[BensMom]

This is my first month w/o bcp. We were hoping to get pg in Jan for an Oct baby, but Sept/Nov is ok too. This cycle has been wacky because my thyroid was in hyper-mode. AF came a week late and was shorter/lighter than normal (only 3 days as opposed to 5-6). I'm pretty sure I ovulated right on time though. I had some minor cramping on Saturday afternoon, and (tmi) gobs of mucus on Sunday. When I was on bcp, I had hardly any mucos. Anyway... we dtd at 5:00 this morning (don't ask! ). I told him to pull out, but he didn't want to. If I O'd on Saturday, could I (*usually*) still get pg today? I really don't want an Aug baby. We've already got 3 birthdays that month.

normally you are fertile up to 48 hours post-O(due to possible double ovulation) but it is pretty unlikely.

[BensMom]

SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT! The OPK was 100% positive right from the second it started testing. I'm soooooooooooooo gonna get knocked up this month. Yes, I'm happy... but I'm sure hoping for one more cycle anyway.

I hope things turn out the way you want!

[ShawnaCAN]

This is my first month w/o bcp. We were hoping to get pg in Jan for an Oct baby, but Sept/Nov is ok too. This cycle has been wacky because my thyroid was in hyper-mode. AF came a week late and was shorter/lighter than normal (only 3 days as opposed to 5-6). I'm pretty sure I ovulated right on time though. I had some minor cramping on Saturday afternoon, and (tmi) gobs of mucus on Sunday. When I was on bcp, I had hardly any mucos. Anyway... we dtd at 5:00 this morning (don't ask! ). I told him to pull out, but he didn't want to. If I O'd on Saturday, could I (*usually*) still get pg today? I really don't want an Aug baby. We've already got 3 birthdays that month.[/b]

Well, why do you think Saturday would have been your alleged ovulation day as opposed to Sunday when you had all that mucus? Your Peak day is the LAST day you observe slippery mucus, and ovulation is closely associated with Peak day. It usually happens on Peak day itself, or up to 2 days after the slippery mucus ends. Then the ova can live for 24 hours, and *if* double ovulation is going to occur it will happen within 24 hours of the first one (then the second ova can live up to 24 hours). So, hypothetically - you are potentially fertile for 3 full days following your mucus Peak (or 5 days after a positive OPK). That's because the OPK gives 12-36 hours advance warning of ovulation, then you account for the lifespan of the ova and the potential for double ovulation.

That said, after discontinuing the Pill, it's not unusual for a woman's body to attempt ovulation a few times without going through with it. So unless you're charting daily, it's hard to say if the cramping/mucus you observed on the weekend resulted in successful ovulation or not.

Hang in there! Time will tell!

[BensMom]

Well, why do you think Saturday would have been your alleged ovulation day as opposed to Sunday when you had all that mucus?[/b]

I don't know!!! I've never charted before. I just know the stuff I learned in middle school sex-ed 20 years ago. I thought the cramping was the release of the egg, and the mucus was so the sperm could get to it easier?

[ShawnaCAN]

I don't know!!! I've never charted before. I just know the stuff I learned in middle school sex-ed 20 years ago. I thought the cramping was the release of the egg, and the mucus was so the sperm could get to it easier?
[/b]

Cramping can happen for lots of reasons. It can happen several days prior to ovulation from the follicles in the ovaries being stimulated (this does not guarantee ovulation will occur, just that the body is thinking about it). It can happen during ovulation itself, when the ova ruptures through the ovary. It can happen in the days following ovulation from the ova traveling down the fallopian tubes in the hopes of being fertilized, or if it was fertilized...on it's way to the uterus. It's a secondary sign of fertility, meaning that by itself - it can't tell you much. But it can support what the primary signs of fertility are telling you (mucus, basal body temperatures).

The cervical mucus does facilitate sperm travel, yes! It is produced when your estrogen levels rise because your body is thinking about ovulation. In order to know if ovulation was successful or not, you need to observe the CM daily and evaluate the pattern it follows over the course of several days. If ovulation is successful, the mucus becomes slippery and then dries up abruptly. Ovulation is closely associated with that last day of slippery mucus before it dries up. If ovulation doesn't occur, the mucus might be really wet but does not reach the point of becoming slippery and it won't dry up much either. Does that make sense?

You mentioned using OPK's as well. Which day did you get a positive OPK?

