Anyone who took a "charting break"...

Tootermi

Did it ease your mind and make that cycle any easier for you? I'm thinking about not temping this cycle...but I'm not sure it's good for me. I don't want to regret not temping when I'm not really sure what's going on...

Please tell me what your experience was and any advice you can offer.

TIA

MissyC979

I didn't chart my last (BFP) cycle. I felt reasonably comfortable about my O date and we just widened our sex window to make sure we covered the full range of days based on previous cycles.

I was a little nervous at certain points during the cycle, especially during O time. However, it was good for me overall. I had been obsessing too much during the 2ww over every temperature fluctuation. I think if I didn't get my BFP, I probably would have temped until O, then avoid temping for the rest of the cycle.

mrsnicolew

I'm pretty regular....so once I charted for a few months and got my schedule down I took a charting break and we just let nature take its course. 2 months later I got my BFP.

Good luck!

2006july15bride

I took one on cycle 11. But then again DH was away for 10 days so I knew the chances of a bfp were slim to nothing.  I did enjoy it though.  When I started again this cycle I decided to be a little more relaxed about the whole thing.  I temp now when I wake up...no more alarm clock on the weekends.  I am far less stressed about it.  I figure I've charted long enough that I can read what my body is doing even if my temps are a little off.

nova & paul

I took a break from temping in, I think it was Oct. And it was horrible!!! I was stressed out not knowing if my temps were high. Though no that we've been trying longer I think I'm at the point where I just don't care as much anymore...

Anasara

Really, at this point the only reason I am still temping is to show whatever specialist we get referred to after my HSG that my cycles are very regular & ovulatory.  Only 2 more cycles til the 12 cycle mark which they say they want to see.  Then we're heading down the IUI or IVF road.

Joeypnut

I'm taking a break only because my meds cause my temps to go up anyways, so it's not reliable.  If I wasn't on meds, I think I would still temp.  My cycles are long, and my O date isn't consistant, so I like to confirm that I o'ed with temps, since I have gotten positive opks a few times in a cycle.  I will use opks though to help.

Savat

I quit temping the first three months we tried (I had temped for 3 months leading up to it) and I really regretted it. My cycles went to $hit and I had nothing to help me figure it out. OPKs weren't working for me (not sure I was even o'ing) so I didn't know if my timing was good. But I'm a bit of a control frreak. You need to do what you're comfortable with. If you will be less stressed, maybe you should consider it.

Glowconsin

I took one this month.  Actually, I just kinda forgot to start temping after AF.  It was really great, until the last couple days.  It was nice not to have to think about temping in the mornings, and it was just kind of relieving overall.  Again, it's just been the last couple days that I've wondered about it.

Tootermi

Savat:

I quit temping the first three months we tried (I had temped for 3 months leading up to it) and I really regretted it. My cycles went to $hit and I had nothing to help me figure it out. OPKs weren't working for me (not sure I was even o'ing) so I didn't know if my timing was good. But I'm a bit of a control frreak. You need to do what you're comfortable with. If you will be less stressed, maybe you should consider it.

I'm a complete control freak....which is why at this point I think I would freak out if I wasn't temping....and by the way I PM'd you.

Savat

PM'd you back and sent you a gmail chat request.

kimandjared

I took last month off because we were going on vacation. I really regretted it towards the end. At first it was nice, but in the 2ww.... I hated not knowing exactly what day I O'd. I just guessed bc OPK's never work for me. This month I am only charting till I confirm O and stopping during the 2ww. I obsess way too much during that time!

sspyles

I took a break my BFP cycle (and 6th cycle). I'd had enough of temping, and it helped me to relax a little. I did use OPKs and widened my sex window a little. We had sex just about everyday during the week I was O'ing. I also added Pre-Seed due to lack of EWCM.

Mrs.M317

i took a few months off when we were looking for a house, finding a mortgage, and moving.  I was ok with that, but it was difficult for me because I could never be sure if I O'd or not.  I'd had annovulatory and late Oing cycles, so I was a little nervous/stressed around days 30.  I am happy to be charting again and can't wait to try preseed.  GL with whatever you decide!

jessiecow

i didn't chart my bfp cycle or the one before it.  i was pretty sure about my O dates, and we just had sex every other dayish starting about a week before my usual O date and continuing for a week after.  parts of me wished that i had temped so that i knew when i could test.  but i just guessed on when would be safe to test and got lucky.

now the cycle before my bfp was another story.  i had a crazy cycle that time.  i charted til we left on vacation and was given cross-hairs but i don't think i really Oed then, if i had continued to temp it probably would have been moved.   that cycle drove me crazy. 

i guess that didn't help cause i had a good and bad cycle while not charting.  good luck either way toot!

Leenie_89

We got pregnant the second cycle we stopped charting. I personally preferred it, I did watch my CM, and the only part I remember not liking was that I wasn't sure when I O'd so I didn't know for sure when AF was due. Overall though, I found I was happy with our choices.

UMichGirl

I have taken a "post-O" charting break.  Last cycle I only wanted to chart up until I knew I O'd.  I know how long my LP usually is, so I would know about when to expect AF.  I did take my temp a day or two throughout the two weeks after O was confirmed, but it was definitely nice and not nearly as stressful for me analyzing every day's temp.

I had the same intention with this cycle (to only chart until O was confirmed) but because I had some open circles right around O time I wasn't sure if FF was correct or not...and I know sometimes when you keep charting it will adjust your O date.  I won't wake myself up to chart on the weekends though.

I guess my point is, if you're like me and still like knowing that you are O'ing (and when you are) you could always just chart up until you got CHs.  Good luck!

Rhonie82

I do not chart my temps anymore. I do get a bit obsessive over them and drive myself crazy with sticks. DH and I decided it would be in our benefit to just use OPK's and I check my CM. We also use preconceive (this is our first cycle using it). I feel like a lot of pressure has been taking off of my shoulders.