I need help from those that chart!

[lola]

Ok, I (irresponsibly) did not chart for at least the first year of TTC. My GYN was all, "It can take healthy couples up to a year," and I don't know, I just didn't do it. I used OPKs and just had a LOT of sex. Literally sex every other day at least from like, CD4 until the day after a + OPK. (ok, whoops - not "the day" after the +. just, after the window closes.)

I started charting with the first cycle of 2013, because after my blood work and HSG came back looking ok my doctors asked for three months worth of charting so we can make sure I'm ovulating.

So. That's where I am. Today is CD16, and I am (was?) sure I ovulated earlier this week. My temp was up on CD14 and CD15. But then this a.m., a big drop.

Will you look at my chart: www.fertilityfriend.com/home/39fb6b

Does this mean I'm out? And also, does this mean that I have the world's shorted LP? Would you be worried, or would you roll with it because user error and it's the first month and all that?

I'm feeling super down now.

[thoseareradishes]

Looks like to me that you haven't ovulated yet. How long are your cycles usually? Are you temping at the same time/after 3 hours every day?

There is a possibility you ovulated on CD13, and today just had a wonky temp or a "fall-back" pattern, where your temp dips after O then goes back up. FF needs three temps above the cover line to confirm O. Just keep temping - usually you need a whole month to see the pattern. I don't think there is anything to worry about yet!

[lola]

Thanks Radishes. I'm so bummed because I saw that spike and I took two days off without having sex, and now I'm all bummed because we were doing so well and I feel like I got early excitement and blew it now. But you don't think I'm out for them month, huh?

I bought a box of digital OPKs (have been using Wondofo) and decided to use them in Cycle 2 this year after I kind of had an idea of what my chart said.

Ugh. I think I needed somebody to hold my hand this morning. lol.

[changedname]

I don't think you o'd yet either. Can you start using the opks now? What day did you normally get a positive opk in the last year? Are you cycles normally short? I don't think you have anything to worry about!

[Cheesecake]

How long (approx) is your usual cycle?
It looks to me like you haven't O-ed yet.

Sent from my phone, please disregard typos!

[lola]

My cycles are somewhere between 24 and 28 days. Average is 26, but my doctors are all, "Don't average them! You need to be prepared for 24 or 28!" So...

Ok, I'll start w/ an OPK and keep trying this month.

Thanks guys!

[KaraOrNot]

I hate reading charts (not in a don't post it kind of way, in a they are confusing sort of way). I agree that you either haven't o'd or you need a few more days of data to confirm.

[Cheesecake]

Do you chart other signs than temps, btw? I know that does help FF with figuring out if something is just a fluke high or fluke low temp, or that you've just not gotten into a pattern yet. FX that today is just a dip before O :-)

[statlerwaldorf]

Sometimes I get a one day dip around 4-5 dpo. I have no idea why. I think it's possible that you o'd on CD13, but there's a good chance you haven't o'd yet.

[lola]

Thanks for the feedback everybody! I think part of my problem is trying to analyze an incomplete chart by looking for meaning in every single day, rather than the full picture at the end of the cycle, you know? I'm going to step back and let this month play out and see how things shape up.

I'll keep you posted, though, because I know you're all super interested!

[crimson]

It has been a long time since I charted, but mine always did a big drop
either the day I ovulated or the day before. I'll put a link to my old
charts so you can take a look at them. Everyone's is going to be different,
but it might help you. I always had a definite temp increase after ovulating-
at least one whole degree difference for the remainder of the month.
I don't think you ovulated yet either.

www.fertilityfriend.com/ttc/chart_module.php?start=12

[berbles]

Chart aside, I'm confused about something in your OP.

Using OPKs, you stopped having sex a day after a +? My understanding is that a + indicates O is coming, but it could be a few days before you actually O. You should continue having sex for at least 3 days after the +, maybe longer, depending on your temps.

[lola]

Jan 17, 2013 17:41:43 GMT -5 berbles said:

Chart aside, I'm confused about something in your OP.

Using OPKs, you stopped having sex a day after a +? My understanding is that a + indicates O is coming, but it could be a few days before you actually O. You should continue having sex for at least 3 days after the +, maybe longer, depending on your temps.

Sorry Berbs, I guess I was typing a w/o paying attention. I just meant " after after the + OPK" you know? Not the day after. I'll correct.

[daisy24342]

I also agree you probably haven't Od yet. Maybe soon though. I usually have a dip like that right before I O.

[statlerwaldorf]

What day did you get the pos opk?

[jewel]

I'll chime in, just to say that there's nothing in your chart that shows that you're definitely out. You know, you're not out until you see blood (or unless you haven't had any sex, of course).

I'd say it's possible that you ovulated 2-3 days ago, and just had a weird temp today. You really need a few more days to see the trend.

Next month, keep peeing on OPKs until you get 3 raised temps in a row, or until FF thinks you've ovulated. I'd also continue to have regular sex until FF confirms.

ETA - Temping can be rough, and stressful. Once you get used to doing it, you'll probably calm down about the details. Sorry you started with an unclear month

[lola]

Jan 17, 2013 20:20:45 GMT -5 statlerwaldorf said:

What day did you get the pos opk?

Between CD11 and 16, and my cycles have been between 25 and 31 days. 

[jewel]

Jan 17, 2013 22:04:07 GMT -5 lola said:

Jan 17, 2013 20:20:45 GMT -5 statlerwaldorf said:

What day did you get the pos opk?

Between CD11 and 16, and my cycles have been between 25 and 31 days. 

Which specific day did you get the positive OPK? Did you get a + all 6 days?

[statlerwaldorf]

I came back to look at your chart and now I'm thinking there is a better chance you o'd on CD13.

[Cheesecake]

Yep, CD13 or CD16 are both distinct possibilities.

[lola]

Thanks for the feedback ladies. I'm trying to just relax about it. I think I'm obsessing about every specific day rather that just letting the month play out and seeing what happens, which will drive me crazy. This is actually the exact reason that I was hesitant to chart in the first place - because I didn't want to drive myself crazy. I think I'll calm down over the next few months.