Charting as a means of BC

rattlecanqueen · July 2012

I used to be on the pill pre-ttc, but I am kind of toying around w/the idea of just charting. In doing some research on various websites, lurking on TTGP and babies on the brain, I feel a little overwhelmed. I have downloaded fertility friend, just to kinda feel it out, not temping or anything just yet. But I am confused I guess about the color coding and solid vs outlined, etc. Is there a website or someone who can get out the construction paper and crayons and draw it out for me? B/c I'm pretty sure I'm overthinking things. Also, if you have any tips/tricks/advice that would be great! TIA ladies!!!

gymnst1013 · July 2012

Do you mean solid verses dotted? Not sure really what you are referring to. FF has a course you can take. It completely helped me figure it out and the lessons are pretty easy to follow.

rattlecanqueen · July 2012

gymnst1013:
Do you mean solid verses dotted? Not sure really what you are referring to. FF has a course you can take. It completely helped me figure it out and the lessons are pretty easy to follow.

Thanks! in the app I downloaded, it shows a calendar, then you select the day and enter a variety of info. I've just been entering CM consistency bc I haven't bought a bbt thermometer yet. It color codes some days with diff colors and just outlines while some are solid. I haven't been able to find a key...grr

magnoliablossom00 · July 2012

I am not great at charting, but I do know about Cycle Beads. They are 97% effective and involve no hormones, no charts, no temps, etc.

https://www.cyclebeads.com/

MrsI · July 2012

Reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility really helped me understand it all much better! I bought a used copy cheap (I think on ebay). It looks like a text book but was pretty easy to read and very informative.

CarlaAndJames · July 2012

If you are a book person I highly recommend tge book taking control of your fertility. I tracked signs while ttc and it was very helpful!

OpheliaChem · July 2012

Not sure what you mean by color coding but I use charting for BC and I used it when TTC too. I take my temp every morning when I wake up and keep track of it using Fertility Friend online. Basically I watch for my temp to increase and then I know I've O'd. My cycles are very regular...28 days and I usually O on day 14 or 15. If your cycles aren't regular, charting can be tricky. I avoid sex around my O date. Once my temp jumps, I wait one more day and then I'm good to get back in the sheets!

vigurl · July 2012

Another vote here for the book taking charge of your fertiliy.

MommaG123 · July 2012

rattlecanqueen:

Thanks! in the app I downloaded, it shows a calendar, then you select the day and enter a variety of info. I've just been entering CM consistency bc I haven't bought a bbt thermometer yet. It color codes some days with diff colors and just outlines while some are solid. I haven't been able to find a key...grr

The two different greens are when you are possibly fertile and the second color is possible O date I believe. The reds are when you are bleeding. The current day is usually in a block (outlined with no color).

I agree with others that reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility would be a big help.

LollyBug18 · July 2012

rattlecanqueen:
gymnst1013:
Do you mean solid verses dotted? Not sure really what you are referring to. FF has a course you can take. It completely helped me figure it out and the lessons are pretty easy to follow.
Thanks! in the app I downloaded, it shows a calendar, then you select the day and enter a variety of info. I've just been entering CM consistency bc I haven't bought a bbt thermometer yet. It color codes some days with diff colors and just outlines while some are solid. I haven't been able to find a key...grr

I found the website to be a lot more user friendly on the computer compared to using the app on my phone. I deleted the app b/c it was so much easier on my computer. If you get on the normal site, you should be able to find the course gym is talking about. It has a lot of lessons but they're very quick and explain everything about the site and charting.

LollyBug18 · July 2012

Bump burp

MommaA117 · July 2012

magnoliablossom00:
I am not great at charting, but I do know about Cycle Beads. They are 97% effective and involve no hormones, no charts, no temps, etc.
https://www.cyclebeads.com/

I would be weary of these. Lots of people don't ovulate at the typical times. I have a super long cycle and ovulate closer to the end. I was actually 8 days off on my due date.

bestmaid6 · July 2012

MommaA117:
magnoliablossom00:
I am not great at charting, but I do know about Cycle Beads. They are 97% effective and involve no hormones, no charts, no temps, etc.
https://www.cyclebeads.com/
I would be weary of these. Lots of people don't ovulate at the typical times. I have a super long cycle and ovulate closer to the end. I was actually 8 days off on my due date.

This. I had 3 cycles off BC before becoming pregnant and they were all over the place. Your luteal phase won't change more than a day but your ovulation day can change for several reason. These beads scare the crap out of me.

Read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." I think it should be required reading for anyone with a vagina.

SarahKate31 · July 2012

bestmaid6:
MommaA117:
magnoliablossom00:
I am not great at charting, but I do know about Cycle Beads. They are 97% effective and involve no hormones, no charts, no temps, etc.
https://www.cyclebeads.com/
I would be weary of these. Lots of people don't ovulate at the typical times. I have a super long cycle and ovulate closer to the end. I was actually 8 days off on my due date.
This. I had 3 cycles off BC before becoming pregnant and they were all over the place. Your luteal phase won't change more than a day but your ovulation day can change for several reason. These beads scare the crap out of me.
Read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." I think it should be required reading for anyone with a vagina.

Re: the colors...There should be a "legend" button on the app that will tell you what the colors mean. Usually it's predicted fertile days, predicted AF days, etc. FF won't really do anything in terms of confirming O unless you're entering temps. Definitely read TCOYF!