first cycle actively trying (June 2015)

[magicalmom2be]

Welcome sophie!!!

It's good that you know when your last period was. The first day of your period is considered the first day of your cycle (CD1). My cycles are usually 28 to 31 days long (before my next period starts). How long are your cycles, usually? Have you ever felt twinges, cramps or any type of pain a couple of weeks AFTER your period...that usually signals ovulation?

 

[sophiedaphne]

Welcome sophie!!!

It's good that you know when your last period was. The first day of your period is considered the first day of your cycle (CD1). My cycles are usually 28 to 31 days long (before my next period starts). How long are your cycles, usually? Have you ever felt twinges, cramps or any type of pain a couple of weeks AFTER your period...that usually signals ovulation?

Thanks for your message I am pretty positive I'm ovulating now, which would make sense, right? Today is the 3rd, so that's 17 days days after my period started... or have I already finished ovulating? I find all the numbers and counting so confusing, to be honest.

 

[gina236]

It's hard to say. Everyone ovulates at different times. For instance, I normally have a 28 day cycle. I O on CD14. But it can change. Before ovulation most women start to get what's called egg white cervical mucus (ewcm). This is discharge that looks like the uncooked whites of an egg. Normally after ovulation cervical mucus dries up or becomes creamy. Start to pay attention to signs your body is giving you. You can also temp, take opks, and check your cervical position. Checking position takes a few months to figure out. Or you can just do the deed (dtd) every other day starting a week or so after your period (AF) and hope it works lol. Most important thing is to try not to stress. That can cause your cycle to change and makes it harder to get pregnant. Hope this helps!

 

[sophiedaphne]

It's hard to say. Everyone ovulates at different times. For instance, I normally have a 28 day cycle. I O on CD14. But it can change. Before ovulation most women start to get what's called egg white cervical mucus (ewcm). This is discharge that looks like the uncooked whites of an egg. Normally after ovulation cervical mucus dries up or becomes creamy. Start to pay attention to signs your body is giving you. You can also temp, take opks, and check your cervical position. Checking position takes a few months to figure out. Or you can just do the deed (dtd) every other day starting a week or so after your period (AF) and hope it works lol. Most important thing is to try not to stress. That can cause your cycle to change and makes it harder to get pregnant. Hope this helps!

Thank you so much! Are ovulation predictor tests pretty reliable?

 

[gina236]

I used them for the first time this month. Had 2 different brands I was using. One was cheap ones one was a little more expensive. Same urine got a positive on one but negative on the other so it really depends what tests you get. I believe you get what you pay for when it comes to those. If I have a next month I will be getting the clearblue advanced digital opks. They are pricy but seem to be accurate.

 

[magicalmom2be]

I've been using both cheap ovulation tests and the Clearblue digital monitor for the past three months, and they have both been reliable sources for me.

Usually how ovulation works is based on the TOTAL days you have in a cycle. There are two phases.... before ovulation (follicular phase) and after ovulation (luteal phase). Both phases can vary in length. The average luteal phase is 14 days, so most times you can count BACKWARDS from the total days you have in your cycle to predict O. For example, during my 31 day cycles, I can't just assume that I O on day 14 like most 28-day cycles. Instead, you count backward from day 31, assuming your luteal phase is 14 days....and that MIGHT be when you O. So for a 31-day cycle, we can assume that I might O around day 17 (CD17).

However, when you track your temp daily, you will find out how long these phases TRULY last. I used to think my luteal phase was an average of 14 days, but this is what I've found during my last 3 cycles:

AUGUST -- 31-day cycle
Follicular Phase -- 18 days long
Ovulation -- 1 day long (Day 19)
Luteal Phase -- 12 days long

SEPTEMBER -- 27 day cycle
Follicular Phase -- 13 days long
Ovulation -- 1 day long (Day 14)
Luteal Phase -- 13 days long

OCTOBER -- so far 29 days an counting
Follicular Phase -- 14 days long
Ovulation -- 1 day long (Day 15)
Luteal Phase -- So far 14 days long... I might be pregnant, because my period still hasn't come.

So, see how every month I ovulated on a different day? See how my cycle lengths have changed month to month? And my follicular and luteal phases have changed in length as well?

