observe mucus by looking at the toilet paper every time you go to the bathroom, and grading how it feels when you wipe. You also do a stretch test by touching the mucus. There are like 27 different mucus options you can pick to describe what you saw with that method. Most Sympto Thermal Methods (Taking Charge of Your Fertility, Couple to Couple League, Northwest Family Services) - they all teach you to look at the mucus in the bathroom, and make internal observations, including your cervix if you prefer. They don't get into as much detail with the CM because of the temps.

Hope that helps! Hang in there!

mrsgranchango · #13 November 13th, 2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quote:

I don't really know how to check CM. I'm not very comfortable with it yet. Hopefully eventually though. I am post patch (the last one was July though) I think the latest he temped me was an hour & a half. That was a one-time mistake though. He usually makes it within 15-20 minutes so that should be okay right? Is there anything else I could be doing better?[/b]

That should be just fine. Coming off the patch will make it extra crazy (it contains 60% more estrogen than regular combination BCP's)...but it's very likely that time will take care of sorting it all out. The only other suggestion I would make would be to learn CM. Either from an instructor, or a book. There are lots of different systems for charting mucus. The Billings Method teaches you to observe mucus by paying attention to what you feel "down there" as you go about your day (do you feel dry, do you feel sticky, do you feel wet). No touching the mucus, no internal observations, no cervix checks....just what you feel, the same way you can feel when your period starts because suddenly you're all wet. You zero in on THAT awareness. The Creighton Model teaches you to observe mucus by looking at the toilet paper every time you go to the bathroom, and grading how it feels when you wipe. You also do a stretch test by touching the mucus. There are like 27 different mucus options you can pick to describe what you saw with that method. Most Sympto Thermal Methods (Taking Charge of Your Fertility, Couple to Couple League, Northwest Family Services) - they all teach you to look at the mucus in the bathroom, and make internal observations, including your cervix if you prefer. They don't get into as much detail with the CM because of the temps.

Hope that helps! Hang in there!
[/b]

Thanks! I know you've said it can stay around anywhere from 3-18 months, but does that depend on how long I took it? Or other things? Based on those descriptions, I've been toying around with the Billings Method and the Creighton Model (a friend whose had multiple pregnancies says that's how she checks hers) I've been thinking about them and looking each time I go to the bathroom, but I haven't plugged any info into my chart b/c I'm afraid they're not accurate. I'm pretty sure I saw something that looked eggwhite just now, but what about after my husband and I DTD? I *always* feel super wet for a few days afterward, even if we only do it a few times. Are there any tips on telling the difference? I think I may hint at him to get me one of the books for Christmas :-)

ShawnaCAN · #14 November 14th, 2007, 07:33 AM

Oh I'm sorry to have misled you! The Billings Method and the Creighton Model are entire charting systems - you can't really "toy" with them, you have to be trained in how to use them from an instructor or a book for Billings, (Creighton can't be self-taught). It's like if I briefly tried to explain that soccer means kicking a ball in to a net, and basketball means throwing a ball into a net - you can't just grab a ball and assume that you're playing either sport based on that information cuz there's a LOT more to it! Hope that makes sense!

Chances are, what you observed was seminal fluid (which is normal, and expected within 24 hours after intercourse). Many charting systems reccomend that a woman abstain from genital contact for 2 weeks in order to really master the ability to observe your own CM without seminal fluid around to confuse you. Then once you are a little more used to your own CM, there are a few ways you can tell CM from seminal fluid. One is to BD only on alternating evenings - this gives seminal fluid a chance to leave your body so you can see what your mucus is doing. The first day after BDing, you'll be wet...but the second day, you can accurately observe your mucus and then BD in the evening again. That's just one way. You can also check the tissue in the bathroom. Seminal fluid will absorb very quickly into the paper, but CM will sit on top of it for much longer. When in doubt, just chart exactly what you observe.

