For those of you new to trying to conceive, or those who are looking at ways to increase your chances or knowledge about trying to conceive, I have put together some basics about charting and temping HERE.
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For those of you new to trying to conceive, or those who are looking at ways to increase your chances or knowledge about trying to conceive, I have put together some basics about charting and temping HERE.
Can you explain a bit more about what to look out for on a BBT chart? Like when is the best time to bd? What does a normal chart do in a cycle in terms of peaks and dips?
Thanks
Jgal, it's a bit hard to say what a normal chart is. It entirely depends on that one woman. However, having said that Fertility Friend has an archive of charts that can help you to see what is happening for other women.
I would suggest that you have a look at the BellBelly main site(www.bellybelly.biz) at the TTC section under "Charting Your Way to Pregnancy". It gives you heaps of info on what to look for & how to chart.
jgal,
The best time to bd is obviously when you notice signs that you may be about to ovulate or have just ovulated. When charting, the more history you have on your cycles the better, as you can see what your own body does, however normally when you ovulate, your chart will pick up a temp jump which must remain at that higher level for at least three days to detect ovulation. If you're charting for the first time and don't have that history to go by, you may miss ovulation, as by the time you've had three days of high temps, it may be too late to 'catch' the egg. You only have a small window of opportunity as the egg dies before 48 hours - so as soon as you think you may be about to ovulate or if you think you have, BD, BD and BD!!!
This is why it is important to monitor other fertility signs to help recognise this small window of opportunity. For me, I hadn't had a proper cycle due to breastfeeding and didn't think I was at all fertile, I had only had a light one day period for the first time since birth. The only reason I decided to try and chart was because about a week or so later I noticed EWCM, which is often found very close to ovulation (but can sometimes occur at other times). I also realised that the consistency of my cervical fluid that month was as I had read about, going through the various stages of what is considered 'normal' (if anything ever is!), so I had a very good idea that I was indeed fertile.
As soon as I saw that EWCM I began BD'ing, I also started using OPK's straight away to see if I could detect a LH surge (which is found 24-48 hours before ovulation). It took three days of OPK's before I finally had a really dark line, darker than any other I had seen, so I made sure I BD'd then too. I think all up, we BD'd three times, which was every second day since the EWCM. The rest is history!
Good luck, I truly believe in charting and think that it is a great, valuable tool to achieving a pregnancy, quicker. You can also use it to detect any problems there might be, for example if you are not ovulating, it may show on the chart based on your entries. So a great record to show your Ob / doctor if you look for further help.
*Baby Dust*
since iam having a problem pm people i have to leave a message here.with the mucus thing i mean mine is always white a nd sticky and i havent had a period for over 3mths now sometimes i can go for longer evrytime i go to the doctors all they want to do is blood tests and they never give me an answer and they always put it down to my weight but i can lose it no matter how i try plus ive had 3 kids but it was pure luck now its been over a year and iam 28 id like to have another before i reach 30 and it becomes inpossible.
Hi Angelsgift,
I'm not really sure what to suggest as I've never been in this situation, but maybe try to get a referral to a specialist as they may be in more of a postion to help you. I'm sorry I haven't been of much help. I hope you get that BFP soon. Good luck!
angelsgift,
I have the same problem with ovulating only I would go as long as 10 months without a period!, I was succesful with Clomid (fertility drug) for 2 children and a naturapath helped me ovulate with my new baby.
Have you been tested for polycistic ovarian syndrome? Just a thought!
Hi. This may be a silly question, but how do you know the position of your cervix, ie whether it is high or low? Is it just a matter of being very aware of your stomach throughout the month?
Sorry if it is a dumb question. But, if I don't ask I will never know!
Also, does anyone know what kind of foods contain folic acid? I have been taking folic acid tablets, but I would like to supplement a lot more folic acid into my diet also. Some foods that I am aware of are broccoli, asparagus and spinach - really appealing foods!!! Any others?? :-k
Bec.
Bec,
I think it's just a matter of monitoring your cervix regularly to get used to it. You might feel the cervix one day and you can easily reach it, other days you can't... so just a matter of practice makes perfect! ;)
Bec -- My DR told me that vegemite was very rich in folate, so naturally it is on my toast/crumpet/muffin each morning. Also the following are on the folate intense list (although I am not sure about which has more or less):
Turkey
Avocado
Peanuts
Strawberries
Pasta
Green Peas
Baked Beans
Sunflower seeds
Raspberries
Corn
Orange Juice
Apple Juice
Of course, those fortified cereals, too.
