Chart stalk/ questions November

marebear15

@daisy0322 - What are your options? and what app are you using?

daisy0322

@marebear15 Ovia... ewcm, watery, school glue, none. I just need to get fertility friend. Do you have to temp with that? 

lulu1180

@daisy0322 Temping is not required with FF, but it's generally suggested if you're not really sure about your cycles.  You should have at a minimum for CM - eggwhite, watery, creamy, sticky, dry. 

Eggwhite - looks like actual egg whites; it is stretchy and can be clear or whitish
Watery - Just as it sounds
Creamy - has a lotion-like consistency
Sticky - more of a glue-like consistency
Dry - no noticeable CM

lcking82

@daisy0322:  I use "creamy/sticky" on Ovia for basically any CM that is NOT watery or slippery (eggwhite).  I don't like the "school glue" moniker they use (because sometimes it's NOT like that), but they do seem to try and keep both included in that category.  Basically, if I'm at all concerned it could be fertile, I'll mark watery/EW, but otherwise I use "glue". 

daisy0322

@lulu1180 thanks ... I just work nights 2 times a week so I just don't see any way that I could temp realistically.

@Icking82 thanks... do you like Ovia other than that?

prpl11butterfly

Q for those who have seen/are with an RE. I know this is probably discussed fairly regularly so I understand if no one feels like doing it again. I also feel awkward heading to the IF thread so I am posting here.

My consult is Dec 13 for repeat loss. By the time my appt happens, I should be done (or just about done) my first "real" AF. I have no idea how quickly/ slowly things will move. Should I be prepared for lab work that day? How long (if at all) can I expect to be benched for testing? I know depending on what the findings are it could be longer. Should I expect to be put in BC? I do understand that this is likely all different depending on the Doc and lots of other things. But I feel better having possible things to expect then going in blind.

chichiphin

@prpl11butterfly I don't have an answer for your question specifically, but I am SO SO glad you advocated and have that Dec 13 appt 

inthewoods23

@prpl11butterfly baseline blood work is done between CD2 and 4 (one of the RNs said 2-5 so it might depend on the place if they will do it on CD5). If your appointment falls in that window they'll have the blood draw during your appointment. If the appointment is outside that window then yes, you will have to wait for your next cycle.

I was told to call the clinic back in about 2 weeks to set up another appointment where we will be putting a game plan together. However, they may call me sooner if they find anything troubling in my blood work results (thankfully at this point just about everything is normal or close to normal for me). I have not been told anything in regards to being benched for the cycle so DH and I will give it 1 more try naturally unless they tell us otherwise at the next appointment which should be right at the start of my FW.

Honestly it probably will feel like things are going slow, but timing is so important and everything will revolve around when you O or when AF comes. I actually had my blood work and U/S a week later than I originally expected because I O'ed almost a week later than was predicted (stress related).

Also, feel free to join us in the IF thread!

lulu1180

@prpl11butterfly I'm so sorry to see you back here, friend.  Depending on where you are in your cycle, it's very likely that you will have some labwork done.  Although certain bloodwork needs to be done on specific days (CD3 for FSH, 7 DPO for progesterone).  

As for joining the IF thread, I certainly understand your apprehension doing so, but please know that everyone in that thread would welcome you with open arms.  We are always happy to answer questions and share the knowledge we have garnered through our collective experiences.  

prpl11butterfly

Thank you @inthewoods23 and @lulu1180. I appreciate the info. And as for IF, I feel like an outsider because my issue looks to be more like RPL. I know some of you have been fighting for a long time and I feel like I'd be barging in all bragging  *disregard if I sound like a crazy person.....

I totally misread the calendar and I will actually be in the "tww", possibly around 8dpo (estimates based on last D&C cycle). My hcg was about 10k lower this time around so things might progress faster. I guess I have to go to the main facility for all services (and that is over an hour away) so I was hoping we could do as much possible while out that way already. 

lulu1180

@prpl11butterfly I understand where you're coming from, but from what I know about you, you are not the kind to come off as bragging; knowing what you have gone through, I don't doubt that you would be pretty sensitive.  And remember, that time trying does not negate your feelings or struggles.  We have never and will never play the pain olympics there.  