DO get your hands on a book if you have a chance! Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler will give you all the basics you need, and The Billings Ovulation Method, Using the Body's Natural Signal of Fertility to Achieve or Avoid Pregnancy by Dr. Evelyn Billings and Ann Westmore will get into more detail with the CM.

mrsgranchango · #15 November 17th, 2007, 09:09 AM

Eek!! I didn't mean I was toying with the whole system--that's waaaaaaaay too much for me to do on my own....I just meant that I was starting to think about how I feel down there and I've started looking for it on the TP, I'm sorry I didn't clarify that much! I'm not actually charting what I see, but I'm trying to figure out if I actually see or feel anything...No, no, no I won't do anything more official until I've read at least one of the books! :-p I do see the analogy you were getting at though :-)

Okay so it says I'm 9DPO and I just don't see how it is possible!? I now have more temps BELOW the coverline than since the 3rd temp that decided that I "ovulated." I thought it wasn't supposed to do that?!?! I thought the whole point was that it STAYED high once you ovulated and then dived when AF arrived or just stayed up when you were preggo! Based on my temps alone, I really think I'm headed for another screwy 50+ day cycle or something, but I was SO hoping that this month would be vaguely normal and not long & skipping months like my last one :-( I think I've gotten my hopes up...I really suck at this charting business since I'm not checking CM or anything. I was TERRIFIED of going to the gyn, but it WASN'T a nightmare like I thought! It didn't even hurt (I was prepared for the worst, since I'm a hypochondriac with a pain phobia) yet I can't bring myself to try checking it myself! I'm dragging my feet REAL bad....arrrggh! I'm so frustrated!! Sorry to dump this on everyone :-( Thanks for reading my vent though!

ShawnaCAN · #16 November 17th, 2007, 09:32 AM

Whew, glad my analogy made sense! LOL

I don't think you're 9DO at all. You're right, your temperatures are supposed to stay high after ovulation. Have you tried changing the interpretation settings for that chart? Switch from Advanced to Fertility Awareness and hopefully it will take those stupid crosshairs off. The Fertility Awareness interpretation way more accurate and doesn't give as many false results.

I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean about being afraid to check your CM? You said you were paying attention to how you feel and looking at the toilet paper. That's ALL there is to it! You *are* checking your CM! Now, just start writing down what you feel and what you see...even if it's nothing, write DRY. Fingers crossed that you will ovulate really soon!

mrsgranchango · #17 November 17th, 2007, 07:23 PM

THE most bizarre thing! You'd never guessed it, but at the VERY beginning of this cycle, I changed the method to FAM b/c I'd been reading about all the people here having trouble with it (I think specifically Jennifer-in-Italy) so I changed it to FAM and THAT'S the one that is giving me the crosshairs!! I went in just now and changed it to Advanced (the one they recommend) and it says ovulation not detected yet!?!?! What the heck!?!? How on Earth would FAM say I ovulated (I can see the whole 3 over six rule, but those 3 are the ONLY ones above the coverline!! Seriously!!) when Advanced says I haven't yet & Advanced is the one that is funky? I am SO confused!!
Oh and I meant, I've been under the impression that you have to actually reach up and TOUCH your cervix and I'm just WAY too squeamish to do that. I think I'm just going to do it unofficially for a while till I think I'm even accurate. I can't wait to get some books!

ShawnaCAN · #18 November 17th, 2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Oh and I meant, I've been under the impression that you have to actually reach up and TOUCH your cervix and I'm just WAY too squeamish to do that. I think I'm just going to do it unofficially for a while till I think I'm even accurate. I can't wait to get some books![/b]

NO NO NO!!!! You don't have to touch your cervix to track your fertility effectively (in fact, the Billings Ovulation Method and the Creighton Model both discourage it as it can interfere with the accuracy of your mucus observations). Some women choose to check their cervix to monitor it's position, but mucus observations are separate. The most accurate mucus observations are what you feel as you go about your day, and what you see on toilet paper - all external observations!!! The first reason for that is because a woman's vulva is so sensitive it can FEEL the presence of mucus when it would take 10 times the amount to actually see without a microscope. Secondly, when a woman is infertile the mucus dries up as it passes through the vagina over glands called the Pockets of Shaw. Checking for mucus internally disrupts this process and what a woman finds inside isn't actually a true reflection of her state of fertility.

And there's your mucus lesson for the day!

mrsgranchango · #19 November 18th, 2007, 08:48 AM

WOOOHOOO!!!! :-) That makes my day!!! I can totally do it then, once I figure it out more exactly :-p

that is, until I look at my chart and then I just go "blah..." 3 temps above the coverline, 7 below...

should I change it back to advanced?