Hi everyone,
So... my wedding is in 10 days... eek! Very excited, a bit nervous, running around like a chicken with my head cut off finishing up last minute things, and totally beside myself with anticipation... on many levels. Not the least of which is that FI and I (soon to be DH and I) will finally start TTC! Still feels very unreal and sometimes I wonder if we'll "chicken out" (seriously doubting it since we'll be on our honeymoon) lol. But no... it's TIME.
I happened to have my annual exam on Monday, and I thought it was curious what my OB/GYN told me. I had printed out my charts to show her, and she flipped through them, noted that I have fairly regular cycles and said, "Stop doing this... for now. Don't chart. Have sex starting CD 10 and then every other day til CD 20 or so (my cycles are usually 26-27 days)." If after 4 months nothing happens, come see me."
She also said after 3 or 4 months to try an OPK.
Though I was a bit skeptical, I actually like the idea of taking a break from charting to start. I'm such a data freak though, it'll be a hard habit to break! I was glad to see that she'll want to see me sooner rather than later, if this plan doesn't work (I'm 39... ugh).
The other thing is that I might modify my gyn's prescription to starting a day or two earlier, on CD 8 or 9, since sometimes FF tells me that I O's on day 9.
I dunno... at any event... I think I am finally joining you guys for real this time! I'll probably be scarce for the next couple of weeks (wedding is 4/24 and we're going on our honeymoon -- to Las Vegas -- until 5/2), but after that... game ON!
Hugs and best wishes and sticky baby dust to you all!

Re: Just about to join in the fray... :D (update, longish)
GL with the wedding!
I never understand why doctor's would tell someone to stop charting, unless the person was telling her that they hated doing it.
My RE said the same thing, she so dislikes charting. My response was that I did and what did it matter to her really? That was the end of that discussion.
I also disagee with the advice to not use an OPK for 3 or 4 months. So essentially, she wants you to go with "relax and it will happen"? Lol.
Stop if you want, but don't just because the doctor told you too.
Are you getting married in 10 days too?? Congratulations!!!
I charted for over a year and I got burnt out. If your cycles are pretty regular then I agree to take a break from charting. I'm not sure about the 4-5 months from now....we are often told, because of our age, that if we have not conceived in 6months to go to an RE. So that might be something else you might want to consider..IF you need too, hopefully you won't.
ETA: I'm a dumbass, I read you first line as your birthday was in 10days!!
Thanks! We're getting married in Bourne. My mom moved there several years ago so it's "home base" for me now, but feels like a destination wedding too!
photo by Scott Metzger
kikijbird ~ Erica (aka Kiki) & Paul ~ 24 April 2010
The JBirds Bio ~ Updated 03.02.10 - Invites!
Thanks Cathy! Seems my doctor thinks that charting would stress me out. I didn't think she was being dismissive of the charting, necessarily, but didn't want the charting process to make me anxious. I'm torn. I like charting because I like knowing what's going on with me, but at the same time, I wouldn't mind just focusing on the "having fun" part of being a newlywed. And then again, it would be really cool to know exactly when I O... especially if it works. Charting and having fun don't have to be mutually exclusive, right? But I admit to not knowing whether I can balance it. Suppose I could try and then stop if it freaks me out.
Thanks for the reality check...
photo by Scott Metzger
kikijbird ~ Erica (aka Kiki) & Paul ~ 24 April 2010
The JBirds Bio ~ Updated 03.02.10 - Invites!
All of this.
I was terrible at charting(occasional insomnia, wandering off to the bathroom before temping) and assume I'll be terrible at chartingagain, but it was still valuable to me to do it to have at least a vague idea of what was up with my body.
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Haha, thanks Chicken! My birthday's not til late August.
Yeah, I don't think I'll be waiting too long to go back to the doctor (and ask her for a ref to an RE) if nothing happens this summer. Maybe my birthday will be the deadline... or I'll get a super nice bday present!
ETA: added extra
photo by Scott Metzger
kikijbird ~ Erica (aka Kiki) & Paul ~ 24 April 2010
The JBirds Bio ~ Updated 03.02.10 - Invites!
photo by Scott Metzger
kikijbird ~ Erica (aka Kiki) & Paul ~ 24 April 2010
The JBirds Bio ~ Updated 03.02.10 - Invites!
Congrats on the upcoming wedding! I remember all the excitement prior to the 'big' day! Enjoy it! Have a great honeymoon and hopefully you'll get a little souvenier! (sp?)
I used to chart and temp and check CM, OPK, etc....but, it really did stress me out. So, on my own, I've decided not to continue doing it. I have noticed that I don't dwell on what FF *thinks* is my O day and I don't mind not having to run to the bathroom to check CM....anyway...GL with whichever you choose (or don't choose) to do.
Hello and a warm welcome to the fray!!
Congrats on your upcoming wedding.......I'd be excited too!!
I agree with what CathyMD said.......if charting makes you feel "in the know" about your body, and you're already used to the routine of doing it, then why stop? Also, why wait to start using OPKs.......for many women this is a good tool to pinpoint ovulation......and since you've admitted you're a "data freak".....this tool gives you even more data!!
Of course, there's a lot to be said for fun, spontaneous, newlywed BD!!
Best of luck to you in the coming weeks and I hope your stay here is short and sweet!
Thanks rach, shyn, pntlybox for the great welcomes! And right back atcha... I really do hope that EVERYONE has good BFP-related news soon!
Whether I will embrace my inner geek, or just my outer one (aka soon-to-be DH haha), I'm definitely looking forward to the next few weeks! Thanks for all the kind words. I have enjoyed reading your stories and rooting for you all, and look forward to hearing more good stuff and contributing to the convo!
photo by Scott Metzger
kikijbird ~ Erica (aka Kiki) & Paul ~ 24 April 2010
The JBirds Bio ~ Updated 03.02.10 - Invites!
I got married at 35 and got preggos on my HM first month trying. I did have a m/c but then it only took a few more months to get pregnant again and I have a 2 1/2 year old. I have Secondary IF (and it's been 4 years since i started trying) so I say - if you want to chart - great. If you don't- don't. My BFF got married at 38 and got pregnant within a month of living together. Being 35+ is not a fertility death sentence.
Good luck on the wedding! and see you around here in 10 days!
Congrats on the wedding! Just relax and have fun on your special day!
I'm with Cat on the charting thing. You do what makes you comfortable and happy.
See ya back here in a couple of weeks!
Thanks MDBeachbride, Char, Strunella! My boss threw me a shower at her house last night so I got in late and then crashed! So fun, but I'm so exhausted. Two days left of work then I'm off for two and a half weeks -- yay!
And yeah, I skipped a day of charting (yesterday), but I'm back on the bus again today...
I can't wait to share pictures, and see how everyone is doing when I get back! See you soon...
*stirs up piles and piles of baby dust on her way out the door*
photo by Scott Metzger
kikijbird ~ Erica (aka Kiki) & Paul ~ 24 April 2010
The JBirds Bio ~ Updated 03.02.10 - Invites!