https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:33:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-308006 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:27:55 +0000 LittleFox 308006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, didn't mean to sound preachy if I did. I just wanted to throw out the information I've found over time since just using a phone app or website wouldn't be enough for me to be comfortable. :) If you don't want a class, I know a lot of people love the TCOYF book- and they do have a website you can use in conjunction with it. Also, I'm sure all the different methods have different effectiveness rates/philosophies. You can probably find what those are online in Google or from the websites of method promoters. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-307990 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:17:34 +0000 LittleFox 307990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're going to try to avoid pregnancy and are actually serious about it, I recommend NOT using a website or app as your main source. They just aren't as accurate. You need to use a real method and to know it well. At the very least, look into the TCOYF book. If you want to be more serious about it, I recommend taking a class. There are several methods out there and having an instructor to work with personally (someone well trained who you can call/email if you have questions or problems) can be helpful. A lot of classes and groups will be based in the Catholic church- that's because those are the people most likely to use (and hence to research and promote) them (due to religious views)- one could conceivably take the class and ignore the theology, or tell the instructor in advance that you're not into that part of it. All can also be used to help with TTC. Some of the methods/groups include:</p> <p>Couple to Couple League: They teach a sympto-thermal, meaning you chart your temperature, cervical fluid, and (optional) cervix sign. Similar to TCOYF.</p> <p>Creighton Method: This is a really well-researched mucous-only method (you learn in-depth about cervical fluid in a mucous only method and you don't temp). I think you would work one on one (or as a couple) with an instructor in the training, and they review your charts for some time after to make sure you've "got it." This is also the method associated NAPRO infertility treatments.</p> <p>Billings Ovulation Method: Also a mucous-only method. I think they might have online training now, too, where you'd still be able to contact a teacher and get chart reviews.</p> <p>Marquette Model: This one teaches monitoring of fertility signs in addition to using a Clear Blue Easy fertility monitor to track your ovulation. Some people really like having the monitor to help confirm things (I would still look into working with someone to teach the method, rather than just buying a monitor and giving it a shot, if you're really serious about avoiding pregnancy).</p> <p>You should be able to find out more about any of these methods in a Google search. In order for something like this to have the best shot at working, you really need to know the rules of the method and stick with them (true of any birth control- you can't take the pill only on the days you feel like it or only use a condom sometimes and expect them to still work their best), which is why a class or a book like TCOYF are your best bet. Also important is to make sure you don't get into a "rhythm method" mentality (e.g. "I always ovulate by day 17, and it's day 19 so I don't have to be as careful checking my fertility signs. I *must* have ovulated already so we're good."). You need to take each cycle as a new cycle and each day as a new day because some months you might ovulate earlier or later for any number of reasons (like stress). </p> <p>Websites like FertilityFriend and the TCOYF site are helpful, but I wouldn't rely on them over your own observations and knowledge (once you learn what you're doing). Computer algorithms just aren't flexible and advanced enough to be relied on if you're *really* not wanting to get pregnant. </p> <p>Sorry for the book! It's just better to be better informed with this kind of stuff. I also found a website comparing different methods. It's a Catholic website, so it leaves off TCOYF (which uses condoms), but it has info about the other methods at least.</p> <p><a href="http://www.livingthesacrament.com/index.php/methods" rel="nofollow">http://www.livingthesacrament.com/index.php/methods</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-307922 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:41:31 +0000 thismustbetheplace 307922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been tracking for 9 months using fertility friend mobile (and with the knowledge that I gained through 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility'). We use the withdrawal method during my fertile window. It's worked for us so far! We are planning to continue this way until TTC next year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-303200 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:46:31 +0000 Mrs. Blue 303200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did for a few months prior to TTC, and I will probably do that again after we have the babies. I second the recommendation of TCOYF. Also, we used backup protection for the first couple of cycles until I felt comfortable with what I was doing. I loved not taking the pill! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-303194 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:43:12 +0000 mango.sprays 303194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used P Tracker (for iPhone) for the past 2 years or so to track my periods and we would use condoms during the "fertile zone". I didn't temp or anything so I think my cycles were pretty regular. I didn't respond well to BCPs when I took them, so we'll probably use NFP again between kids (definitely more accurately than before though!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-302926 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:23:05 +0000 Rescuemom10 302926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used fertility friend too!!!</p> <p>I was good for a long time charting...very normal cycles and VERY predictable. But being stressed out got us that ONE month! LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-302377 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:54:21 +0000 MamaMoose 302377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Thehistoryofus: Fertility friend mobile! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-302319 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:19:48 +0000 yoursilverlining 302319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way, I would not be comfortable with having a second child any time soon and charting is too risky for me personally since I am not open to "whatever happens". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-302267 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:49:11 +0000 Foodnerd81 302267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: The book covers charting postpartum, but only really briefly. I don't think it would be worth buying the book only for that. It mentions that it's a lot harder and less predictable for the first year/while BFing.