Intro and questions...

jbwed1

Hi! My husband and I have recently decided to start trying to conceive in the upcoming months. I am 35 and he is 40. About 5 months ago I went off the pill, but we were still using protection EXCEPT for one time only in the past month...when we did not. My period is like clockwork and I have an app to track it, and it's always spot on. However, this month I started spotting on day 28 and 29....which is typical. But nothing but spotting in the following days when my period is typically quite heavy. Here we are now on day 35 of the cycle, and I still have not had to use a tampon bc the spotting is so light. Even stranger, I've had zero cramping and I never go a period without having to take multiple painkillers for my awful cramps. So, this morning I take a pregnancy test and it's negative. What gives? Is there another explanation? Is it just a fluke? Just wondering if anyone has experienced such a drastic change in their cycle. Thanks in advance for the help ladies!

meredithcarole

Welcome.  I have no idea what went on with your cycle this month.  Maybe someone else here has some insight or a guess.  What I will say is that you should start temping and charting so that you know if you O'd late (which I did last month for the first time ever and had a 32 day cycle instead of my normal 27ish day cycle).  I would maybe wait another few days and test again, but it is sounding like some sort of anomaly.  Maybe also give your doctor a call for some medical advice. 

kelley72

Welcome.  I'd hazard a guess that you O'd late bc and perhaps your period is lighter this cycle.  If you haven't done so, look into the book by Toni Weschler Taking Charge of Your Fertility, and find out about charting your bbt and secondary fertility signs , learn alot by looking into fertilityfriend site is a wonderful tool.  If you don't have a +hpt by 60 days, give your gyn a call for a script to bring on your cycle.  Best wishes!

flyliceandcoffee

I don't have a whole lot to add, except hi there and welcome

Davie813

Welcome!

jbwed1

Thank you for the warm welcome and quick replies:) I definitely need to temp and chart... So I will begin that. As I am new to this, I'm a little unsure when to start using my OPK, as my doctor recommended. If this IS my period, and there were no heavy days to officially count as Day 1 of the cycle, do I just guesstimate on when to use the OPK? Sorry, just a little confused about how to go about that. Of course, the month I plan start the OPK is the month that's wacky! Thanks again for the help and recommendations!

vh2014

Temp, temp,temp. Take it from the clockwork girl who didn't who is on cd 38 wondering wtf and wishing she had (and started temping already to get in the habit for next cycle). Watch for the temp shift to confirm. I was told to start opk on day 8 if you hadn't temp'ed and we're just guessing but not sure that was good advice, and I didn't do it.

flyliceandcoffee

@jbwed1 I'd probably start using opks the day after bleeding ends, but start keeping track of your temps now.

C_Girlie

Hi welcome. Sorry I don't have any advise for u. Good luck in ur TTC journey

jbwed1

Thanks for the advice ladies!

lcwed

You got some great advice.  I wanted to say welcome and good luck!

wvarn

Hello and welcome. Everyone else has already gave some good advise so I'm just dropping in to say hi.

MySallyGirl

I can't answer any of your questions either, but welcome.

TAT2MAMI

Don't have much to add except for welcome and best of luck!

wannabmama23

Others have covered most of the questions, so I'll just say welcome. There's lots of info on the site, so hopefully you can learn more as you go! I certainly have

Cycles change all the time, so there's not much you can do but try to gather as much info (temp/chart) as you can and wait to see what happens!

Nikolie93

Good advice already given, just saying welcome and good luck!

jbwed1

Ladies, do you use the chart found in Taking Charge of Your Fertility or create your own/just keep a log? I've tried temping in the past, and I swear I have the hardest time remembering to do it. The thermometer is right there by the bed... I tell myself I'll do it first thing in the a.m., but when the alarm goes off I jump up and forget. Any tips to keeping consistent? Gotta retrain my brain:/

Nikolie93

I haven't started temping yet but what is the first thing you do when you wake up? Maybe set a secondary alarm 15 minutes after you wake up as a reminder?

stemi

@jbwed1‌ download the fertility friend app-- it is great for charting your temps and tracking other fertility signs!

wvarn

@jbwed1‌ I use fertility friend also. I found it through the awesome women on this board. It's easy to plug you temps and symptoms in and it analyzes them for you. It has an app or you can get it through you computer. I leave my phine at bedside beside my thermometer. As soon as I take my temp I enter it into phone, but if you choose you could write it down and enter it when your more awake.

kelley72

@jbwed1 as other's have stated fertility friend is the most recommended chart tool most of us have found.  It is simple to use and helps pinpoint not only your most fertile days (after chart history), but predicts O date, and then provides confirmation with easy to see crosshair indicators.  Best wishes

jbwed1

Thanks once again.... Fertility Friend it is:) I'll check it out!