How do I even begin to chart?

Fallon621 · January 2011

I have never been a "charter" and am clueless as to how to even start, especially after a loss. I am still bleeding from the MC hopefully over in the next few days and didnt get AF yet. I am not TTC YET but would like to start to get the hang of things. TIA

ekmOC · January 2011

After my first miscarriage, I found that the "What to Expect Before You're Expecting" book had a lot of useful information on monitoring your fertility / ovulation. I had a "pocket planner" that I used for keeping track of things. The book will really tell you most you need to know to get an idea of what your cycle is like. Of course, if you are irregular, or just want a firmer indication of fertile days, use ovulation test strips (like ClearBlue Easy).

Fallon621 · January 2011

theresat858:

FertilityFriend.com has an email course that gives you the basics over 20 days - and also some videos if that's more your style.

Buy a BBT. Take your temperature in the mornings before getting out of bed and record it. Then there's the CM tracking and other signs... but the temp thing is actually pretty easy, so that's what I'm starting with.

For fertility friend, put CD1 as the day you started bleeding with the loss.

Yes I was uaually irregular between 28 and 33 days and the problem with starting my CD1 is that I took Misoprostol to start the process because my body was not doing it on its own 4 weeks after my LO stopped growing, then stopped for a day and started bleeding again. This is so confusing, but thanks for the suggestions!

Fallon621 · January 2011

ekmOC:
After my first miscarriage, I found that the "What to Expect Before You're Expecting" book had a lot of useful information on monitoring your fertility / ovulation. I had a "pocket planner" that I used for keeping track of things. The book will really tell you most you need to know to get an idea of what your cycle is like. Of course, if you are irregular, or just want a firmer indication of fertile days, use ovulation test strips (like ClearBlue Easy).

Thank you, I think I may go buy the book this week. I didn't want to have to purchase anything but I may have to because I am totally lost. My first pregnancy was unexpected since we were on birth control TTA because I was 18. and with this second one we decided it was time to give our DS a sibling and got PG right away the first time. I just want to be prepared for if were not that lucky this time around.

Fallon621 · January 2011

theresat858:

Taking Control of Your Fertility is supposed to be a great book, too. I haven't gotten my copy yet, but I ordered it from amazon the other day.

I think the first cycle is frequently screwy anyway, but you can start charting just to get used to it and really use it with CD1 after you get your first AF.

Thanks I just started lurking on TTCAL and saw you there and also saw a few people mension the same book.

ewilliams1127 · January 2011

theresat858:
Taking Control of Your Fertility is supposed to be a great book, too. I haven't gotten my copy yet, but I ordered it from amazon the other day.
I think the first cycle is frequently screwy anyway, but you can start charting just to get used to it and really use it with CD1 after you get your first AF.

This book is a MUST for charting! It really helped me a lot!

Copswife05 · January 2011

ewilliams1127:
theresat858:
Taking Control of Your Fertility is supposed to be a great book, too. I haven't gotten my copy yet, but I ordered it from amazon the other day.
I think the first cycle is frequently screwy anyway, but you can start charting just to get used to it and really use it with CD1 after you get your first AF.

This book is a MUST for charting! It really helped me a lot!

Ditto! Good luck!

Fallon621 · January 2011

Thanks so much ladies, I just orderd the 2 books from Amizon. And good luck to all of you in your journey of TTCAL! Hopefully this year we all get our take home babys.

lavril · January 2011

You may want to check out your local library. They had plenty of books on the subject, so there's no need to purchase any. Also, I second fertilityfriend.com. It was really useful to track ovulation. You don't have to pay for any of it, although they have special VIP features you can subscribe to if you want.

Good luck!

JNS023 · January 2011

theresat858:

FertilityFriend.com has an email course that gives you the basics over 20 days - and also some videos if that's more your style.

Buy a BBT. Take your temperature in the mornings before getting out of bed and record it. Then there's the CM tracking and other signs... but the temp thing is actually pretty easy, so that's what I'm starting with.

For fertility friend, put CD1 as the day you started bleeding with the loss.

This. I didn't start temping until a couple of weeks after my m/c, but I did start the cycle with the first day of heavy m/c bleeding. I'm sorry you are still bleeding, that really sucks! Mine started on the 13th and lasted about 9 days. FF is a great resource and seems to be accurate and easier than doing it on paper/by hand (I did that years ago). Good luck to you!

carrieandtim · January 2011

FWIW, I charted for a handful of months before my first BFP. After my miscarriage, I didn't temp that whole month before my first AF. This time around, with miscarriage #2, I tried temping after my miscarriage bleeding stopped...and my temps were CRAZY everywhere - not at all like the other months. I'd definitely suggest you either wait until after 'natural' AF or know that your temps may not be the same way the next month. Does all that make sense?

When I first began temping, all I did was look the basics up online and did paper/pencil...still do. I used to use FF to then see my graph, but I found 'their' opinion of when I O'd to be stressful. I know I may be alone in that thought. I have also seen others be upset with FF because of the crazy things it does sometimes with your temps and dashes, etc.

The most important things to remember are:

1. Always temp at the same time each morning.

2. Temp before you even move - no potty time (this is the hardest for me!)

3. Buy a BBT that beeps to let you know it's done and has a memory of your temps. I know some women like BBT with a light feature.

GL!

Fallon621 · January 2011

carrieandtim:

FWIW, I charted for a handful of months before my first BFP. After my miscarriage, I didn't temp that whole month before my first AF. This time around, with miscarriage #2, I tried temping after my miscarriage bleeding stopped...and my temps were CRAZY everywhere - not at all like the other months. I'd definitely suggest you either wait until after 'natural' AF or know that your temps may not be the same way the next month. Does all that make sense?

When I first began temping, all I did was look the basics up online and did paper/pencil...still do. I used to use FF to then see my graph, but I found 'their' opinion of when I O'd to be stressful. I know I may be alone in that thought. I have also seen others be upset with FF because of the crazy things it does sometimes with your temps and dashes, etc.

The most important things to remember are:

1. Always temp at the same time each morning.

2. Temp before you even move - no potty time (this is the hardest for me!)

3. Buy a BBT that beeps to let you know it's done and has a memory of your temps. I know some women like BBT with a light feature.

GL!

Thanks so much and yes that does make sence. This had been so crazy im going on almost a month of bleeding (started on Dec 8th) and just want my damn body back! Like I said before I have never in my life wished for AF so bad because that would be a sighn that my body is getting back on track.

carrieandtim · January 2011

Fallon621:

Thanks so much and yes that does make sence. This had been so crazy im going on almost a month of bleeding (started on Dec 8th) and just want my damn body back! Like I said before I have never in my life wished for AF so bad because that would be a sighn that my body is getting back on track.

I totally know what you mean! When I was waiting for my first AF after miscarriage, I actually squeeeed with joy when I saw blood - first time in my life! This time around, I'll be ready (fingers crossed in a couple of days), but I'm not sure I'll squeee.

Just me wondering -- have you asked the doctor about your almost month of bleeding?

Want a personalized experience?

How do I even begin to chart?

Re: How do I even begin to chart?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards