I need your expertise...

[snickers]

My husband and I decided to begin TTC this month. We have been talking about it for awhile now, and definitely feel we are ready.
But, I am a little confused...

I had my last AF on the pill from December 3-5th, and then took the BCP from December 7-10th, and then we decided to start TTC. A couple of days after stopping the BCP I had withdrawal bleeds, which I expected. My boobs were very sore, I had a lot of acne, and I was definitely hormonal.

I got what I think if my first real AF on December 25th (Merry Christmas), which last until yesterday, with some light spotting still occurring. It was one day later than I would have usually got AF when I was on the pill. Is this actually a real AF? I ask because I got AF exactly 14 days after stopping my BCP, which seems earlier compared to what I have read online. I have signed up for fertility friend, and I have been charting my temperature since December 19th. My chart shows a rise in temps from Dec 19-22, and then a sharp decline from the 23rd-26th, which looks normal for people who receive af (I gathered this only from looking at the charts posted online). Also, since receiving AF my ache, breast tenderness and hormonal imbalances seem to have disappeared. Also, if this is an actual AF, do you think I would have ovulated? It seems unlikely to me that I went off the pill two weeks to the day before I got AF, AND I ovulated in that short time period. What do you think?

Sorry to waste your time if things like this have been posted many times, I am a little confused about all of this. I never realized all of the things you have to learn about when TTC, they make it sound so easy.

Lots of baby dust to all of you and Happy New Year!!!

[lola]

Your cycles are likely to be messed up (irregular) for a few times around. Given that you stopped mid-pack, I don't think anything is going to be "regular" for you.

It's so hard to determine if you've ovulated or not, based on the craziness of your last four weeks. Wait until your next period shows up, and go from there.

[vmars]

Idk the answer, but you are supposed to wait until you finish the pack before stopping bc. This
is my first cycle off bc and the first half of my cycle was crazy temps but I did ovulate and now
my temps seem much less erratic.

[berbles]

Yeah, I wouldn't rely on anything for the first couple months off BCP. Your cycle has to regulate and it may take some time. That doesn't mean you can't get pregnant right away, just that tracking your temps/symptoms/etc might drive you crazy.

[snickers]

Thanks for the help ladies

[littlemisschatty]

I agree with everyone - give yourself a cycle or two to see what your "normal" is before you drive yourself nuts. If you get pregnant really quickly, great! If not, at least you have some info about your cycle to help you time things correctly. Good luck

[FastHands]

I'd say it was your period, yes

[annabear07]

It does seem that it was your period. I went off BC in late October so you can check out the womkyness of my charts (in my siggy) as a example to not over analyze your charts the first couple months. It isn't worth the tears. Just temp and see what happens the next cycle and do not worry about the half cycle.