need some quick feedback

daizedoo

Hello!

I'm 35 and we are TTC...this is our first month. Since I am 35, I am realistic that this might not happen right away.

So I bought a BBT and an OPK from Target.

I've been tracking my periods over the last few years on an iphone app, and in the last 6 months my cycle has gone from being 28-29 days religiously to 25 days. I followed the app suggestions for my fertile window, and actually had a lot of cramping and generally felt like crap on CD 11. I figured I was getting ready to O. EWCM happened on CD 13. We BD'd pretty regularly that week. Today for fun, not expecting anything, I decided to use one of the OPK strips to see how easy it would be to read the results. I have one of the cheap kits from Target, it's not digital. It read positive ...really positive. Can that be right??? From online research I've been doing on this, I know that I shouldn't rely on the app for my fertile window but I have creamy to no CM right now, no other symptoms. The cramping I felt had on CD11 had to mean something happened. Since I entered my positive OPK results into the app, my fertility window has changed to right now. I only started charting BBT this morning. Should we BD again?

Maybe my cycle is off this month due to all these thoughts and planning? It hasn't been off in a long time. Just looking for some opinions and feedback. Thanks so much!

lcwed

I'm not sure how much I can be, just wanted to say Welcome. This is a great group. As for the OPK results, maybe check the directions. I know some kits consider it positive only if the line is the same as the controll

kindershlitz

Welcome. It's not going to hurt to bd so I say definitely do it.
For me, I get positive opks anywhere from day 16-20 not that that means much for you. They do align with my temp shift too. Although the apps are handy I think your temps and opks will be more reliable and apps will help more with added data.
I never really have physical signs of ovulation like cramping so I'm no help.
Anyway, good luck!

daizedoo

Thanks, you two! I will need to create an intro post!

I never have signs either...my cycle is pretty uneventful, aside from a few cramps of day 1-2 of AF.

URMySunshine77

I had a similar experience this month. CD12-14 I had watery CM and CD15-17 I had EWCM. I was using OPKS for the first time since CD10 just in case my O was early. In the past, I had O'ed on CD14. I got a positive OPK on the morning of CD17. So I assumed that I would O on CD 18; however, by midnight on CD17 my CM was dry. The following day I had a little EWCM, but it left me wondering if I O'ed on CD17.

So here is what I read through my obsessive research. Cramping does not necessarily correspond with the O time. We could cramp *around* O, but we might not be able to identify the exact O moment when cramping. Also, a site said that we O on the day that we have the most EWCM; however, some women O without fertile CM, so it's not 100% accurate. 

danieleandwayne

You may be ramping up to O, then not O, then ramp up again to O later. Charting your temps and using OPKs for a few months will give you a sense of what is "normal" for you. Also, you may have had a burst cyst-- your eggs form a cyst that releases the egg. If it bursts too soon/early, it releases some chemicals that cause a ton of pain and discomfort. And you will most likely be anovulatory that month-- but not always. So BD away, just to be on the safe side. 

The length of your cycle is not as important as the length of your luteal phase (LP), which needs to be longer than 10 days. Less than 10 days and you have an issue that needs to be addressed. And an LP that is less than 10 days is not compatible with successful conception (there may be exceptions to this that prove the rule, but I have yet to hear of any). 

Hope this helps!

Welcome to the board and good luck!

ksgsmu

I get cramps ( and o pain)  several days before I actually ovulate...

good luck!

Davie813

I agree with pps that O pain isn't the most reliable indicator of ovulation, and that when in doubt, BD!

If your cycle has consistently shortened from 28-29 days to 25, it might be worth visiting your doctor for CD 3 bloodwork, etc, to see what's up and where you are.  Good luck!

daizedoo

Thanks ladies!

Which cycle days do I OPK, and how often? 1, 2x a day?

ksgsmu

Davie813  has recomended about seeing your doctor.  A shorter period should be looked into while TTC. Being 35 and TTC I would be proactive and make an appointment to discuss your questions and concerns with your doctor and at that time she/he may want to run some test or tell you to come back in 6 months if not pregnant etc.... 

ksgsmu

also take the free tutorials on FF if you haven't already... they are very helpful

daizedoo

Thank you! I had planned to make an appt. When I got married, I picked up his insurance (which is Kaiser) and moved 1.5 hours away from my doctor. So, I am starting out in a new clinic and a new doctor.