Whatever it is that you decide to do, know that I'll be cheering you on from afar.

nomangos23

@prpl11butterfly There were a few blood clotting tests my RE wanted to run but only once we got a negative bHcG for 6 weeks. For me, my first appt they ran a beta, did an ultrasound, then scheduled a hysterosocpy. Once we did the hysteroscopy, she ran TSH, AMH, Lupus/anti coagulant panels, and prolactin. She never ran day 3 blood work as my cycles are normal. She did offer karyotype testing but suggested we probably didn't need it given results we received on our first MC. Hope this helps. 

Also, RPL is considered a form of infertility and the IF gals have welcomed me with open arms.  

prpl11butterfly

@nomangos23 so I'm probably looking at similar routine as my cycles are also normal. If you don't mind me asking, do you have IF coverage in your ins plan and were all the tests covered? I know I have coverage w/deductible so I'm thinking most should be.

nomangos23

@prpl11butterfly Testing is covered but treatment is not. There have been a few "non allowable" expenses I've had to cover on my own during this process. Aside from copays (and the stupid MRI I had to have b/c of a mildly high prolactin level) I've probably paid around $200 out of pocket that ins wouldn't cover for all the testing. 

prpl11butterfly

Thank you @nomangos23. Guess I'll have to take a look at my fsa contributions for 2019....

Another Q. Should I print my FF charts and bring them?

nomangos23

@prpl11butterfly mine wasn't overly interested in them, but I had them on my phone in case she wanted to see them. She was more interested in the basics, how long cycle was, day of O, if I spot before AF, etc. 

kiki047

@prpl11butterfly I had printed my FF charts and cycle date for my RE too but similar to nomangos, he also didn't seem too interested. We covered the basics of when my last cycle started, normal cycle lengths (or whether they were ir/regular), etc. Granted it was only my first appt but it can't hurt to have it right there in front of you. Besides, I dunno about you but when someone asks me a direct question sometimes my mind goes blank and it helps to have answers right in front of you. I also took a list of my vitamins/supplements and dosages. 

prpl11butterfly

@kiki047 the vitamin dosages is a good point, I'll make a list. My charts on my app so I guess I'll save ink/trees if they haven't seemed interested.

inthewoods23

@prpl11butterfly as others have said, my RE wasn't interested in the specifics of my cycles, she just asked for a general idea. I mentioned that my cycles are 30-33 days usually and as low as 28 days and as long as 39, my charts say O is typically between days 16 and 18, sometimes 20 or 24 as well. I think they don't care so much if your cycles are fairly regular.

elle-0409

Hello, everyone! I was wondering if anyone has taken progesterone supplements and had it move up their O date the following cycle? I was diagnosed with a Luteal Phase Defect and prescribed 200mg progesterone starting from 2 DPO until my period shows up. (I went from having a 7 day LP to 11.) I normally O on or around CD 20, but it looks like I'm about to O and I'm only on CD 14. Thanks so much!

inthewoods23

I don't diligently track my CM, but I do make note of it in my head and I understand the progression is dry, stick and/or creamy, watery, then egg white. How many of you have seen more fertile type CM a few days after AF ends?

I'm on CD9 right now, but when I wiped earlier today after using the bathroom my CM seemed to be watery. I'll be keeping track, but has anyone had more fertile CM that goes back to less fertile CM and back again to more fertile CM around the time of O? I shouldn't O for another 10 days or so.

riff323

@inthewoods23 mine does that. From my understanding, it's a red flag of thyroid disorder. I've had mine tested twice and it's normal so I'm not sure what to make of it.

MotherofDragons

@inthewoods23 I have had that happen before. My body gears up to O, fertile CM, and then regrets the decision, and back to non-fertile CM. Repeat until actual O. 

SA0012

Sorry for the TMI but I'm trying to learn about CM so I'm checking daily, even after O.

Today (Sunday) is 9dpo and my apps predict AF will start Tuesday or Wednesday. It was a weird consistency in that it balled up together in a big chunk, it would stretch into one single string for maybe 1.5 or 2" but then ball back up again. But it wasn't tacky at all, if that makes sense. So, I'm not sure what to call that but the bigger thing was that it had blood in it. My first thought was obviously, there's AF!

