Chart Stalkers January 2008

[Bagpuss17]

Evening all,

CB23 - You're absolutely right, the first few days of AF arriving are dreadful. It makes you feel so low. Once its on it's way out it's amazing how much it perks you up. That's lovely news about your friends, especially as they've suffered so much with miscarriages in the past.

Loola- it could be that your temp will rise steadily. I was the same this cycle. I think I ov'd overnight Sat into Sun. My temp was low on the Sun first thing. I took it a bit later on after going back to sleep and it was a post ov temp.

Satch - Perhaps you slept with your mouth open which can affect temps...Good luck charting.

Scones - you might want to get a digital ov test too, they are expensive but more reliable when you're not sure whether the cheapies are + or not. I only used the digi when I had a strong line that I considered to be a +. The digi confirmed it for me. It was really useful this month when I had 2 postives on the opks.

Charting is very reliable in pin pointing ovulation. Your temps should rise after you've ovulated. Some women see a rise immediately the day after they've ov'd. Others will see their temps rise steadily for a 2/3 days after ov'ing. It really is useful to give you an insight into your cycles.

Sounds like you've timed things perfectly this month though, so lets hope you won't need to chart

everybody else.

I'm off for a Molton Brown soak....bliss

 

[Bagpuss17]

Loola - yes hun, you can still add your temps after getting a BFP. I'm going to keep taking my temp until 18DPO then stop. Looking forward to switching the 6am alarm off at weekends, for a while anyway until we have a new arrival waking us up early again.

 

[Loola]

Aww Bagpuss that is such an exciting thought, having a little one waking you up! No amount of people telling me babies will keep me up all night, cost me the earth and stop me from leading the life Im used to can put me off. I dont want to live a party lfe at all anymore, and I dont care how little sleep I get, I just want to be a Mummy!
Thanks for the advice about the temps, I always thought it was one sudden rise, I didnt know it could happen over a few days.

Scones - I find temping so much more informative than OPK's, I still do OPK's as a confirmation of what my CM is doing. Your temp rises once ovulation takes place and stays high until AF arrives when it drops again, or preferably doesnt drop at all which is an excellent sign of pregnancy. Of course OPK's tell you that you are about to ovulate, and temps only tell you once you have ovulated, so you need to keep a close eye on your CM as that should be wet or eggwhite leading up to ovulation and then pretty much disappears once ovulation has taken place.

 

[Kittykins]

evening all!

well, so much for my Saturday night in, and a long soak and a face pack!

(Bagpuss - I love Molton Brown too, which one did you have? I was dithering over which one I was going to use tonight... )

Anyway, I thought I'd give my friend a call and see how she was getting on (she's 30wks pg and I haven't heard from her for a couple of weeks). After an hour on the phone at lunchtime, I decided to hop on the bus and go and see her - ridiculous how lazy you get in London, 20 mins away seems like another city! So I took afternoon tea with me, somehow ended up staying for dinner, and just got back. Had a couple of glasses of red wine too (yeah, I know I'm in the 2ww, but ROM's consultant says it's ok so there...) so I'm not going to even try to reply to all today's posts - just Sookie's


Sookie - I think FF is talking b*ll*x. I could be wrong, but my money's on CD36/37 (ask me again in a couple of days). I'd guess you're in the 2ww, but only just, and I'd def BD again tonight/tomorrow just in case. I think the software's really useful, but I'm taking the interpretation with a huge pinch of salt. At the moment my chart shows FAM method - if I switch to either Advanced or Research, it says I haven't ov'ed yet, which is quite clearly complete rubbish. I had a +OPK, EWCM, ov pains and a marked temp surge which was sustained for more than three days - what the hell more does FF need to pinpoint ov? But before I rubbish it completely, I'd point out that FF does need at least 3 days of sustained high temps - it won't give you the dashed CH now and say 'we'll make them solid if you stay high another couple of days'. If those temps stay above 97.4-97.5ish for the next couple of days, I reckon you'll see the CH move on Tuesday or Wednesday. HTH!

(btw - your ferning microscope doesn't seem to have picked anything up - is that because there was definitely nothing to pick up or because you couldn't detect anything? Reason I ask is because so much of this data is subjective - often I enter CM as creamy and I'm sure someone else would say EW, and someone else would say sticky... Why did you stop doing OPKs when the EWCM started? would have been interesting to see those results...)

off to bed now - looking forward to a lovely long sleep with no DH to wake me up with his snoring I love him dearly really but you know, after ten years it's so nice to occasionally have the bed to myself and not to be woken by the sound of a bear growling, or a train rumbling through a tunnel... the other night I was sure an earthquake had hit London...

 

[scones]

Thanks loola for clearing it up and telling me what happens with temping in such simple terms-Ill be good to go once I get a thermometer!! Thanks hunni xxxx

 

[Loola]

No problem at all hun! I look forward to seeing your chart temps!

 

[sookie]

Thanks Kitty. I've been checking back periodically all day to see what you thought. I had come to the same conclusion but it just annoyed me that it picked that day of like 7 or 8 possibilities. It seemed so bloody random.