And the not so exciting ones (at least in my mind) like: Lentils, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, fennel, etc :-# .
Hope this is a little helpful.
Keen
THanks for the information girls, I will try those foods and some of the other information too when TTC this month.
Bel
thanks for the info... it helps.
very new to the charting and temping thing. and all the jargon BD, EWCM, OPK ?????
Hi Jess,
BD = baby-dancing (making love)
EWCM = egg white cervical mucous (the good stuff you get around ovulation!)
OPK = ovulation prediction kit
Hope this helps
thanks for that inspiration... yep it does help :D :D
Jess, check out This Thread for all of the abbreviations we use :D
Just wondering, what is Clomid, how do you get it and what does it do??
Clomid is a drug designed to stimulate your ovaries to ovulate. Generally the Dr tests you to see if you're ovulating & then it has to be prescribed.
Thanks Sara. Sorry, I don't get to use the net for too long at a time. But thanks for your reply.:
8-[
Hi I'm new to this forum and thought I would ask some advice.
My husband and have been trying for a couple of months, I am on my 3rd cycle now currently day 14. Any way I know falling Preggers is not always an instant thing, but after visiting my GP yesterday I left feeling a bit devastated. (I explain my situation) 3 years ago I had a large ovarian cyst removed from my right ovary; luckily most of the ovary is still intact. Any way during my laparoscopy they discovered I also had endometriosis, which was removed.
I feel my gyno has sugar coated a few things. My GP read a letter from my last gyno appointment almost 12mths ago, and said the Gyno had said I was "sub fertile", which my GP explained was to do with the endometriosis, and we have to try twice as hard as a normal couple to get preg. My gyno did not mention that to me.. Also I found out that my uterus is retroverted (tilts the opposite way to most). I looked this up on the internet yesterday and said that this can causes infertility.
After being hype up for months waiting for July (the time we agreed we would start trying) I feel totally shocked and depressed..
Can any one HELP and is there still hope
Hi Ange,
I too have a retroverted uterus and it hasn't impacted upon my fertility at all. According to my OB it has no bearing on your ability to conceive at all. They used to think that it did and would even recommend corrective surgery, but that school of thought is very outdated now apparently.
Like you, some 10 years ago I had an ovarian cyst which was removed and during the laparoscopy, they found some patches of endometreosis. These were removed also. Neither of these things have affected my fertility.
In fact, I have conceived the very first time we have tried, on 3 occasions (sadly I had 2 m/c's).
So please don't feel that having a retroverted uterus is a bad thing - it can mean that you may suffer more from period pain, but apart from that, there really aren't any other negatives. It occurs in around 10% of women, and is thought to be hereditary (my mother also has a retroverted uterus and she didn't have any problems conceiving either).
HTH!
hi was reading on the forum about u have to know the right position of the cervix how does that part work how can u tell which is the right position or is there something u have to look out for to know that is right to try and concieve for a baby. i also read about the high and low thing of the cervix what does that part mean?
thanks sem O:)
Hi Ange,
I also have a retroverted uterus and it is very common in women with endometriosis. My doctor assured me that my uterus was not he cause of my infertility. I also read up quite a bit on endometrisos and while we do have to try twice as had to conceive (not in all cases) simply things such as diet change can do wonders!!
Take care
Racheal
Hello every1,
Seems like forever since I've been here posting! Just been very busy, busy busy...
I'm hoping some of you can offer some answers/advice for me??
We will be trying for bub #2 very soon, but I have heard that if still b/feeding it is near impossible to conceive.
Has anyone or do you know someone who has conceived while b/feeding?
While I'm not exclusively b/f, she is only at the bb 2-3 times a day and only for a few minutes really no more than 10 I'd say.
And if we should conceive can I still continue b/f'ing or do I need to stop?
If I dont ask I dont know hey:-)
Hope you can enlighten me!
I know I could ask my Ob but since I'm not in a gr8 hurry right now I'll ask all of the ladies here.
Thanks,
Carol ( &Cara)
Hi Carol,
There is a thread on breastfeeding & PG here. There have been quite a few BellyBelly girls who've recently gotten PG whilst breastfeeding, and who have continued to BF.
Good luck!
thanks so much Angel - You're a gem!!
Going to have a look now:-)
Carol