So who charts? who doesn't? Why or why not?

candr09

I'm assuming (and correct me if I'm wrong) that most of the ladies on this board chart? I know when I was trying with DD that was the advice I got from everyone!

I havn't decided if I'll chart while trying for #2. With DD I attempted to chart for about a month before I realized it was causing me more stress than it was worth at that point. I never woke up at the same time, my sleep schedule was (and still is) all over the place. I forgot a lot. And the idea of knowing when I was ovulating took the fun out of DH and I's sex life because it became more of a job instead of because we wanted to.

I think I might want to give charting another try this time around, but I'm afraid I'll run into the same issues as last time. I feel like without charting I won't really have much to talk about on here. I mean I'll never know if/when I ovulate, if I'm in the 2ww, how DH and I's timing was. TTC will just be a shot in the dark. which will be fine if we're successful right away, but if we're trying for a while I'm going to want to know these things! And I feel like charting is probably the things you get better at the more you do it. I don't want to be trying for 6+ months and then decide to start charting and not really know whats going on.

So I'm just wondering what you do and what your reasons are.

ukcats27

I chart so I know what is going on with my body.  Really, it's that simple.

jmc1017

I've not been charting.  We just started ttc.  Charting and all of that seems very overwhelming to me so I've been lurking to get a general idea of what it's about.  I signed up for FF but haven't really used it other than to note AF.  

 If I don't get my BFP this month, I will likely start charting next.   

byrne15

I charted for 14 cycles and felt like I was able to see a pattern that was consistant.  I quit temping because I was becoming obsessed with it and have been more at ease since I quit.  Plus, I am in monitored cycles right now anyway by my RE

Squishy622

Long story short: I used to do the whole shebang but I'm really prone to anxiety and obsessing over my chart was stressing me out so much that it was affecting my quality of life. Once I realized that, I cut out temping, and it's been much better since then.

I'm able to tell that I'm ovulating without temping (obviously not 100% positive without the temps but I have no reason to believe I'm not). I'm a firm believer in doing what works for you, and in your case I can definitely see both sides. FWIW, I still feel like a welcome, active participant on this board even though I don't take my temps. HTH!

siple1am

Chart if you want to know what is going on, if you think it will take the fun out of it, then don't.  Most women want to have the best chances of getting pregnant, so therefore, we chart. Good luck to you.

Belizelovers

I am not charting at this time because I would like to be as stress free as possible and the idea of all of it seems so stressful to me.. We have only been ttc for two months and I know that if we are not successful in the first six months I will start with O kits.  Then who knows maybe chart I know alot of other ladies seem to enjoy it but I think it is a personal choice on what you do to TTC

yunk11

I did not chart while trying for DD. I had pretty regular cycles and figured we would try for a while and see what happens. We were lucky and get pregnant on cycle 2.

This time, since my pp AF returned, my cycles have been all over the place. Ranging from 29-53 days. I starting temping so that I at least know that I O'd. If I didn't temp, I would probably be spending a TON of $ on hpt.  

As a side note, I thought temping would be a major pain in the butt, but so far, it's really not a big deal. It's just a good reason to spend another minute or two laying in bed!  

ukcats27

Belizelovers:

I am not charting at this time because I would like to be as stress free as possible and the idea of all of it seems so stressful to me.. We have only been ttc for two months and I know that if we are not successful in the first six months I will start with O kits.  Then who knows maybe chart I know alot of other ladies seem to enjoy it but I think it is a personal choice on what you do to TTC

I disagree with not charting being stress free.  I have charted for a few cycles and this past cycle I didn't chart.  I was way more stressed when I wasn't charting because I didn't know when I ovulated or when my period was coming.

alf005

I chart now, but I'm not sure if I will continue to or not, I decide at the beginning of each cycle if I want to or not.

I eased myself into charting first by tracking CM only, then adding OPKs, then adding BBT. It was easier for me to get used to one element before adding another, because I knew if I felt overwhelmed it would turn me off to the idea and I wouldn't do it.

