TTC Question

musicxstore

So, FI and I are thinking about TTC, but we're kind of in the beginning stages (it may be a few months or so before we begin trying). However, I want to get started on charting and getting used to keeping track of my cycle and such. The problem is that I have oligovulation, which means I have irregular periods and ovulation that will make it more difficult to conceive naturally (but it won't be impossible). I don't have any other underlying condition - I've been checked - and my doctor said I may need the "help" of fertility drugs. Also, I heard that some women need to lose weight before going on medications like that and I'm wondering how much? (I have no problem doing so, just curious).

I'm just wondering if anyone else had this issue and what your experience was? What do you suggest for tracking ovulation? Right now, I'm browsing Fertility Friend, but I'm not sure where to begin? Any advice would be appreciated. TIA.

brandichamberlain

I can't offer any advice other than you will probably find a lot of answers over on The Bump. 

Blueyed228

If you have ovulation issues I would talk to your gyno about medication to get you on a regular cycle.  Most RE's make you try for a year (or 6months with a dx or over 35) before they will see you.

I would start charting and tracking your periods now so you have enough info for them to look at.

LetsHikeToday

I read the book Taking Charge of your Fertility and it helped me understand cycles and gave me tips on how to chart. I then just started taking my temperature every morning when I woke up and entered it on Fertility Friend. I also used Ovulation tests, although I had wacky cycles and it didn't always help.

chelseamb11

I second the suggestion of Taking Charge of Your Fertility

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_ttc-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:cbf66ca7-ff01-400a-949f-7a02ef880192Post:f7bac45b-c90b-42bc-b362-ea719d451d05">Re: TTC Question</a>:
[QUOTE]If you have ovulation issues I would talk to your gyno about medication to get you on a regular cycle.  Most RE's make you try for a year (or 6months with a dx or over 35) before they will see you. I would start charting and tracking your periods now so you have enough info for them to look at.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

<div>Exactly this.  And as others have said, the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a great intro to tracking.</div>

Urchin9

Another vote for Taking Charge of Your Fertility and temping/charting with Fertility Friend. Using ovulation tests might also be a good tool for you as well!

good luck with TTC

jjolovich

Oddly enough, there is a great app called My Days, where it will chart and track for you, and its free, it works really well. You can mark when you had sex, took your bc pill(which you wouldn't need) when your period started too!!

AceTT

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_ttc-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:cbf66ca7-ff01-400a-949f-7a02ef880192Post:8a35243e-36c1-4f8a-9201-4cd29315e27e">Re: TTC Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Oddly enough, there is a great app called <strong>My Days</strong>, where it will chart and track for you, and its free, it works really well. You can mark when you had sex, took your bc pill(which you wouldn't need) when your period started too!!
Posted by jjolovich[/QUOTE]
Does it involve charting your waking temperature and cervical fluid? If not, it will not be accurate. It is probably using a 14-day ovulation, which is not the case in most women. For example, I typically ovulate between days 18 and 21. If I went with the 14-day thing and had lots of sex preceding day 14, and then took a break, I would never get pregnant.<div>
</div><div>I sixth? seventh? Fertility Friend and Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Even if you aren't TTC, it's amazing how much you will learn about your cycle. There is so much they don't tell you in sex ed in middle school! :) Also, TB Trying to Get Pregnant is a good board to lurk on. TONS of info there!</div>

fpaemp2011

Another vote for Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  We used NFP (natural family planning) to avoid for 5 months and switched to TTC 3 months before we conceived.  I use www.tcoyf.com to chart, though, because I just like it better than Fertility Friend.

welikebikes

I feel like a traitor but I'm going to HIGHLY reccommend the boards at WhatToExpect.com. I was on a board of women due in the same month as me when I was pregnant with my daughter. Maybe the Bump has the same thing, I haven't looked. But, I just loved those boards, I made friends with some of the women in real life, it was just great.

They have a TTC board, among many, many others.

I had an app on my iPad to track my cycle I like called MyCycle.

Blueyed228

If you have a diagnosed ovulation problem, Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a waste of time.  I read it and nothing in it applied to me because I have a diagnosed ovulation issue.

musicxstore

Thanks for the tips.

Also, I'm kinda confused about my Fertility Friend chart... My last period was April 26 and when I put in my temperature for today it automatically sets to May 6, which doesn't help me because cycle is very irregular. I could wait until my next period to begin charting, but that may not be for another month or two (or possibly three) and I'd like to make an appointment with my doctor when I start getting my insurance from my new(ish) job in June. Any suggestions?

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_ttc-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:cbf66ca7-ff01-400a-949f-7a02ef880192Post:11136bd6-9f15-4716-94f8-f8fe4418fe4e">Re: TTC Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the tips. Also, I'm kinda confused about my Fertility Friend chart... My last period was April 26 and when I put in my temperature for today it automatically sets to May 6, which doesn't help me because cycle is very irregular. I could wait until my next period to begin charting, but that may not be for another month or two (or possibly three) and I'd like to make an appointment with my doctor when I start getting my insurance from my new(ish) job in June. Any suggestions?
Posted by musicxstore[/QUOTE]

I would just keep charting and keeping track till you can see your dr.  FF is really only helpful if you have a regular or semi regular cycle.  I didnt bother charting or temping because i never got periods.