i monitor CM and watch my body for changes. I've been watching CM for months before starting to TTC, without ever knowing what it all meant lol, then after reading into and starting TTC it was all like "ohhhh i get it now". I already had an extensive knowledge of my CM patterns.
of course i'm never sure if i am 100% accurate on my predictions...but i'd like to think so! lol. If things don't work out in a couple months more...i may start temping or something though.
i used ovulation sticks for the first time this month and just did one every two days when my af finished, i got a positive around the time i thought i was ovulating so we bd around then and now i am just waiting, no af yet and 33 days today so fingers crossed.