I stopped the OPKs because I only have 2 left. There was a rationale... I had planned to test again when the ferning showed, but it never did. They say you will get a number of days of partial ferning before full ferning and therefore I thought if I waited to get some ferning I could perhaps time the use of my last 2 OPKs right. But it failed.

I'm not sure what to make of the ferning microscope. I am definitely using correctly now, but apart from the days I have marked in FF there has not been anymore. So it is still possible that I have not/will not Ov. But I am feeling like it is somewhat more likely after today that it may have happened.

Sorry to post and run (again) but need to have dinner. Check back in with you all in the morning.

 

[Bagpuss17]

Morning all,

Loola - That was a really informative post regarding the FAQs, very nice of you to share that.

I don't know why some people only focus on the negatives of having babies. The getting up in the middle of the night to give my son his feeds used to be some of my favourite times. It's really special. My DH and I shared the feeds so it wasn't so bad. In no time at all (hopefully) LO will sleep through the night, so it soon passes. My son has slept through the night for 11/12 hours since he was 4.5 months old. We've been lucky with him.

I've had a really rough night. We went out for a meal yesterday lunch time which was lovely. We haven't been out in ages because of my IBS. Sure enough I paid for it last night. Yesterday evening I started having IBS pains, all through the night. I was up watching TV in the small hours until 04.30. Was still in pain but managed to go back to sleep for a few hours. My temp is high this morning but I can't count it.

I'm going to feel jet lagged all day now Hope my little bean will be OK too. You swap one set of worries of TTC for another of getting through the first tri unscathed.

Kitty - your evening sounded lovely. I had the purple Molton Brown, I'm not even sure what it's called. It was a birthday pressie. I love the handwashes and hand lotions in particular. Your chart is looking fab by the way.

everybody else

 

[Loola]

Aww Bagpus that sounds terrible. Hope you are feeling better today. Im sure little bean will be fine I can totally imagine what its like as soon as you get that BFP you must start worrying about what bad things might happen. Women - we are never satisified are we!

Well my temps have risen slightly today, but nothing major and ovulation is still not showing on my chart so I presume Im one of those 'slow risers', this month anyway. My CM has pretty much dried up, all ovulation pain disappeared so I presume I have ovulated. Id be inclined to think I was having an annovulatory cycle but with all the EWCM and ovulation pain thats unlikely isnt it? My temps havent even risen .1 of a degree, so that really would be a slow rise, and they are nowhere near making a coverline.

 

[kmac]

Loola - I am in a similar situation. My temps just aren't rising noticeably. Even if I was having a long cycle ovulation should have happened by now.
I am trying not to hit the panic button but it's hard.
DH trying to convince me that it's just because i was ill at the start of my cycle with that flu thing, but he's just trying to make me feel better.
Sorry I'm no help!

 

[reallyoldmum]

Morning ladies - just a quick one as we are out at a friends for lunch today.... Its been such a lovely weekend - stayed at a friends on Friday night and went for a lovely meal and then went shopping yesterday to spend my Christmas money - I've waited till I've lost some of my tummy!!! Got some gorgeous wide legged jeans and other bits and pieces including some very nice undies for next month Then we are off today to another friends house just up the road for Sunday lunch - feel really spoiled and about to have a shower and put on my new goodies.... I have to say Kitty I have used up all my months quota of wine intake already but as we are not allowed to ttc until Feb I dont think it will do too much harm.


Kitty your chart looks good - nice steady rise up to yesterday - fingers crossed early OV meant a strong one for you.

Loola I think you have ovulated for what its worth - again lovely steady rise I am sure you will get your cross lines tomorrow if your temp goes up again. The thing that maybe stopping it is that one high temp just before ovulation - had you had a drink or anything the night before?

Bagpuss try not to stress - IBS sounds awful

Sookie ferning sounds like hard work - was going to try myself but you are putting me off.... It looks like you have ovulated though so fingers crossed for you too.

Trudy I took a peek at your chart too - temps are looking good x x x x

Anyway sorry if I've missed anyone - love to CB23 and Chrissy too and anyone else I should have remembered x x x

Off now to make myself beautiful

 

[Loola]

Kmac - how very odd!! I cant think of any definite reason as to why my temps have been high pre ovulation this month, I cant look back at last month to compare as I wasnt taking my temps at the right time each day so they dont count It is very frustrating - my first month of charting and Im baffled! There was me presuming that every month I ovulate when I feel a pain in my side, perhaps all this time I was wrong and we were BDing at the wrong time. Saying that, I have had a positive OPK, and have done for the last 9 months around the same time as my ovulation pain, but that doesnt necessarily mean that an egg has been released. I guess ill just have to keep taking my temp each morning and see what happens.

I had a fever at the beginning of this month, the temp is so high you cant even see it on my chart! lol. It was 38.60 or something bizarre, but that was only one day and was pre AF . I guess the stress of my brother leaving his wife and kids at the beginning of Jan could have caused delayed ovulation, but I still have all the other signs of ovulation just not the temps. I am so confused!