If you don't want to jump into full fledged charting right away, maybe start with OPKs alone because that will at least hint at your fertile window, even if using them doesn't confirm O.

jewls261521

I just started charting this cycle because I found it interesting and like others have said, I like knowing what my body is doing. I'm still getting used to it, and my sleep schedule is also a little wacky, but I figure I'll get the hang of it. And hopefully, I won't have to do it very long. DH and I are totally ready for a baby

AnoraStar

ukcats27:

I chart so I know what is going on with my body.  Really, it's that simple.

This. I cannot express enough how thankful I am that I chart. If I didn't, I wouldn't know that I don't O very well/often.

I get EWCM around CD 18 and feel crampy feelings. I would have assumed I'd O'd and gone on with my day. Charting becomes obsessive only if you let it.

Take your temp, record it in FF and carry on as usual. If you don't want a chart to obsess over, write down your temps in a notebook and then add them into FF at the end of the month. Then you can analyze everything once its over with.

GL.

candr09

AnoraStar:

ukcats27:

I chart so I know what is going on with my body.  Really, it's that simple.

This. I cannot express enough how thankful I am that I chart. If I didn't, I wouldn't know that I don't O very well/often.

I get EWCM around CD 18 and feel crampy feelings. I would have assumed I'd O'd and gone on with my day. Charting becomes obsessive only if you let it.

Take your temp, record it in FF and carry on as usual. If you don't want a chart to obsess over, write down your temps in a notebook and then add them into FF at the end of the month. Then you can analyze everything once its over with.

GL.

That sounds like good advice, maybe I'll give that a shot. thanks!

candr09

alf005:

I chart now, but I'm not sure if I will continue to or not, I decide at the beginning of each cycle if I want to or not.

I eased myself into charting first by tracking CM only, then adding OPKs, then adding BBT. It was easier for me to get used to one element before adding another, because I knew if I felt overwhelmed it would turn me off to the idea and I wouldn't do it.

If you don't want to jump into full fledged charting right away, maybe start with OPKs alone because that will at least hint at your fertile window, even if using them doesn't confirm O.

Yeah I keep an eye on CM, mostly just out of curiousity at this point. maybe when we really start trying (hopefully august) I'll do that and get some OPKs.

bemrich

AnoraStar:

Charting becomes obsessive only if you let it.

 

So true.  Anything can become obsessive if you let it.  

I chart because I want to know my body and actually, it has helped me in conversations with my dr.   

Belizelovers

That is why I continued my sentence with it seems so stressful to me.  Everyone has different things that stress them out more   Who knows after trying for a few more months not getting pregnant could be a bigger stressor than charting

bellablue2

Honestly, with my first two I became pregnant really fast. I didnt even know about charting at that time. I am not doing it this time either unless it takes me longer then I would like to get pregnant again. I think if charting works for you then go for it. I also dont feel like I am completly in the dark because I feel like I know my body pretty well. Even though most of the ladies on here chart, I still feel like I have things to talk about with them..

CallieSam

We won't officially start trying until July, but right now I don't plan on charting. We are just going to have sex every day from the time my period ends until it's time for my period again. Given my history of getting KU really easily, I think that will be enough. If it's not, I might think about charting/OPKs, etc. but since the main point of those things is to tell you when to have sex, I don't think I'll need them. My husband is going to be very happy, and so will I when I get that BFP.

ukcats27

bemrich:

AnoraStar:

Charting becomes obsessive only if you let it.

 

So true.  Anything can become obsessive if you let it.  

I chart because I want to know my body and actually, it has helped me in conversations with my dr.   

Very true.

Elmo12

I do keep track of when AF arrives and when I might be ovulating so that I know when to expect my next AF and when to POAS. But if by charting you mean the whole nine yards (temping, OPK, etc) then I don't do it now and didn't with DS. The reason I don't is because I know I will become preoccupied with it. DS came during my first cycle last time so yeah we got pretty lucky... I think if I don't see a BFP in a few months I will *think* about charting, but not so sure yet.

Myrtis06

I just started charting. I decided to go ahead with it mainly because I'm not convinced I'm ovulating. My cycles shortened up over the last few months and I want to figure out why.

