Charting vs. Not Charting

MidwestTexan · September 2010

I chart AF, CM and occassionally my CP.

maddiemoon43 · September 2010

mchupie:

I hope it's okay if I jump in here. I charted for 2 major reasons:

1. I have heard horror stories of people who stopped BCP and found out a year later at their first RE appointment that they weren't ovulating. Since I stopped BCP after 10 years, I wanted to make sure I was ovulating (and not run the risk of wasting a year!)

2. Unnecessary inductions and C-sections are done all the time as a result of the fact that women don't know their conception date. Especially if you have longer cycles, it's not uncommon for your actual due date (based on conception) to be a week or two later than your EDD (based on LMP). You might think you are two weeks late when you are actually right on schedule! No need to be induced. Knowing the conception date of my baby has really been a blessing so far this pregnancy.

Both of these. I had also been on BCP for 10 years and wanted to know I was O-ing. Plus, that was 10 years of knowing when AF would arrive (within about a 12 hour time-frame). Not so when I came off BCP. Not a surprise I am interested in.

To add a more negative addition to point #2 (sorry), when I started spotting before m/c, the ultrasound tech and my Dr were all trying to tell me that I could be off on my dates by as much as 10 days, so maybe we should wait abouther 2 weeks and repeat it ratehr than worrying about more testing, but nobody could argue with my chart. I know how far along I was, and I knew LO wasn't there...this was sadly reassuring and validating to know that I had a better idea of what was going on withmy body than they did.

magnolia_femme · September 2010

I charted for 12 cycles, and the only reason I stopped is because I was on Clomid and being monitored with u/s and blood work. I was also taking Ovidrel, which screwed up my temps and charting wasn't effective.

That said, what I learned about my body was invaluable, and my RE was thrilled that I had pinpointed my O date for the last 12 months.

Charting doesn't mean that you are desperate to get pregnant, or that you don't want to have sex with your husband except during the fertile window, or that you are being overly mechanical or scientific. TTC or TTA, it means that you want to be empowered about your sexual and reproductive health.

march2008 · September 2010

I don't chart, but I do use OPKs. I seem to have pretty regular cycles, just basing it on tracking the dates on the calendar so I can tell when AF is coming based on trends. I always spot the day before it comes and I get super tired several days prior - like to the point where I MUST take a nap because my eyelids won't stay open....so I always have a heads up when AF is near.

I have also gotten + OPKs on the same 2 days of the cycle for the past several months so I know roughly when to time sex. My DH and I are okay with going with the flow at this point in time.

byrne15 · September 2010

temps, cm and opks

SaucyRedhead · September 2010

magnolia_femme:
Charting doesn't mean that you are desperate to get pregnant, or that you don't want to have sex with your husband except during the fertile window, or that you are being overly mechanical or scientific. TTC or TTA, it means that you want to be empowered about your sexual and reproductive health.

THANK YOU!!

magnolia_femme · September 2010

SaucyRedhead:
magnolia_femme:

Charting doesn't mean that you are desperate to get pregnant, or that you don't want to have sex with your husband except during the fertile window, or that you are being overly mechanical or scientific. TTC or TTA, it means that you want to be empowered about your sexual and reproductive health.

THANK YOU!!

Anytime, love!!! How are you doing?

SaucyRedhead · September 2010

magnolia_femme:
SaucyRedhead:
magnolia_femme:

Charting doesn't mean that you are desperate to get pregnant, or that you don't want to have sex with your husband except during the fertile window, or that you are being overly mechanical or scientific. TTC or TTA, it means that you want to be empowered about your sexual and reproductive health.
THANK YOU!!
Anytime, love!!! How are you doing?

I'm good! It's good to "see" you around here.

I'm not gonna lie, I've been lurking on TTTC and have seen you around there more often lately. I miss you over here though!

Some of these excuses for not charting were starting to piss me off so you took the words right out of my mouth! It must be the redhead connection.

Ldybugsuzi · September 2010

pinay976:
I chart my temps, CM and OPKs.
I like knowing what my body is doing and where I am in my cycle. Not knowing if/when I O'd or when AF is due would drive me nuts.

This!

Birdies08 · September 2010

magnolia_femme:
Charting doesn't mean that you are desperate to get pregnant, or that you don't want to have sex with your husband except during the fertile window, or that you are being overly mechanical or scientific. TTC or TTA, it means that you want to be empowered about your sexual and reproductive health.

So true. Thank you for putting it so well!

reinstone · September 2010

I guess I don't understand, after reading most of TCOYF, why one wouldn't chart. "I have an inconsistent work schedule" is the only thing that remotely makes sense to me. Why wouldn't you want to know if/when you're Oing - doesn't it make your chances for GP that much greater?

/rant

ccam · September 2010

I charted to avoid for almost 2 years before we started TTC. I now chart my temp, CM and cervical position (but I only started that this cycle).

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