Poll: How well do you chart your cycles?

on42

When I've charted in the past, I've never been entirely thorough with filling out details. Some cycles I'd check my cervical position, while other cycles I wouldn't. I'd track some symptoms, but not all of them. Once in a while, I'd track my mood/energy levels, but not every day. It was always kind of half-hearted, probably because I "knew" I wouldn't get pregnant anyway.

This go-round at TTC, I've decided to go ahead and be as thorough as possible by tracking everything from my mood and energy level down to every workout I have. I'm really curious to see how it looks at the end of the cycle and what kind of patterns develop over my cycles in the course of TTC.

My questions to you are:

1. How do you track your cycles (FertilityFriend.com, TCOYF online, paper chart, none, etc.)?

2. How thoroughly do you track your cycles--symptoms, CM, cervical position, or/and overall details of your cycle?

dragonfly711

My questions to you are:

1. How do you track your cycles (FertilityFriend.com, TCOYF online, paper chart, none, etc.)?

2. How thoroughly do you track your cycles--symptoms, CM, cervical position, or/and overall details of your cycle? 

 I use Fertility Friend, I love it since I have the app on my phone, so at night I put my thermometer on my phone so when the alarm goes off I remember to temp right away and I put the temp right into my phone.  

I usually always do my moods, breaking out, headache and a few others that I have added to the list that is already there.  Like now since my back went out I am tracking when I take tylenol ect. Some I have just for me and not for TTC.  

I also record the OPKs, CBFM, CM but I have noticed that does not seem as reliable, sometimes I do not have a lot of CM or do not see it so there are days that I leave that blank, that bothers me since I like to have everything filled out.  

I have used TCOYF a few months but have not paid for it, just to see if it is the same as FF, it has been pretty much the same, I would use this one more but FF has more stuff that I like so I am more with FF. 

 I figure the more information I have the better it is, plus it is nice looking at your chart later on.  I do not check cervical position since I have not figured out how and I just really dont feel like it. lol

My temps seem to fluctuate but they have since I started and I always see a shift so I can see when I O so I am not too worried.   

 

MarylandWed

Fertility friend. When I used it I only did temps as well as opks.

DTNZ4Ever

I temp everyday at the same time. I set an alarm to make sure I take it on the weekends at the same time. I chart my fluid up until I confirm my O. I also chart my OPK and any meds I take. Other symptoms depend on the month. Some months I obsess others I've just not notice since they really don't matter.

Guennie

Ticker warning.

I used FF based on the advice I received from the ladies on this board. My temps alone were a bit difficult to read so I decided to try using OPKs and checking my cervical position. My CM didn't seem consistent so I didn't think it was the most reliable indicator for me. I have to say that I am glad I learned how to check cervical position because I truly believe it revealed my most fertile day. I could tell it was wide open before I got a positive on the OPK. I'm glad I added that step to my routine because hubby and I would not have done anything that day otherwise. Good luck to you!

gscoville

I use FF and temp, do OPKs, CM and CP, and other physical signs I can distinctly see or feel like cramps, skin breakouts, spotting, etc. I don't bother with mood, energy levels, or workouts and such, those don't seem at all relevant to me.

RedInLove

I just started charting. I'm temping, and notating menses, cervical fluid, testing, and BD.

Unknown

I use the MyDays app on my cell phone.  It allows me to input start and end dates and it estimates ovulation.  I can also record activity and any other notes.

I haven't been tracking symptoms or CM, although I try to pay attention.  This cycle, I used an ovulation predictor kit.

StephPV

I have been charting symptoms and BD for awhile to get used to it, but *just* bought my BBT to chart temp as well. I started with Ovuview on my phone which I really like but now since I am charting temps moved to FF. Already messed up my first temp this morning and took care of the dog before remembering!

Nootbar

I really don't- I keep meaning to, but it just seems like one more stressful thing to add to the to do list. I feel guilty about it too. Have been trying for over a year, using the CBFM and tracking my cycle on an iPhone app, but I don't have a bbt and haven't tracked CM. which I know I need to do because I have this feeling that it's not as much as it used to be. I used to always know when I was ovulating bc of a combo of higher drive and stretchy egg white mucus. So maybe I'm not ovulating every month anymore. I dunno. Need to order a bbt and start to chart.