Anyone here NOT chart?

FrannyS · July 2009

I don't do FF or TCOYF charts but I do keep my own spreadsheet that tracks my CD1 date, # days in cycle, LH Surge Date and what CD LH surge is. Oh and I do check CF, especially for EWCM and note that.

So I 1/2 chart! The only thing I am missing is temps and I've heard some say they are not as important as one might think.

I am very regular and have managed to make one box of 11 OPKs last 3 cycles (average testing about 3 sticks per cycle).

Just wondering what other benefit charting would give me, except to know exactly what day I am ovulating.

floridakat · July 2009

The real benefit to temping is it shows you exactly when you O, and confirms all the secondary signs you're already tracking. OPKs indicate that O is imminent, but don't actually confirm O.

All that being said, if your cycles are fairly regular and all the secondary signs are there, you're probably fine. Since you're doing all the hard stuff anyway, it might be worth picking up a thermometer and trying it out for a cycle or two. Otherwise, just keep doing what you're doing and GL!

DoubleFlyaway · July 2009

I don't... I use CBEFM and check CM and CP. I'm regular, and CBEFM/CM/CP point clearly enough to ovulation that I feel like I don't have any reason to think I'm not ovulating. So I don't really feel the need for temping. Especially since I only have a six-month window (well, four more after this cycle) in which to try before taking a year-long break... and since DH only wants to try "naturally." If it turned out I weren't ovulating, there's nothing I could really do about it but keep trying and hope it happened.

gymnst1013 · July 2009

I do chart temps but your post brought a question to mind that maybe you can answer. You say you can make one box of OPKs last 3 cycles - are those the First Response ones that come in a pack of 20 or so? The ones that say they are no good after 30 days? I've always wondered if that 30 day rule is really accurate or if it is just their way of getting you to buy more.

MDBeachbride · July 2009

I took my temps last month for the first time. And I did everything else right that month and I'm still here. I haven't temp'd this month. On Monday I have my first RE appt so...we'll see what he has to say about temping etc. Like you, I'm not sure how invasive we will get with TTC since I already have one LO.

njohnson1972 · July 2009

I don't chart. I am 37 and have only been trying for 2 months. But I did buy the CBEFM. I have regular periods - exactly 29 days long. The CBEFM gave me an egg on day 7 or 8 - seems way too early. My OB/GYN said to try for 4 months before we start talking options. So I am not going to stress with charting yet. I will give myself the 4 months before I start to worry. Plus I keep hoping I will just get a BFP before then!

By the way, I have been lurking for the past 2 months.

BrideforKen · July 2009

Yes, I don't. I did with my first but this time around I'm just using the CBEFM and I' comfortable with that.

calico39 · July 2009

I'm like you, I sort of half chart. I track my cycles, lh surge and other signs but I don't temp. I've tried to temp, but my numbers were all over the map.?

I'm something of a fitful sleeper and ?have a husband who snores like a f2 tornado. ?That said, I'm trying to temp this cycle since we haven't had any luck.?

hollymichael · July 2009

FrannyS:

Just wondering what other benefit charting would give me, except to know exactly what day I am ovulating.

If you enjoy obsessing as I do, it will give you one more thing to obsess over! I do like knowing exactly when to expect AF. Also, my temp usually drops a day or two before she arrives, so it gives me a day or two to get used to the idea that the cycle is a bust.

FrannyS · July 2009

gymnst1013:
I do chart temps but your post brought a question to mind that maybe you can answer. You say you can make one box of OPKs last 3 cycles - are those the First Response ones that come in a pack of 20 or so? The ones that say they are no good after 30 days? I've always wondered if that 30 day rule is really accurate or if it is just their way of getting you to buy more.

No, I use the Answer sticks which have an expiration date printed on the wrapper of each stick. They don't expire until like 9/2010. Can't imagine what the 30 day rule is all about!

gymnst1013 · July 2009

FrannyS:

gymnst1013:
I do chart temps but your post brought a question to mind that maybe you can answer. You say you can make one box of OPKs last 3 cycles - are those the First Response ones that come in a pack of 20 or so? The ones that say they are no good after 30 days? I've always wondered if that 30 day rule is really accurate or if it is just their way of getting you to buy more.

No, I use the Answer sticks which have an expiration date printed on the wrapper of each stick. They don't expire until like 9/2010. Can't imagine what the 30 day rule is all about!

The 30 day rule definitely sucks! I will have to try the Answer ones next month. Otherwise, it's just a waste of perfectly good pee sticks!

QE2 · July 2009

I charted for 7 months but gave up once I knew that IVF was our only option. It was a welcomed break. For me the benefit of charting was to confirm O. Like Florida said, OPKs only predict O, but they don't confirm it. Your body may have the LH surge, but never release the eggs. Charting also showed that I have a shorter than normal luteal phase, which can cause problems with implantation.

Dochas · July 2009

I use the CBEFM and have regular cycles.

AnotherChance · July 2009

I don't chart. I did chart for several months last year, just to learn more about my cycles and make sure I was Oing. Right now, I just track CM and use the CBE OPK. If we don't get a BFP within a couple more cycles, I will probably start charting for a few cycles, and also make an appointment with the GYN to get the ball rolling on a fertility workup by the end of the year.

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