https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:13:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success/page/2#post-2121330 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:58:05 +0000 kes18 2121330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been doing it for about 5 mo. Definitely need to be temping. My cycles are kind of regular (like ovulate within a 4 day window) so I pretty much make my husband pull out if I have had any CM at all. So for me that's about 12 days out of the month (I usually have CM for 9 days or so before ovulation and then the 3 days or so it takes to confirm ovulation). Of course you could abstain or use condoms during that time but I am fine with withdrawal.</p> <p>Look for taking charge of your fertility.</p> <p>It has worked so far. I would say if you have really irregular or long cycles with lots of CM it would be much more difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success/page/2#post-2121235 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:48:35 +0000 plantains 2121235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely would need to be temping. I counted days and am now 12 weeks along with twins. So be sure that you are really ready to deal with any potential oopsies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2121205 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:24:53 +0000 littlejoy 2121205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't used birth control in 10 years. We just use the withdrawal method. We actually use it 99% of the time, even outside of my fertile window. I do NOT want to get pregnant right now. I do know that it's not 100% effective, but when used properly, it's pretty effective. </p> <p>We've only have 1 child, and we were charting to plan for her. </p> <p>With charting to avoid, you usually only know you've ovulated once it's happened, so you'd need to chart for a few months to see your pattern and know when to avoid BDing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120875 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 07:54:00 +0000 Chillybear 2120875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: @Mrs. Chocolate: @Mrs. Jacks: @mediagirl: @Mrs. Oatmeal: @red_seattle: @marionberry: @caitlanc: Thanks for your input! I own and have read Taking Charge of your Fertility but i will definitely bust it out for a refresher course. I did the whole charting/temping thing for three months when we TTC my LO, so i'm pretty familiar with the process and my cycle was fairly predictable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120772 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 04:48:30 +0000 caitlanc 2120772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chillybear: Communication is also key. We used a loose version of it (tracking CM and cervical position but not temping) after LO1 pretty successfully however one month I thought my husband knew that I had just ovulated less than a week earlier and would withdraw. Turns out either I hadn't told him like I thought or he forgot. Either way he didn't, and didn't so LO1 now has a wonderful brother.<br /> I think one can be successful at it, it just might take a little more effort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120760 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 02:54:41 +0000 marionberry 2120760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I selected other because my close friend used it to avoid being pregnant for years with absolutely no problem. I think it's really safe if you're temping but you certainly would need to be on top of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120759 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 02:38:44 +0000 red_seattle 2120759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it's an old thread, but just wanted to add another voice saying that yes, charting to avoid a pregnancy works. We've used it for a total of 3 years successfully. But, you have to temp and check cervical mucus. Bonus points if you also check for other signs (cervix position, ovulation pain, etc.) Simply counting days (rhythm method) isn't reliable. Since no one has mentioned it yet, Taking Charge of Your Fertility is an excellent resource! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120626 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:33:36 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2120626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: it worked for us until the one time I counted wrong and we weren't careful. Now I'm 14 weeks along. But it worked for maybe 6 months? Just counting and tracking CM (but thankfully postpartum periods were crazy regular). I'd say if you're temping, you have an even better chance at success.</p> <p>ETA: oops! Didn't realize this was an old thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120603 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:12:02 +0000 mediagirl 2120603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 years and counting. "Tried" for 2 months and - baby. It's scary when you're close to your period and start feeling symptoms (happened a few times) but it has worked for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120594 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:07:35 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2120594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our whole marriage. You've got to temp too for best success. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120539 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:26:13 +0000 Mrs. Chocolate 2120539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Worked for us to get pregnant and prevent </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120152 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 14:37:25 +0000 avivoca 2120152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: I successfully avoided pregnancy for two years by charting and temping. Even though I was sure of my dates, we also did pull n' pray and abstained or used condoms during my fertile period. Once we were TTC, I used my charts/temps to tell when I was fertile, and we conceived in our fourth cycle of TTC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-2120145 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 14:33:25 +0000 Chillybear 2120145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this is old but i'm so glad i came across this thread. This has been churning around in my head for the last week and i'm trying to figure out how to brooch the subject with the hubs, maybe when we're on vacation in a couple weeks. </p> <p>6 months ago i switched from the mini pill back to the pill I was on before TTC and my sex drive tanked even further. At first I thought it was just sleep deprivation as my 1 year old still didnt sleep through the night reliably but now I'm suspect that its my BC. </p> <p>Ideally we probably would TTC again for another 6 months to a year, but we could manage if we had another.... I think. </p> <p>I'm heading to the GYN for my yearly in May. I guess I should get her thoughts too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930934 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:53:53 +0000 littlebittyhouse 1930934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We charted to avoid (temps and counting days) for about 2.5years. The one month we dtd a little to close to my fertile days I got pregnant! