How much do you trust charting / FF?

Mrs.Mayhem

Do you target sex based on when FF says you O, or do you just use it as a best guess and have sex a little earlier and a little later, just in case?

I'm not sure how much to trust their O calculation...

 

KayteandRob

I trust FF, I just don't always trust my own charting abilities.  Sometimes my temps might not be consistent if I don't get enough sleep or if I had a few drinks the night before etc.  And I use Wondfo cheapie OPKs, so I am counting on my ability to read them correctly.  I trust the formula that FF uses, but it can only be as accurate as the information that is entered into it, if that makes any sense.

ETA: We usually try to start having EOD sex around CD8 and keep trying to have it as often as possible until I get CHs or my CM dries up.  It doesn't always work out that way, but we try to have sex as often as possible once i start seeing fertile CM.  The thing about FF is that it can't tell you when you've ovulated until it's too late.  Which is why I chart CM and OPKs as well.

ablane05

April's period was 28 days long, then May's was 34 days long, so I can't trust FF this month because I have no idea how long or short my cycle will be, so I'm starting a little before and after just to hope to hit any and every possible day.

Shayliz

I try to just have sex a lot.. use OPKs to really narrow a fertile window, since FF doesn't tell you that you've O'd until after it already occurs. 

lavril

Cycles can totally vary so I wouldn't trust FF for timing BD.  I rely on CM much more than FF.

brachatzipora

lavril:

Cycles can totally vary so I wouldn't trust FF for timing BD.  I rely on CM much more than FF.

 

This!  I find checking CM is a great predictor combined with OPKs and temps. 

Mrs.Slick

FF is best for CONFIRMING ovulation. Temping is actually only (affordable) way to confirm. As far as predicting, you need many cycles under your belt with FF for it to accurately PREDICT when you O. That's why it's best (meaning most efficient and most accurate) when temping in conjunction with checking cm/cp/use of OPKs. 

zaramarie81

I chart but not with FF. I find charting to be very reliable but as a pp said, it's the CM that really tells you when you are fertile and can help you anticipate ovulation. Target the days with the best quality CM and also the 2 days following that. Temps can only confirm that you ovulated after the fact.