I hope that FF sorts out an ovulation day for you Kmac. Perhaps we are having annovulatory cycles The hardest thing is having to wait til tomorrow to see what happens. Good luck hun

And there was me thinking that charting would make things clearer!

 

[kmac]

Loola - I just had a look at your chart. I would say it looks like you have ovulated. You also had a positive OPK, which I have not had either.
Just been looking things up on the internet and scaring myself.

 

[Loola]

Thanks ROM and Kmac you have made me feel better now I feel slightly embarrassed of my panicky post now! lol. ROM, Do you mean day 9 on my chart? If so then that was Friday 11th Jan, I would have had a drink that night, but not the night before. However, OH was very ill over that time so I guess his hotness could have rubbed off on me in bed? Im really grabbing at straws now arent i!

 

[Loola]

Kmac - How long did you have your flu for and when did it end on your chart? The initial temps on your chart are low, then I presume that huge drop then rise was down to flu? they stayed high whilst you were ill, by which point you had already ovulated and so stayed elevated.

Have you had any lines at all on your OPKs? Have they gotten stronger at any point? I rarely have lines as strong as the control line on my OPKs (i did this month for the first time funnily enough), but I usually use the strongest line I get as my positive result.

 

[sookie]

Morning All,

Well I am a happy bunny this morning. I have a proper temp (finally), it was 97.88 at 6am (30 mins earlier than when I have been temping this month)! So I am thrilled to say that I have Oed after all. The best part is that when I put it into FF it changed my O date straight away to CD36!!! Hurray! Kitty we were right Thank you.

So now my BDing chances are good and, who knows, maybe DH has a few more swimmers now. I really hope so. He wants to go back to the doc for his 2nd sperm analysis but I am scared. I don't know if I can handle it if it is still bad news. I am fine now as I am not thinking about it, but if there has been no improvement then the results will become real and it will be highly unlikely that there is anything we can do to fix it. Plus we'll have to wait to get back to Oz before we can organise IVF... Oh sorry. I really am getting ahead of myself. POsitive thinking!!! He will have 20 million sperm. I am going to make it my new mantra...


OK gonna go stalk your charts chicas!

 

[reallyoldmum]

Loola yes thats the one - thats the one that is higher than your temps at the moment - I know if I have a drink I see a much higher temp.... watch the one tomorrow......

I'm not sure about your DH rubbing off on you but it does make sense if he had a temperature then the bed would have been warmer......

 

[reallyoldmum]

Great news Sookie - keeping everything crossed for this being your month x x x x

 

[sookie]

Boy are there a lot of charts!

Well I am only stalking those that have posted in the last week or so.

ROM - you sound so happy today. I am stoked for you. Enjoy!!! Your chart is looking normal so FXed for AF to come on time and then you can get down to some serious BDing next month.

Kitty - Well I completely agree with you that FF is on drugs this month as far as your chart is concerned. What's it thinking?!? You have clearly Oved. Your temps are as high as yours have been. It is very nice for you. I am with ROM in ing that this means a good strong egg for you.

Loola - Give it a day or 2. I'm going with CD17 as Ov date. So you should see a better rise tomorrow. FXed!

CB23 - FXed that Ov is not too far away.

Chrissy - I am really hoping that this will be your month! (and mine!)

KayKav & Lynsey - hope that you get a BFP this month, and don't have to wait too long to get to Ov.

Gypsy - FXed for a BFP & a good triphasic temp rise in the next few days for you.

KMAC - while you very well could have Oed, it's not certain, and you might still be waiting. Keep BDing just in case. Try not to get too worried about it being late. Look at me! CD36! That's gonna mean I have a 50 day cycle... I have not had one that long since I was in my early 20s (my cycles used to be as long as 150 - 180 days!). But it did happen.

Choklatemunky - let's see some temps girl!

to anyone else.

Well this is a little embarrassing to say, (because we are always on holiday) but DH and I are coming your way in June/July!! We have booked another (alas!) holiday. This time to Europe. We are going to Roskilde, a music festival in Denmark. So before we get there we are hiring a campervan and driving around England for 2 weeks or so. I am soooooooooo excited. I am a HUGE regency england fanatic, especially books by Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen. So I can't wait to check out all the sights. I have lived in London but never got out of the city much.

So if any of you felt like a meetup, that might be nice?

 

[kmac]

Thanks Loola and Sookie.
My flu started to clear up around day 6 of my cycle.
If i had already ovulated that would be very early.
When I do an OPK there is either nothing or a really faint line, I have had a couple of stronger lines but not positives. And there is no pattern to it. Yesterday I did 2, one was very faint the next one (a few hours later) blank.
I have just done one and the line is stronger again, although still negative. I also had a bit of spotting - so either AF is coming (which would tie in with early ovulation - can illness make you ov early??) or else maybe ov is happening / about to happen.
I am so confused. I think about this every waking minute, just about. Got myself so worked up this morning after temping that i ended up in tears. Poor DH doesn't know what to do, as whatever he says obviously he knows diddly squat about it.