</p> <p>To the people who just want to chart periods but not temp, just, you know, keep in mind that that is a lot less effective. When we were avoiding, we would just always use protection until we saw O was confirmed (3 high temps). If you aren't doing that, then there is a much greater chance of pregnancy, since you don't always O at the same time. Just making sure people realize, hope I'm not preaching :) </p> <p>I don't know if I would feel comfortable with it if I wasn't open to having children soon anyway. You can be really strict with it, but we were just moderately strict I would say. It worked for us, but we definitely would have been a lot more careful if we didn't want a baby soonish anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-302177 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:07:04 +0000 littlek 302177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried it and ended up pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-302098 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:35:21 +0000 T.H.O.U. 302098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: Can I ask what app you used? </p> <p>I am interested in tracking as well without temping (tried and it was a pain). Plus I am still BFing and I think AF has been back for 3 months now and is pretty regular/consistent. </p> <p>We really aren't ready for another one but I really don't want to go back on the pill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301909 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 02:18:16 +0000 looch 301909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to, for three years! I was very diligent about it and would just inform my husband about my ovulation times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301728 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:40:08 +0000 Minnie_Girl 301728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I used it for about three years? It worked perfectly until we got lazy, haha. Extra protection during the fertile window is important! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301686 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:02:00 +0000 birdofafeather 301686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i did for 9 months after going off BCP and before TTC. we did use condoms as a backup though during my fertile periods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301651 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:22:28 +0000 pinkcupcake 301651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I think I'd be too scared/paranoid :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301636 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:55:44 +0000 Honeybee 301636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did for about a year before we decided to TTC for DD, and I'm charting right now, since we know we to try for another in the future. Depending on what method you use, NFP is more or less reliable. We just avoid during peak ovulation dates and then use the POM the rest of the time, but if we were more worried about getting pregnant, we might use condoms as well. I use Fertility Friend to chart my cycles and identify the peak days, but honestly, I pretty much know my cycles by now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301635 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:53:51 +0000 Running Elley 301635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had to avoid for a few months following miscarriages while my medications/supplements were being adjusted and we never had any scares while charting to avoid. I read TCOYF and found it really helpful. However, when we used charting to avoid I'd already been charting to TTC so I was used to it and knew what I was doing...and that was after some trial and error figuring out my cycles (I had irregular, late ovulations) so I'm not sure I'd be comfortable jumping right into charting to avoid without being comfortable charting before.</p> <p>We will be charting to avoid after baby arrives so I guess we'll see how it works then :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301631 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:49:03 +0000 Rescuemom10 301631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were because I tried so many different kidns of BC and they did not work with me and I would have a reaction. With the exception of condoms which we would use for the week of and around when I O'd.....well this May I was stressed and O'd early and...well....now we are expecting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301584 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:55:27 +0000 runsyellowlites 301584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've talked with a few NFP friends and none of them have been able to help me with tracking postpartum. All tracked when ttc but didn't have any changes afterward b/c they either weren't at risk for quite some time or they weren't bf'ing so their cycles were normal.</p> <p>I plan on extended bf'ing and at 5 mths pp still have no af. I don't get consistent sleep so temping is out of the question and don't know enough about pp and other checking methods.</p> <p>I've been meaning to check out the TCOYF website/forum to see if I can get some help...... My friends never told me if the TCOYF book covered pp. For now we just use condoms b/c I refuse to ever go back on hormonal bc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301570 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:40:57 +0000 Foodnerd81 301570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did for about 4 months between going off the pill and TTC. I also read Taking Charge of Your Fertility, and would highly recommend it if you are going to try. I never tracked my cervical mucous that closely, but did do the resting temp first thing in the morning. So we were more careful and used condoms of pull out for the beginning, then once ovulation was confirmed by temp, we felt safe until the next cycle. Since we were TTC soon, I also found it really helpful with getting to know my cycle and when I'd be fertile when I wanted it.<br /> You need to have a couple of months of charting under your belt before you could really reliably use it, though. If your husband is getting snipped soon, you might not even have time to get used to it. And, with the temping, like Tororojo said, it might be hard if you are up at all different hours.<br /> All that said, I like it and I plan to use it in between kids after I have one. I don't want to go back on birth control, I feel too much better off of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301560 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:29:27 +0000 tororojo 301560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We charted for a year before semi-trying and never had scares or anything. I loved not taking a pill, and it was much cheaper! You'll have to use condoms at times, which aren't fun but it's only for part of the month. I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and would recommend it if you haven't picked it up. One thing to think about is I don't know how it would work having a young kid--do you sleep at regular hours each night? You have to take your temp at the same time every morning after a good night's rest or the result might not be accurate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301546 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:10:10 +0000 MamaMoose 301546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I sort of did before we started trying. I didn't actually temp (trying to get a resting temp at the same time every day was really hard for me and not worth the stress). But I tracked my cycle with an app on my phone and knew my fertile days. We would just avoid or use condoms during that period. I had a VERY reliable cycle which is why this worked for me. Also, although we prefered to wait a little while, we were totally OK with the idea of getting pregnant earlier than planned. I personally don't think I would be comfortable with natural family planning unless I was OK with having a whoopsie happen : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-charting-as-birth-control#post-301543 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:07:47 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 301543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>?<br /> We don't want more kids, and DH is planning on getting snipped but hasn't yet (needs to book a couple days off work). I don't want back on the pill and am really just not into birth control in general. Is it a reckless plan? Must be better than our current method (pulling out, haha!).</p> <p>Favourite website? </p>