Obligatory introduction post :3

LittleLunarMouse · October 2013

Even though I've already been posting. Im just a rebel like that ;P

So officially, hello all! I've been lurking for a while and recently started to get a little more active, so I thought it was time to say hi!

Im Mouse, Aimee or LLM, whatever you prefer. I'm 27 and have been married to hubby (29) for a little over a year and a half. We are still waiting for our own house and a bit more of a nest egg before we start TTC. Weplan to really get the ball rolling in 2014, after we find a house. The waiting is killing me! Being a responsible adult sucks. In the mean time I'm going to bother you ladies and try to learn everything I can so that when we start trying I'm prepared to dive in!

I've been thinking about learning to chart, since I've never tried and my periods have always been EXTREMELY irregular, but mostly because I have no idea how to do it. I figure knowledge is power, and it never hurts to get a head start right?

So! As an utter newb to the subject with no knowledge of it other than the basic idea of what it is, where would you recommend starting? What materials really helped you get the hang of it when you first started out? I know I can just google search and get a ton of info, but some direction is always nice!

it's a pleasure to meet you all, and I'll be seeing you around!

bumpuser794640 · October 2013

I suggest reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility and signing up for the tutorials on fertilityfriend.com. Welcome & GL!

dragonfly711 · October 2013

Hello!!!

I learned a lot from being on these boards. I found out I was pregnant last Dec first try, pure luck. But we ended up MC in Feb.

After that I learned about charting, temping, CM ect. You will learn so much about your body, and your cycle. If your cycle is irregular it would be a great idea for you to temp and chart.

1. Temping: This will let you know WHEN you DID ovulate. You will take your temperature every morning at the SAME time every morning with a basal thermometer. ( YOu can get them at the drug store mine is CVS there are brands)

Even weekends you temp the same time so make sure it is a time you can do every day. Also you have to have 3 hours of continuous sleep or your temp could be off. You can temp either by mouth or vaginally, I personally take it by mouth. Make sure you read the directions when you get your thermometer. Also temp as soon as you wake up or get out of bed or anything!!! LOL yeah I know so much info!!

2. Fertility Friend ( FF): If you want the VIP ( which I liked) there is a fee but if you like them on FB you can usually find a coupon code for a discount. Much cheaper around $25.00 I think for the ear w the code. You could just use the free version for a bit to see if you like it.

On FF you will be able to keep track of your temperatures. Nice thing there is an APP!! Every morning I would put in my temp via my phone. Then you can see your chart that FF will make for you.

Read the tutorials and get used to FF this is a great resource as well.

With your temperatures you start the day of your cycle. ( You can before but this is a good place to start) After you Ovulate your temperature will increase, you will see a jump on your chart. If it is elevated for 3 days FF will see that and will mark that you ovulated. Then it will give you the DPO ( Days Past Ovulation)

3. Ovulation tests: You can use these to check to see when you are ovulating. This way you can have an idea of when to have sex. The brand a lot of women on here use is Wonderfo's you can get them cheap on Amazon usually about 100 of them and 25 pregnancy tests for I think 30 some dollars give or take a bit.

There are also digital ones that I would have on had just in case.

4. Clear Blue Fertility Monitor: This is expensive about $200.00. I would recommend temping and charting and Ovulation tests before this. I have one but waited a few months before I got one. Also if you have irregular periods sometimes it does not work as well. You can go to the Clear Blue Website and review the packet insert. It is also called CBFM on here.

Ok so this is not everything and I probably forgot some stuff but thought I would give you some of what I do and have learned. If you have any questions please feel free to message me. I do not know everything, just some of what I learned by trial and error and by researching.

Taking Charge of You Fertility is a good book.

Good luck!!!!