[BensMom]

You mentioned using OPK's as well. Which day did you get a positive OPK?[/b]

A few hours ago after reading people's posts and questioning when O occured.

[ShawnaCAN]

A few hours ago after reading people's posts and questioning when O occured.
[/b]

OH!!! Then you haven't ovulated quite yet, but it's quite likely that it will occur very soon. If *any* cervical mucus was present at the time of intercourse, it can keep sperm alive in your body for up to 5 days. So your chances of conception, if you go through with ovulation, are very very good!

[BensMom]

Shoot. That means I'll probably have a girl, too? I've heard girl sperm lasts longer than boy sperm. I was really hoping for an October boy.

[ShawnaCAN]

Shoot. That means I'll probably have a girl, too? I've heard girl sperm lasts longer than boy sperm. I was really hoping for an October boy. [/b]

So the theory goes, but it's not definite. Our personal experience has been the complete opposite of the Shettles theory - our boys arrived as a result of BDing several days prior to ovulation, and BDing right close to ovulation gave us a girl! LOL

[BensMom]

How long does the LH surge last? OPK was + again this morning. I thought it would only last 1 day. Yesterday was the first time I tested, so it may have been like that longer. The box says it's + if the test line is the same or darker than the reference line. Both days it's been much darker.

[ShawnaCAN]

How long does the LH surge last? OPK was + again this morning. I thought it would only last 1 day. Yesterday was the first time I tested, so it may have been like that longer. The box says it's + if the test line is the same or darker than the reference line. Both days it's been much darker.[/b]

It should only last 1 day, but sometimes it can last a few days - especially if your body is working extra hard to ovulate, like when recovering from the Pill. Are you still experiencing CM?

[BensMom]

It should only last 1 day, but sometimes it can last a few days - especially if your body is working extra hard to ovulate, like when recovering from the Pill. Are you still experiencing CM?
[/b]

Um... I guess. There's a little on the toilet paper when I go to the bathroom. Is that what you mean? (Which might be leftover sperm?? It usually comes out a day or so after dtd.) This may or may not be related, but I think it is... my sex drive has been through the roof for the past few days. For the past 5-6 years I've had NO sex drive. It could also be related to my thyroid. I've recently started treatment for that. WDYT?

[ShawnaCAN]

Um... I guess. There's a little on the toilet paper when I go to the bathroom. Is that what you mean? (Which might be leftover sperm?? It usually comes out a day or so after dtd.) This may or may not be related, but I think it is... my sex drive has been through the roof for the past few days. For the past 5-6 years I've had NO sex drive. It could also be related to my thyroid. I've recently started treatment for that. WDYT?[/b]

Yes, that's what I mean. But you might also notice CM in the form of sensation - noticing a feeling of wetness or slipperiness as you go about your day, even if there isn't much to see on the toilet paper. Seminal fluid generally leaves the body within about 24 hours, but for some it can take a bit longer than that.

A raging libido is a very good sign! But I doubt your thyroid treatment is affecting that as much as being off the Pill is! One of the most common side effects of hormonal contraceptives is that they kill your libido. We were actually just talking about this over at NFP/FAM - the difference women noticed in their libido after stopping hormones!

[mrsgranchango]

Not to butt in, but I would be SO jealous if you got pg your very first cycle off of b/c! I'm charting (though we're actually leaning towards charting to avoid) and I thought I'd only be off for a cycle or two and EVERYTHING is all over the place! It's really frustrating verging on terrifying (not knowing what's going and wondering about all the possibilities) I guess you're really lucky like that :-p That's really cool, but whoa! But, good luck, I hope you get your October boy! :-)

[sjkduke]

Shawna's done an EXCELLENT job of answering your questions, so I'll just pop and say GOOD LUCK either way!

[BensMom]

Not to butt in, but I would be SO jealous if you got pg your very first cycle off of b/c![/b]

I'd be annoyed myself. It took us a year (after I'd had 7 losses) to get Ben, but that was before my thyroid problem was dx and treated. I was hoping this time would be easier, but not THIS easy.

Shawna has awesomely answered your Q's, so I just want to say good luck again!

[mrsgranchango]

I'd be annoyed myself. It took us a year (after I'd had 7 losses) to get Ben, but that was before my thyroid problem was dx and treated. I was hoping this time would be easier, but not THIS easy.
[/b]

Oh my gosh! 7 losses :-( Yikes!! All because of the thyroid? Wow! At least that's under control now, so hopefully you will get what you want this time :-)