how many of you....

jessi1988 · April 2011

Started temping, and using OTC ovulation kits the first month you started officially trying. I keep looking at all these websites that say "your most fertile day is this date, but, these 5 you are also fertile" type of thing. Maybe I should just go get one of the clear blue O kits and give it a try. Just looking for input on how other ladies started out.. TIA

mrsfowler1016 · April 2011

Before I joined this website I was completely ignorant about my cycle and only going by what the internet told me or the app on my droid said. My DH and I went 7 months this way and I didn't understand what was wrong. DEFINITELY start charting using fertility friend.

TCOYF is a great resource too and gives you excellent insight to your body and what it's going through.

Debra4869 · April 2011

I waited a few months and wanted to just relax and have fun. That idea went out the window after a few months and I started using OPKs. Those are sometimes confusing and hard to read (esp. when you get positives for several days) so then I started charting. I'm happy I'm doing it, even though I resisted it for so long. It really helps you learn your cycle and your body and helps you identify if there is an issue or if your body is trucking along as it should. .

If you don't start charting right away, more than likely you will start. Especially if you want to engage with this board, most ladies chart and it is hard to answer some questions people have without looking at their charts. HTH

MJH184 · April 2011

This is our first month TTC and I didn't temp, but started charting with fertility friend and using OPK's from Amazon (Wondfo are cheap and pretty easy to read). If I am not PG from this cycle, I am going to start temping. For me this was a good decision as I was really out of tune with what was going on with body, so it was helpful to just start with OPKs and FF.

GL to you!

khbe14 · April 2011

I only used opk's the first month but soon realized that you cannot confirm that you o'd without charting your temperatures. I started charting our second month of trying. Most of the ladies on this board use Fertility Friend to chart, you can click on any of the links in our siggys to sign up. I also recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility if you have not already.

AshleyB609 · April 2011

Me! I started temping right away. I began using IC OPKs, but now I back up with CBE.

I am glad I started out doing all of this right away because I have had some crazy cycles!

BriLJL · April 2011

I started charting a month after going off BC. I started using OPKs this cycle (our first official cycle TTC).

watkinae · April 2011

I started temping the month before we started TTC, but didn't start OPK's until the 2nd or 3rd cycle of TTC. Turns out for the most part I would be ok with the generic "you ovulate on CD 14" b/c I normally O on CD 14-15. But from what I've seen from other ladies on the board that real O day can range significantly.

I would definitely recommend you at least start temping so that you can figure out your normal O range.

SheenaNash1 · April 2011

I haven't started yet but I am already temping and charting with FF. Its been a great experience so far, even though I started temping mid-cycle so I'm not really getting any important info quite yet. I plan on continuing and also getting OPKs once we actually start. GL!

TrendyTina · April 2011

I"m temping and using OPKs and DH and I won't be trying for another 2 months. I would start ASAP if I were you.

PhotoFan · April 2011

This is my first month officially ttc and I used the Ovulation test strips but didn't temp. If I get AF this month I'm going to start temping also.

reinstone · April 2011

I started charting in the middle of my first cycle and started using OPKs 5 cycles later. I wish I had used them all along.

pengwins · April 2011

TrendyTina:
I"m temping and using OPKs and DH and I won't be trying for another 2 months. I would start ASAP if I were you.

Same here. I would much rather be prepared.

juliane2004 · April 2011

For the three months we TTC DD, I just used OPKs.

For the three months we TTC DS, I temped, checked CM, and used OPKs.

This time, I'm doing the same as with DS (temp, CM, OPKs).

vpine · April 2011

I am on cycle 2 and used First Response OPK the 1st month. This month I switched to Clear Blue Easy Digital OPK which was much easier, had the smiley face on day 2.

I usually look at ovulation predictor on firstresponse.com and the 1st month my LH surge line was darker on the last day the firstresponse.com calculator said and this month I received my smiley face on the 1st day of the firstresponse.com calculator.

metzy144 · April 2011

I did, and I am glad I did. I figured I am giving myself a better chance.

Amomtomanyluvs · April 2011

I did not, I started it all on my 4th cycle trying and I really wish I had started on my first cycle....

Hazell121 · April 2011

I started temping about half way through my second cycle of TTC, so I don't have any great data yet. I'm not using OPKs yet, although if I don't get KU this cycle or next i'll probably start.