TTC - asking for advice!

[soph717]

Hi everyone! I am new to baby and bump and wanted to post some information about myself and get some advice. My husband and I are TTC. I stopped my birth control in July 2018. My cycles for July - October were anywhere from 24-28 days.

Last month, I started using OPKs. I was only doing it once a day and first time in the AM as I had not done my research. I did not get a positive OPK and my period was 8 days early, making my cycle only 20 days this go around . I was shocked and disappointed. I am confident that it was not implantation bleeding as it lasted for 3 days (I normally bleed for 4 days), it was bright red with some clots, and required using tampons.

Currently, I am on day 8 of my cycle. I started checking CM this go around as well... because why not right? On days 6-7 I felt like it was the “egg white” type. Is this too early to ovulate?? I also started OPKs a little earlier than last time due to my cycle irregularities and not getting a + last month. The pics below are what it looked like on days 6-7. I assumed negative because it wasn’t quite as dark as the control line... am I wrong? Thought this would be too soon to ovulate but I’m super confused and overwhelmed at trying to figure it out.

Overall, I am just worried that there is something wrong because I didn’t ovulate last month and my period was way early this time. Do I need more time to regulate off birth control? And advice or tips? I try not to stress over it but it’s so hard to know what my body is doing. My breasts have also been sore even tho my period was 5 days ago... are my hormones just being crazy?

 

[justonemore31]

You got your period cycle day 20 so you would ovulate on day 5 which is very early. Sometimes you ovulate during your period your cycle is that short. I don't think this is what your cycle will typically be. I think it's due to you coming off the pill. Give yourself time. It will work itself out. Also, when checking for ovulation you should test woth second morning urine and start the day your period ends and onward till you detect ovulation. Your line will be as dark or darker than the control line when you have ovulated. It's good to have sex at least 3 days leading up to that positive OPK and during it and the day after it ends.

 

[justonemore31]

Btw your second OPK was the closest one. When was that taken?

 

[mme]

Justonemore wrote exactly what I was thinking so I second her post x

 

[CarolinDallas]

The second OPK looks very close to the actual thing if not positive. I'm type A and waiting is not my thing. I'd visit my OB, explain about the irregular cycles, OPKs, and plans to conceive so s/he'd help me regulate my cycles. I have read that it may take from 6 to even 12 months to go back to normal after prolonged use of birth control so it's still early in your case, soph.

 

[soph717]

Btw your second OPK was the closest one. When was that taken?

It was on cycle day 6. Hope I didn’t miss it but now I know that I may have! We had sex on day 5 and day 8 so I guess there is still a chance! My OPKs now don’t have a line at all.

 

[soph717]

Thanks for the advice ladies. Now just wondering if I should keep using the OPK or let it be for the rest of the month. The app I have predicts that I’m not even in my fertile window yet. Also, I have my yearly appointment with my OB in January. I am 30 so hoping they won’t make me wait an entire year before doing something about it if we don’t get pregnant.

 

[justonemore31]

Your app may be going off your normal periods which is why it's saying you haven't ovulated yet but I have a feeling that you already did and I think there's a good chance you could be conceived. But just in case I would still test with OPKs.

 

[soph717]

Your app may be going off your normal periods which is why it's saying you haven't ovulated yet but I have a feeling that you already did and I think there's a good chance you could be conceived. But just in case I would still test with OPKs.

I sure hope so! I know it hasn’t been too long I am just trying to figure out my body and I’m getting confused with trying to keep it all straight… LOL.