https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:28:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2558323 Fri, 27 May 2016 14:41:04 +0000 stratosphere 2558323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted for a year before TTC to learn my cycles and try to figure out the weird mid-cycle and extended pre-period bleeding I experienced. Due to my super variable length cycles and tons of bleeding it was INCREDIBLY helpful data to have amassed once we started TTC. I assumed I would have huge issues getting pregnant, because my luteal phase was often super short (so I learned by charting) and the bleeding so irregular, but I knew my cycle and signs so well by the time we started TTC my first that I got pregnant the second month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2558046 Fri, 27 May 2016 09:34:00 +0000 kes18 2558046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted to avoid. It takes a good 3 months or so to see when you normally ovulate. You want to have a number of months done so that you can see if you regularly ovulate around a certain day. I started when I was still breastfeeding (I got my period back 7.5mo pp) so it took me a little longer- about 5 cycles to get an understanding. I used OPKs (wondfos) and that really helped me pinpoint O. So I would recommend those if you don't get a clear O day the first few months. </p> <p>Overtime, I realized mine temps were reliable (meaning I got a clear temp shift) as long as I took my temp around the same time each morning (within 30min) and had enough sleep overall. It didn't matter if I had woken up to pee 2 hours earlier, I still had reliable temps unless I really had not gotten much sleep at all.</p> <p>If you're trying to avoid, I would use protection up until you confirm O. We just pulled out, and I am comfortable with that. Sperm can live up to 5 days and I have even heard 7 days. So it's really important to make sure you use protection in case you ovulate a few days earlier. I ovulated 1 day earlier than normal and got pregnant from having had sex 5-6 days before O so it's totally possible that you can get pregnant from sperm that have been hanging around. Thankfully it was our last month TTA but if I do it again I won't even risk it until after I confirm O because I think I am done with 2. But I will probably end up getting an IUD or something after this one is 1. I did chart to avoid for over a year before I got pregnant with this one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2558004 Fri, 27 May 2016 08:47:32 +0000 looch 2558004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted to avoid successfully for three years prior to the birth of my son. I did it very low tech, I had a BBT thermometer and a small calendar by my bed. After I had a month's worth of data, I would transfer it to excel.</p> <p>Then I used a period tracker app on my phone to predict the confirm the fertile window. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2558002 Fri, 27 May 2016 08:44:58 +0000 Rescuemom10 2558002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted to prevent. It can be a pain and you do have to be careful and do it correctly to make sure its accurate. My body just doesn't agree with most birth controls so charting it is for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2557539 Thu, 26 May 2016 17:47:35 +0000 Shantuck 2557539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Charting was the bain of my existence when TTC. To be reliable, it has to be done after so many hours of sleep, at the same time every day, done before any movement or physical exertion, etc. I only did it with my current pregnancy due to fertility issues (LO1 was conceived quickly without charting, opks, etc. If you don't need it, I'd say you aren't missing much.</p> <p>ETA: When I went on vacation, my acupuncturist and I agreed I could take a charting break. Felt like such a treat!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2557483 Thu, 26 May 2016 16:38:18 +0000 FancyGem 2557483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted to prevent for a few months. We will TTC on my next cycle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2557437 Thu, 26 May 2016 16:04:45 +0000 autumnlove 2557437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped taking BCP and I charted for 5 months before TTC LO 3 as prevention and to learn more about my cycles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2557414 Thu, 26 May 2016 15:56:21 +0000 Chillybear 2557414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i charted to prevent. I used an oral basal body thermometer and the VIP fertility friend app. We would avoid intercourse or use other methods during my peak time. We were also ok with getting pregnant if it happened, which it did on the 5th month when my thermometer died and the new one read my temps higher in the middle of my cycle. That caused FF to lead me to believe i had already ovulated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charting-when-not-ttc#post-2551309 Thu, 26 May 2016 15:30:00 +0000 LuLu Mom 2551309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you chart even when you aren't trying to conceive as a way to keep track of your cycles? I've never charted but have though maybe I will give it a try if we have troubles conceiving #3 and didn't know how long you need to have recorded. (if we decide to have a #3 :) ) </p>