How would I have known ANY of this had I not tracked my temperature daily? And used ovulation predictor kits around ovulation?

 

[Velathria]

When I used the digital opks from clearblue it was very clear... especially with the smiley. ... but those things are very touchy.... you have to make sure you don't put it in and pull it out on accident again because then the stupid thing doesn't realize anymore that you put a fresh one in... it just keeps blinking the waiting sign.
Besides that they are good.

Stephanie were you on any birth control (BC)?

I realized even non hormonal ones can change your cycle and symptoms.

But definitely keep an eye on how your body reacts in your cycle.

Gina how are you doing?

Magicalmom and fertile flower did you ladies test again?

I am having another moment of thinking negative.... I feel like this might not the the month... I am at a point that I am telling myself to not get my hopes up and just already accept that it's nothing this month... Don't know why...

 

[Velathria]

I know what you mean magicalmom... I wanted to use opks this month but they still haven arrived... ordered them a month ago. But I went by my vaginal mucus. I really hope we caught the egg...

I hope you get your twins

 

[sophiedaphne]

Wow, this is all very helpful. Thank you guys!
Is BBT (I can use acronyms!! yay!) an accurate measure?
What kind of thermometer should I get?

Thank you
SD

 

[gina236]

The thermometer should have 2 digits after the decimal. Normal ones have 1. Bbt is the only way to confirm ovulation. But it does not predict it. The day after you ovulate your temp will go up and should stay up. That confirms that you did O but there is no way to know until the day after. So most people use two or more methods for determining O.

 

[gina236]

When I used the digital opks from clearblue it was very clear... especially with the smiley. ... but those things are very touchy.... you have to make sure you don't put it in and pull it out on accident again because then the stupid thing doesn't realize anymore that you put a fresh one in... it just keeps blinking the waiting sign.
Besides that they are good.

Stephanie were you on any birth control (BC)?

I realized even non hormonal ones can change your cycle and symptoms.

But definitely keep an eye on how your body reacts in your cycle.

Gina how are you doing?

Magicalmom and fertile flower did you ladies test again?

I am having another moment of thinking negative.... I feel like this might not the the month... I am at a point that I am telling myself to not get my hopes up and just already accept that it's nothing this month... Don't know why...

Velathria we all get those days. Try to stay positive though. Positive thinking for a positive test!. I am going back and forth myself. My O pain finally stopped. 12 days left! Lol.

 

[Velathria]

I know but I just don't want to be disappointed you know lol... all day I have been having some twinges and stretching feeling of my abdomen but that could also be just normal post ovulation twinges... but it's too soon to know.

 

[magicalmom2be]

AF is officially LATE, so I'll be testing this evening. I need all the baby dust... fingers crossed... prayers... blessings... love... hope... all of that.... to get even just a faint line!

Thanks, ladies!

 

[magicalmom2be]

Velathria -- It's way too soon to feel out. Stop thinking about the impeding disappointment and focus on what it is you want! I believe that we all have the power to manifest absolutely anything we want, but it all begins with believing it already happened. Visualize your egg getting fertilized, turning into a blastocyst, and making its way down your fallopian tube...on to your uterus and being implanted. Continue to visualize this daily. Use your own personal power to manifest your desire, love! It'll happen...just trust and have faith.

 

[gina236]

AF is officially LATE, so I'll be testing this evening. I need all the baby dust... fingers crossed... prayers... blessings... love... hope... all of that.... to get even just a faint line!

Thanks, ladies!

So excited for you!! FX you get that second line!

 

[magicalmom2be]

Thanks, Gina!

 

[Velathria]

Aww thanks magicalmom. I will try that

And I super duper excited about your results. You must let us know as soon as possible.

I got my FX for you Lots of dust and prayer your way

 

[magicalmom2be]

Ok... now I'm afraid to test, because a strong surge of irritability just came over me just like it ALWAYS does the day before AF.

If I get another BFN, I know I'm gonna cry, so I don't know if I'm strong enough to do it.

 

[gina236]

I totally understand. But for me getting a bfn helps cushion the blow for AF to come. And who knows, maybe it will be positive!

 

[magicalmom2be]

BFN...
AF needs to bring her ass on, so I can get started on the next cycle.

I'm so over this shit...