Newbie...Hi! Also, Chart Confusion

elliesue3314

Hi there! I've been a lurker for a bit, but this is my first post. DH is 31 and I'm 28. This is month 3 of TTC for us, and we're really excited, but as you guys know, it can also get really consuming and stressful. I'm really Type A, he's really...not. I'm trying not to go insane worrying about everything, but I just really don't have the perfect '28 day cycle with unquestionable temp rise and gobbs of EWCM' type of cycle so I'm constantly freaking out that something is wrong with me. So forgive the fact that my first time posting here is to ask a question...also, I've read the "Before You Post" thing and really hope I'm posting in the right place because you guys all seem very knowledgeable and supportive (and funny!). If I'm not, please just tell me and I'll go somewhere else! Here's my question:

This is my first full month charting. My cycles are 32-39 days (average 34). I temp orally with a BBT thermometer. FF is set to Advanced and pinned O at CD21, but yesterday it took away my crosshairs.  At first I was taking BBT at 7:00, but waking up a lot anticipating it = inconsistent data. So I switched to 4:45am. That's why there are open circles at the beginning of the month. I had discarded those and one on CD24 after going to bed at 2:45 and temping only 2 hours later. I have put them back now so you all can see them. When I discarded them before yesterday, it was giving me crosshairs, but yesterday's temp took the crosshairs away! 

My post-O temps have been very low, but when I did have crosshairs, FF put my coverline at 97.3. So...do you think I Oed? It seems I have a 2 day temp rise after a pre-O dip on CD 20, but then back to pre-o levels. If I didn't O, why the spike? If I did, why the low pre-o temps? Could I have low progesterone levels? Also...should I be concerned about PCOS with my long-ish cycles, multiple OPKs and EWCM "spurts" and possible anovulatory cycle? I've never missed a period and have no other PCOS symptoms at all. 

Sorry for such a long post!!  I know more data would help, but I thought I'd see what people thought. Any thoughts/advice would be great. TIA! https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/51498d

TheBorg7of9

Hi, your link didn't work. Try again?

Don't discard temps yet. Especially on your first month before you get the hang of it. Discarding is for out of the ordinary circumstances

97.3 is a perfectly normal coverline.

Ovulation is proven by a SUSTAINED temp rise. Which can be shown by 3 high temps. Regardless, temps vary. A high or low temp doesn't mean anything by itself. A dip MAY happen before ovulation, but it's not a reliable indicator of anything.

39 days is not a long cycle and why do you think you are not ovulating?

Cythe

Thanks for the link @bibliothecary‌

OP - I tend to think you've O'd but your temps do not reflect that. I'd suggest vaginal temping next cycle to try and even out your chart.

Also, I read that you temp at 4:45 (which is fine) but if you happen to be like me, the earlier I temp, the lower my temp is. I suspect if you temped at 6 or so, you'd notice your coverline be higher. This doesn't mean anything is wrong, its just part of figuring out how temping works for you.

Welcome and good luck.

Also, 39 days isnt all that long. Its not short, and its quite frustrating but not a problem.

3houlagirl

Welcome!

I had the exact same problem as you this cycle; FF gave me crosshairs even though my post-o temps are the same as my pre-o temps. I have not yet ovulated, FF can be wrong.

Everyone's advice here is great. Just keep temping and assume you haven't o'd until you agree with FF. Also, the individual temps don't mean anything; the range can change from cycle to cycle.

TheBorg7of9

Okay. I looked at your chart. It does not show ovulation, but you might have messed it up by switching times on cycle day 13. Just keep temping, and having sex. I know it's frustrating, but it's the only thing you can do.

I don't know much about PC OS. But I tend to think that if you have no symptoms you might not have it.

elliesue3314

Thanks, ladies. This is all fabulous advice. Sorry my chart wasn't there at first! I fixed it in the original post and in my sig now if anyone else has another idea for me. I knew that pre-o dips aren't "required" and I've definitely been looking for that sustained temp rise, which I suppose started all the confusion in the first place. @cythe and @TheBorg7of9, you're totally right about the possibility of things being messed up by me switching the time mid-cycle. I'm switching to temping vaginally next cycle and definitely will not change times mid-cycle, no matter what! Thanks again for the welcome and all your advice! I won't be a stranger. 

TheBorg7of9

bibliothecary said:

Step 1. Convince all newbies to temp vaginally

Step 2. ???

Step 3. PROFIT!

Seriously. The op's temps are not even erratic.

FJM85

Hi and welcome!

KingLED

Welcome.

I'm going to assume PP have covered your questions because that's a lot to read and I'm lazy.

elliesue3314

Haha yes KingLED, I think I'm good. Temp went back up a bit this morning so maybe FF will give me crosshairs back by the end of the month. It'd be nice to figure out what my luteal phase is for timing and whatnot. Thanks, everyone! (Also, what's your advice for newbies getting involved and aquainted? I don't just want to jump in and answer other people's questions before I'm a "regular," but also don't want to just be constantly posting questions!)

elliesue3314

Thanks @bibliothecary. I just found the wto and tww threads. Also, DH is loling about your teen crush right now.  )