Sweet_Adeline

This is my third cycle, I didn't chart for the first two or use OPKs.  I am doing both this cycle.  DH is 42 and is very impatient for us to conceive because he doesn't want to be an "old" dad, so this month we aren't leaving anything up to guess-work.  I honestly prefer to know what's going on with my body, and I like knowing that we are definitely BDing when it could result in a baby.  But we will still BD for fun, even when I'm not in the fertile window.

brookelynpaisley

ukcats27:

I chart so I know what is going on with my body.  Really, it's that simple.

Yup

6to82010

haven't been charting because my thermometer broke :P 

I'm not even off the pill yet, but thought I would start to get an idea and get used to it. Oh well. Will get a new one next time I go to CVS.  

adamstodrake

I chart. DS was a surprise, so there was no TTC with him. I like knowing what is going on (trying to be in control I guess) and charting helps me to do that. I like that coming off of Mirena that I know I didn't O my first cycle, but that I did my second. When we start TTC in August I think having my chart will actually help me relax rather than worrying and wondering if our timing was right. We're going to Vegas right before or during what may be my fertile window. By charting I'll know if we have to have someone watch DS so we can sneak away to BD while on vacation or if we can just relax and have fun without worrying about TTC.

DBoo0510

I am new to this (first cycle off BCP) however, I am not charting. I keep track of AF and CM but thats it. Might do temping or OPK's in the future but right now just seeing how things go.

Mother Meghan

ukcats27:

I chart so I know what is going on with my body.  Really, it's that simple.

I agree with uk. I didn't want to chart at first because I thought it would be a chore and it would take the fun out of everything, but the more I learned about my own body the more I wanted to keep it up.

It's definitely a suggestion on the board, but if you choose not to do it then more power to ya!

Lilac33

Squishy622:

Long story short: I used to do the whole shebang but I'm really prone to anxiety and obsessing over my chart was stressing me out so much that it was affecting my quality of life. Once I realized that, I cut out temping, and it's been much better since then.

I'm able to tell that I'm ovulating without temping (obviously not 100% positive without the temps but I have no reason to believe I'm not). I'm a firm believer in doing what works for you, and in your case I can definitely see both sides. FWIW, I still feel like a welcome, active participant on this board even though I don't take my temps. HTH!

 

Exactly this...on all parts!!!

LaraValentine

DH and I started ttc without charting. I had a general idea of when I thought I might o and just went from there. Five months later, three close friends became ku, and I'm still waiting. At that point I started charting my periods from the past year or so on FF to give me a better perspective of my cycles (I always write down the day my cycle starts, just cause I'll forget if I don't write it down, and DH and I used the calendar method as listed on Planned Parenthood as bc before ttc. After lurking the site and doing some reading (highly recommend Taking Charge Of Your Fertility, it makes everything seem much more cut and dry, less overwhelming) I started charting my bbt. It's been one cycle of charting so far, just started the second cycle and I have high hopes as each cycle I chart teaches me more about my body whether it results in a bfp or not. 

kz's_girlygirl

I have charted on and off for over a year. 

I don't wake up at the same time every day either-  I just take my temp as soon as I do wake up.  I keep my therm. under my pillow so it's right there, and it has a memory on it so I don't have to enter my temp into FF until I actually get up. (I tend to wake up before I need to and then doze for a while.)

I am much better about temping each day since DH and I haven't had success getting pregnant yet.  When I'm not charting, it is basically due to laziness on my part lol.  Because putting a therm. in my mouth is so difficult,  I know!  

Whatever works for you is the best route- GL!

Unknown

This content has been removed.

SandNSurf

I have been using OPKs and observing CM, but am really excited to start charting my temps this cycle. 

The reason I haven't been temping is that I didn't know that OPKs and CM wasn't enough. By doing all 3, I should easily be able to know for certain when and if I'm O'ing.  

taraavett

I chart because it makes me feel like I am actually trying. I am actively doing something to try to get pregnant. I am participating in the process. It makes me feel like I am able to actually do something, instead of just leaving it to chance. I guess I am alittle controlling.