Can't give up!! Charting?

elizabethnseanny

So, as I mentioned we stopped treatment and I'm pretty down and out of hope. I don't even consider us going au natural. But really, I can't give up. I can't quit lurking on here and tracking my days and keeping DH turned on so we stay busy all week. I guess I should start tracking my temp so I can have some idea of how my body is doing, but I really don't know what to hope/look for?

Any help? Thank you! 

MrsTRAV

I suggest reading Taking Charge of your Fertility or taking the charting course of Fertility Friend, they've got videos to go with them.

Good luck with charting, it's a little tricky at 1st, but once you get the hang of it, you really can tell what your body is doing. 

Llamamama

MrsTRAV:

I suggest reading Taking Charge of your Fertility or taking the charting course of Fertility Friend, they've got videos to go with them.

Good luck with charting, it's a little tricky at 1st, but once you get the hang of it, you really can tell what your body is doing. 

This!

I found it to be very difficult to understand at first but after a few cycles I got it.  I would start charting now, knowing that you probably won't get much information THIS cycle but if you don't get pg you will be on your way to figuring it all out for next cycle.  Good luck!

Kimberly at FertilityFlower

No, don't give up - definitely not that. Charting is one of the best things that you can do. I use FertilityFLOWER.com. 

What to look for in a nutshell:

1: cervical fluid that's the consistency of egg white - or frankly, ANY cervical fluid of any kind but wetter is better. You'll see cervical fluid building up (becoming wetter) leading up to ovulation. (Read: don't rely on temperature to tell you that you're about to ovulate). There are other signs that signal ovulation is coming (e.g., cervical position, ovulatory pain or cramping, there's even a lymph node sign...) but cervical fluid is the primary sign.  

2: a sustained temperature rise. This means that you ovulated. The likely day of ovulation is the day before the rise so you won't be able to confirm ovulation until after the fact. Seeing this will confirm that you are ovulating and you'll be able to discern the length and quality of your luteal phase. 

A note on benefits. Progesterone deficiency, thyroid problems, adrenal fatigue, PCOS, etc.. can all be 'seen' via charting without one drop of blood being drawn. Charting is a powerful tool. 

Good luck! 

elizabethnseanny

Great information! Thank you everyone!