When did you start charting/temping?

StephNJohn2008

I have to confess... I am NOT an easy going person lol. I try, I really do, but I love rules and routines haha. I originally thought charting wasn't for me, at least not for a few months, but the more I hang out around here the more I think I should. We are starting to TTC next month, this month I'm just keeping track of my CM and seeing how long my cycle is. It's always been 23 days but we'll see... now that I want it to be regular it probably won't be haha. I bought OPKs off amazon yesterday... I'm just worried about starting off with charting and if it will make me more nuts than I already am.

 Did you chart right from the get go, or just TTC for a bit before? I know in the end it's up to me (and DH) but I was curious what others did.

KdgTeacher

I started charting before we even started TTC.  I wanted to make sure I was ovulating and I figured it was a good way to predict when my period was coming since I stopped taking BC.

If you are getting towards the end of this cycle, it really is a toss up.  Some ladies will tell you to start now to "get in the habit of it" and others (like myself) would say to wait until CD 1 and then start.  It really is up to you.

kelly2983

We've been TTC for 7 months. The first month we got pregnant but it ended up being a chemical pregnancy. It's funny though - I had no clue what charting was so I googled when was the best time to have sex to get pregnant and found a website with an online calculator sort of thing (lol). I entered the first day of my last period & it gave me a range of 3 dates. We had sex twice that month and I ended up getting pregnant. Crazy, I still can't believe it.

I've been charting for the last 6 months. The first two weeks of my cycle, I don't think about my chart at all. However, in the 2WW, I stare at the thing & over-analyze it like crazy. But all in all, I like knowing what's going on with my body. Just try not to get too invested in it or get your hopes up if AF arrives.

Squishy622

I started my 2nd cycle, but wish I had started sooner. Good luck!

p.s. I like your blog, I'm a food blogger too!

bailarina13

I like rules and routines too, therefore, for me, I started charting right away because I felt like it would be the only way I could keep track of what my body is doing. I'ts my first cycle and I may be obsessing a bit already, but it gives me a sense of control.

Actingdiva09

I started charting after I was 2 weeks "late" and kept getting BFN's. That was month 7 of TTC. Then my cycles got longer. My cycles were ALWAYS 28 days on the money. I even knew what time of day AF would first appear. After the weird cycle, they went longer, so I'm glad I was charting. They just recently got back to a more normal length, but I still chart.

Apparently I was wrong about my O date. I had thought I was Oing around CD14 (like the calenders say) but it was really 16/17/18. Charting is your best aid in TTC.

monkeymom101908

I did one cycle un-charted and then when BFN came I began to temp.  So glad that I did, this cycle I ovulated on CD 24.....um.....10 days later than the "normal" 14 day ovulation.  I've learned that there is nothing normal about ovulation timing.

Jing22

I've charted for years...at first it was to avoid. Charting is a heads up to so many health related things for women... not just pregnancy.

MrsNash37212

I started charting our 2nd cycle TTC. I originally went on BCP for wonky cycles, so I wanted to be sure I was actually ovulating. Now, I like it since I know for sure when AF is going to show up.

foxxy1

I started charting the month we began trying but I wasn't serious/diligent about it. I started to take it seriously on month 2 but this past month I haven't been as dedicated to it due to other things going on.

greeneyed_bride

This is our first month TTC and also my first month charting. I thought it would be a good idea to chart from the beginning because I just got off of birth control, and everything I read said that it could take a few months before I'd actually start ovulating again. I figured that if I temped, I'd know what month I had actually started ovulating and could talk to my OBGYN if I hadn't ovulated after a while. But I ovulated the first month! Woo hoo!

KYmama9286

We are on our 4th cycle of trying and our 1st cycle of charting. I got pregnant unexpectedly (we had planned on starting to try in Oct 09 and I got pg in July 09 so not a huge difference and we obviously weren't being very careful with using condoms). Since I got pg so easily with DS I figured we would just try and see how things went. The first cycle we just had sex whenever, without me paying much attention to where in my cycle I thought I was. No dice.

The 2nd month trying I paid more attention to what was going on, guessed on when I thought I would O and just had sex that whole week, still no baby. Then last month I tried using OPK's and charting my CM but I never got a positive, but was pretty sure about when I O'd based on CM changes and we had sex that whole week to try and catch it knowing that I could O a few days earlier or a few days later than I "thought".

After not getting pg on cycle 2 I was pretty sad, and then after not getting pg after cycle 3 I was REALLY upset (made me realize how much I really wanted to get pg). For this cycle I am using OPK's, charting my temps, checking my CM and cervical position and I am wishing I would have started earlier. There hasnt been any huge surprises yet (got a +OPK yesterday and I think a temp rise that will indicate O'ing, I need to see what my temps are for the next few days to confirm) but its been nice just being more aware and if I had started 3 months ago than maybe I would have had more charts to compare with.

bandwife928

I didn't start charting for about six months.  If you're a rules and routines gal, you'll be a natural charter.  The people who don't take to it are usually the ones who are more fly-by-the-seat.

mrssoprano

I started charting after the first cycle. I'm glad I did because otherwise I would not know how short my LP is and that I may need to get help for it.

P.S. I have been a follower of your blog for a while (I've seen you on other boards) and really enjoy your recipes. In fact, I am enjoying the Cheerios Banana Muffins now

btsrc5

I charted right away.  I figured if it takes us a while and we end up having to go to the dr, it would be helpful to have the information.  I am very glad I started.  I tried to take a month off, but ended up charting CM anyway.  I don't like not charting

Nikkoli110

I really wish I had started sooner. DH wanted us to try the "lets see what happens" route at first. But my cycles have always been wacky, so I kind of figured it wouldn't happen. And I got really frustrated with them being so long and crazy, so I hadn't starting temping until this cycle. 

KayteandRob

this is our 3rd month TTC.  i haven't temped at all yet, but have been charting CM.  that's pretty much it though.  i've decided that if we don't get KU this cycle, i'm going to start temping.  i just want to be sure i'm ovulating and all that.

michaela080

I started charting my 2nd cycle.

StephNJohn2008

mrssoprano:

P.S. I have been a follower of your blog for a while (I've seen you on other boards) and really enjoy your recipes. In fact, I am enjoying the Cheerios Banana Muffins now

Aw, I'm glad! That's so kind to hear.  

mchupie

We started from the get go and will use it to TTA until we are ready to TTC #2.