The angel on my shoulder whispered, "It's not what you wanted but at least you know now and you can relax for awhile." Then the psycho on my other shoulder whispered, "Wait. It's too early for AF. Implantation bleeding? IT'S STILL POSSIBLE! DONT YOU DARE RELAX!"

Is blood in the CM around 9dpo something that has a general possible meaning? Or is it just one of those *anything* is possible flukes?

inthewoods23

@riff323 My TSH and T4 appear to fall in the normal ranges. Don't have the T3 results yet, but I don't think I have a thyroid issue. I'll have to keep track of my CM. It definitely felt wet but maybe it was more of a thin lotion consistency. It was also clear.

riff323

@inthewoods23 after your first post I of course consulted Dr. Google, and it said stress can play a big part. Do you think that could be it?

themadcamel

First, thank you ALL for sharing so much information. I’ve been mostly lurking still despite posting my intro in the newbie thread, but I’ve already learned so much. I’m amazed at what a supportive and knowledgeable community you have built. 

I don’t have anything helpful to contribute yet, but I do have a question. I’ve spent the last couple of days familiarizing myself with FF and went through all the lessons and the final quiz, but one question still comes to mind about checking CM. I read that you can do it just by checking your underwear or when you wipe. I guess I’m wondering how you do that exactly... (sounds so stupid to say haha). Like, I hardly ever see fluid unless it’s of the arousal kind. It seems like a pain to have to dig around my cervix to check, but it’s looking like this is the only option since I can’t for the life of me figure out how to do it any other way. 

Sorry for such an awkward question!

inthewoods23

@themadcamel if you're not seeing any CM when you wipe or in your underwear that's normal. I've personally never tried examining it internally, but when you get some CM you just need to feel it with your fingers and examine coloring and consistency.

riff323

@themadcamel if you don't see it in your undies or after you wipe, you can just check with a finger when you're getting ready to shower (or some other convenient time). I used to do that when it wasn't so obvious.

ETA: you may find that when you're paying attention, suddenly you notice CM when you never used to!

marebear15

@themadcamel - Sometimes after a poop, you can get some CM to come down so you don't have to check by your cervix.

prpl11butterfly

@themadcamel I've also found that the better hydrated I am the more my cm is noticeable. 

themadcamel

@inthewoods23 and @riff323 thanks, and you’re right— I’m sure I’ll be suddenly seeing it everywhere once I become more attuned to it haha. 

@marebear15 good to know! 

@prpl11butterfly that definitely makes sense and it would explain why I don’t see much of it. I often struggle to drink enough water. I need to get better about that!

prpl11butterfly

@themadcamel I download the app hydrocoach that was recommended by a fellow member. It has been my favorite so far (and I've tried quite a few.....)

themadcamel

prpl11butterfly said:

@themadcamel I download the app hydrocoach that was recommended by a fellow member. It has been my favorite so far (and I've tried quite a few.....)

Thanks, I’ll check it out. My bff bought one of those smart water bottles that tracks water intake and swears buy it, but I’m not sure I could justify spending that much on a water bottle. 

daisy0322

So I just started using fertility friend and it moved up my O day from my 14th day(I was using that until I established a pattern) to my 12th day. Is FF pretty reliable? I don't see how after 5 days that it would know enough to change it and the app retroactively adjusted it.

lulu1180

@daisy0322 I would say that it is generally pretty reliable.  Although the more information you put in, the more accurate it will be.  What info are you tracking in FF exactly?

daisy0322

@lulu1180 I'm only tracking cm, cervix, and opk. I can't temp because I work nights twice a week

inthewoods23

@daisy0322 I find that my O date gets changed depending on the OPK results I enter. Got some +OPKs this weekend and it moved my O date to about tomorrow instead of later in the week. What data did you enter that caused it to change?

daisy0322

@inthewoods23 it changed when I updated my cm 

lulu1180

@daisy0322 Can you post a screenshot of your chart along with the explanation of what exactly changed?  That might help us to figure out what FF did and why.

Also, even if you work nights twice a week, you can still temp, although your chart might be a bit rocky.  I've seen people still get CHs from FF with a rocky chart.  Generally, it's best to take your temp at the same time every day.  But if you're unable to do that, you can do it after you wake up, regardless what time that is.
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/BBT-and-shift-work.html