CD1?

julzy

Super frustrated at another month of BFN, especially as this month would have been my due date from my last MC. I was really hopeful this month.

Anyway, I'm seeing my OBGYN late August so will ask this question then, but I think I might be calculating my O all wrong. Do you count spotting as CD1 or are you starting from the first day of a full flow? I've been counting spotting but that means my periods are averaging 10-14 days. Am I screwing up this whole calendar? My CM this month def didn't feel accurate with the date the calendar would say I'd O. 

I'm going to start fully charting and using ovulation tests this coming month but I'd love to correct my freaking calendar if I've been calculating this wrong for like 5 months now.

rosemaryandthyme

@julzy I'm sorry that you're having a frustrating time with this, and also that you're having to go through your due date time.  Like you said, these are good questions for your doc, but let's see if we can help in the meantime!

From what I understand, CD1 is the first day of an actual flow.  Some women spot for quite a while before CD1 actually arrives (which can be a sign if certain hormonal issues such as low progesterone...so def check with doc about that).

Also, and correct me if I'm misunderstanding, but it is hard to calculate ovulation time simply based on a a predicted date (like assuming everyone ovulates around CD14).  O date can be all over the board and can vary from cycle to cycle based on stress, sickness, hormonal imbalances, etc.  so, if you're going just off of a "should" date, you may be missing your window altogether.  Unfortunately our bodies don't care at all what the calendar says "should" happen. Have you ever read the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility"?  It does an awesome job of teaching you to guage ovulation time based on the signs your body is giving each day, rather than just predicting it by date.  Sorry if I misunderstoof what you were saying, though, and you're already doing all of that stuff!

*edited to add a bit more info

julzy

@rosemaryandthyme Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful response.

I wasn't completely going by the calendar but frankly haven't been really actively monitoring other symptoms and journaling them (CM and temp.) Ive noticed some CM differences during each cycle but haven't been too active about it. I'm definitely going to start now because I think we may have been missing our window some months by not.

Really helpful info about spotting and possible low progesterone. I will absolutely bring this up at my appointment. The spotting for days before my full flow has been fairly consistent since the last MC and wasn't something I typically experienced before. (Now I'm kinda kicking myself for not checking in on this earlier!)

I haven't read the book but will check it out! Again, thank you so much for responding! Really appreciate it. I'm usually a lurker but I'm feeling definitely extra emotional the last few days.

rosemaryandthyme

@julzy You are so welcome!  I hope that you're able to get everything worked out soon.  In the meantime, I think the single best rule if thumb is just to make sure you have sex on the days that you have the eggwhite quality CM (or if you don't ever get that, just any really thin and watery type).  Those are most likely your most fertile days.  After you start charting more, a better picture of what's going on should come together!

I'm glad you de-lurked to ask!  Feel free to join us more here...I'm still really new, but have found everyone to be really welcoming and supportive.  We're all going through similar hard and emotional times, so it helps to stick together

zamoraspin

@julzy Welcome and I second everything @rosemaryandthyme said. Until I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility I was really in the dark about how my cycle worked and how to track it. Also, I'm sorry your EDD is coming up. 

leahcimmichael

@julzy Your cycle sounds like mine. After my MC last November I started having spotting 5-7 days before my period would actually start. I talked to a midwife about it in May, who told me "oh that's normal for a lot of women." But it wasn't normal for me, so I found another doctor who started me on a course of progesterone.
Anyway, from everything I've read and my experience those days of spotting don't count as cycle day 1. *TMI* I usually count my period starting when it's enough flow to saturate a pantyliner or light tampon.
I also use the Fertility Friend app to track my cycles, which is helpful for knowing when to BD. 

vlagrl29

CD1  is when the real red flow starts.  I have 2 days prior of light spotting before AF.

julzy

Just wanted to check in and say thank you! I've been using Fertility Friend and I feel so much more knowledgeable about this whole process. We BD last night after a EWCM and a positive OPK. I'm really hoping things work out this month but even if they don't I feel like I'm at least empowered with more info on my own body. Bought a BBT thermometer to start charting temps if this month doesn't work out. 

Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions! So appreciative! ❤️❤️❤️❤️