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930904 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:40:51 +0000 birdofafeather 1930904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted/temped to avoid for about 8 months before TTC. We followed every precaution though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930866 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:24:14 +0000 PurplePeony 1930866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted for a couple years and eventually knew my physical signs well enough that I ditched the thermometer and went mainly by CM. We used condoms from AF through a couple days post-O, as well. Never had any scares or anything, and I felt so much better once I was off HBC.</p> <p>ETA: I totally agree with everything foodnerd81 said. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930865 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:23:56 +0000 lizzywiz 1930865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I'm terrified of IUD, even though it is probably the best option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930861 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:20:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 1930861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did it for a few months after going off the pill and before ttc. I would NOT rely on counting days as a method of birth control, if you are serious about avoiding pregnancy- I'm not sure where things stand with your dh's meds and stuff. I temped very carefully (wake up at the exact same early time every day, temp before you even roll over or say good morning). And I personally only relied on it after ovulation was confirmed, so we had two weeks between o and my period that we knew were safe. Condoms or pull out before that (and being very very careful when I knew it was o time). Counting days is just not that effective since even the most regular cycle can be wonky and it only takes once.<br /> But if you are only casually avoiding I guess it's ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930851 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:14:47 +0000 Bubbles 1930851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No experience with charting but I have the exact same reaction to hormonal bc - I didn't even realise until I came off it after 10 years to ttc. We've been using condoms since DS was born - DH isn't a big fan (neither am I tbh), but he sees it as a lot better than nothing! I feel like what's the point of being on bc if it makes you uninterested in sex - it completely defeats the object! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930772 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 11:38:03 +0000 Cherrybee 1930772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@redeyedtreefr0g: Yeah, the IUD looks like a torture device! *cringe* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930730 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 11:26:14 +0000 redeyedtreefr0g 1930730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I'm so sorry to hear that birth control affects you like that, and at the same time, relieved to find a person like me. I always thought I was broken because I only was interested in sex during the exact wrong time! It caused at least one raised-voice discussion each year, I think because he felt unattractive due to my complete lack of interest.</p> <p>It's why I really really DONT want to go back on the pill, but my husband is dead set against a copper IUD... But if we don't want children then it's pull-out and condoms for us. I never want him to pull out, and we both dislike condoms... so yeah. For now we put up with condoms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930518 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:53:28 +0000 Cherrybee 1930518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: I've been on the pill since we met and I've never told him any of this so it hasn't ever really come up..... The truth is, we haven't DTD for a few months now because I've been so uninterested (I think the last time I actually cried. Sexy, huh?). DH has stopped trying. I keep meaning to talk to him about it but it never feels like a good time to say "Hey, guess who's not on the pill any more! Surprise!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930517 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:53:16 +0000 lizzywiz 1930517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose other because we did it successfully for 7 years but:<br /> #1 I have PCOS, so who knows how often it worked because of charting or because I didn't ovulate.</p> <p>#2 When I did get pregnant, according to my chart, every indicator, we conceived 48hrs+ after ovulation.....eggs only last 24hrs, so the charting couldn't have been right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930499 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:48:33 +0000 Anagram 1930499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never charted, but always used the pull out method (completely correctly, no "oopsies") and was totally successful with that method for my entire 20s-early 30's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930485 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:45:19 +0000 illumina 1930485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: so if he doesn't want to use condoms, does he not mind so much if you get pregnant right away? Or does he expect you to go on the pill? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930484 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:45:13 +0000 MaryM 1930484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought I did for a close to two years...but given how difficult it's been for us to TTC, I'm not sure if my faith should be in the charting, or if it just wasn't going to happen for us!</p> <p>But yeah. If you avoid during your fertile week you should be good to go </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930478 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:42:48 +0000 Cherrybee 1930478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: DH wont. He really, really hates them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930476 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:42:21 +0000 Cherrybee 1930476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: Gasp!!!! What rotten - and also wonderful - luck!! :happy: </p> <p>@Little Misters Mom: Thank you, I will look it up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930471 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:41:09 +0000 blackbird 1930471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Use condoms as a back up until you figure it out?...At least until CHristmas :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-to-avoid-pregnancy-has-anyone-had-success#post-1930470 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:41:05 +0000 Cherrybee 1930470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: Yeah, this is my issue. This is probably TMI but I don't care (!) - I'm only vaguely interested in DTD for a few days every month and we can't on those days because it's the time of the month. Hormonal birth control just destroys my sex drive completely. When you get to the point where you think it might harm your marriage, something has to be done. :meh: </p>