OPKs & charting question (i intend on starting)

KirstenAlecia

(loss mentioned)

Ok so after my cycle returns after this loss I intend on charting. 

Now we are benched from TTC until March but Id like to start asap.

Does that make sense to start before we can actually start TTC? What about OPKs??  Would OPKs be pointless prior to actually TTC?

What did you other ladies who were benched for a time do?

Nikolie93

Hey lady! I hope you're doing ok  

I am currently benched and decided to start charting/temping. That way when I can TTC again, I will understand a bit more. Charting is a bit overwhelming for me, it's taking a bit of time to get used to what everything means. I am so glad that I started last month though. 

You may want to ask yourself if you will be dedicated while you are benched. I have to set my alarm for 5:35 am every morning to temp, even on the days I would normally get to sleep in. 

Fertility Friend sends you lessons each day (I think there are 20 total) and they helped me tremendously! 

I have to admit, I am not really using the OPK's too much but if you do, go on Amazon and get the cheaper ones. Most use the Wondfo brand. I use Babi but I haven't heard of many using them. 

KirstenAlecia

I think I am just curious if i am regularly ovulating. Maybe it will help me know before we get to go back to TTC. 

I told H that maybe I'm not and us getting PG was just a fluke. 

But since i was more in the NPNT camp (because it was kind if a pain to temp.....i could never see the reading on the Thermometer since I'm blind as a bat without contact lenses)

Im more wanting to know now more than ever what is going on with me.

wannabmama23

I wasn't going to temp bc I wanted to wait and see, not add pressure, etc., but I'm so glad I started. I have learned a lot about my body and the patterns are interesting. I don't do opk bc I can't test during the day and I'm not ready to add that yet, but I do think temping would be great even before you TTC again, as long as it won't drive you batty!

Nikolie93

@KirstenAlecia‌ I say try the temping and see how you feel about it! I'm glad I started while I'm benched because it would have driven me crazy not understanding when I was TTC.

MySallyGirl

I started learning to temp and chart before I got married and was even sexually active and found it very enlightening!

meredithcarole

I say temp, but don't waste money on OPKs until you're off the bench.

hooligans4

I say definitely start temping now to help you get in the habit of doing it. Your cycles will be off for the next few months because of your loss but will probably even out before you can ttc again. If you start now you will have a few charts to look at your first month trying. You can figure out if you are Oing or not. I wouldn't bother with opk's until you start trying again. But a few months of charting and you should see a pattern and know about what o happens.
Take charge lady, and good luck.

vh2014

I also agree with the temping and waiting on OPK.  I started temping at day 28 and am really glad I did.  I'm now on CD76 and while the temps haven't helped me TTC, they have helped me see what happens when I have wine, dont' sleep, get jet lagged, take my thyroid medicine at a weird time, or even just temp'ed late.  I've discovered for me, that if I wake up at 4am with DH by accident and temp and then temp again at my normal 5:30 time it's within hundredths so that reassured me that if I am sleeping light it's probably ok. 

So I've learned a lot from temping, even if I am still in my ridiculous long stupid limbo cycle.  I'd say go for it.  Plus, you'll be in the habit come March and it will just be second nature. 

ETA: I plan on using all that info when I am actually in a cycle where we might be able to TTC. 

thirtyninetoforty

I agree - temping is the way to go so you know what your body is doing.  My temps were fairly even so I could always see my O but I know many don't have that for various reasons but they could always see a pattern when they O'd.  As far as OPKs - I would test with the wondfo strips this way you can also see the +OPK's in correlation with the temp spike and learn what your body does...just my thoughts.

thirtyninetoforty

I agree - temping is the way to go so you know what your body is doing.  My temps were fairly even so I could always see my O but I know many don't have that for various reasons but they could always see a pattern when they O'd.  As far as OPKs - I would test with the wondfo strips this way you can also see the +OPK's in correlation with the temp spike and learn what your body does...just my thoughts.

flyliceandcoffee

I was gonna say exactly what @hooligans4 said. if you wait until you're actually ttc-ing, ff won't have the "history" and it could be harder to actually predict ovulation that first couple months.

KirstenAlecia

Thank you ladies. 

So should i wait for AF to return or start now??? 

Guess i should download FF.

Nikolie93

I don't see a reason why you can't start now to get used to it!

And FF will send you lessons each day (total of 20) that I found super helpful.

URMySunshine77

Good luck, Kirsten! 

WinoGrrl

Good Luck! FF was pretty helpful to figure everything out.