https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 03:31:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2459972 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:36:04 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2459972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstseluyu: I thought it might help to see some "typical" charts. You can see the upward shift in temperatures after ovulation and then before your period starts, they start to drop back down. This is called a bi-phasic chart.</p> <p>[attach=1437/16/o2g6c6.600x353.image.jpeg]</p> <p>If you're pregnant, they stay elevated instead of dropping for your period. For some people, the temperatures will actually make a second upward shift, creating a tri-phasic chart.</p> <p>[attach=1437/16/o2g6c5.600x503.image.jpeg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2459865 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:14:12 +0000 Finfan 2459865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Welcome! I used a Kinsa thermometer plugged into my iPad and it's not a basal one but between that, checking my cervical fluids and using OPKs, I was able to get pregnant right away. I did a few months of charting before we TTC so I understood how it all worked. </p> <p>One tip I will pass on is that I learned I am a mouth breather when I sleep and that threw my temps off. So I stopped temping because I felt like my CM was very reliable and was confident with that and OPKs to confirm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2459832 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:52:29 +0000 Chillybear 2459832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for "Taking charge of your fertility" </p> <p>I've been toggling between ovia and fertility friend for the past couple of months and I prefer fertility friend for a few reasons. when you sign up they send you "lessons" that basically sum up all the info in taking charge of your fertility. as you record your temps when you finally see the rise that marks ovulation fertility friend will give you "crosshairs" on your chart marking that you actually did ovulate by their calculations and will help determine your test date. i found ovia to be less precise</p> <p>I only record CM if its very noticable</p> <p>I dont record Cervical position</p> <p>Basal thermometers are available in most pharmacies - look near the condoms and pregnancy tests if they're not with regular thermometers.</p> <p>Ovulation is usually detected when your temps kinda stay in the same range for about 2 weeks then you might see a dip (that's ovulation) and then the temps shoot up higher then those first batch of readings if you're pregnant they will stay high if you're not they will stay high for another 2 weekish then drop down and you'll get your period... in theory </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2459821 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:39:43 +0000 Happygal 2459821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shizaz: I agree! It moves all of that stuff along. I kept a little mirror close by to take a look. Here's a link that has a chart with the different types and how it should stretch and feel: <a href="http://community.babycenter.com/post/a40832935/how_to_detect_your_cervix_position_cp_and_cervical_mucus_cm_type_for_your_charts" rel="nofollow">http://community.babycenter.com/post/a40832935/how_to_detect_your_cervix_position_cp_and_cervical_mucus_cm_type_for_your_charts</a></p> <p>I didn't check cervix position. I figured temps, CM, and OPKs were enough for me.</p> <p>I second the Taking Charge of Your Fertility book. It's a great reference text and spells out all types of scenarios for you. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2459772 Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:05:42 +0000 mrstseluyu 2459772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2459006 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 20:37:18 +0000 LCTBQE 2459006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstseluyu: what @Alba4: and @Shizaz: said: Taking Charge of Your Fertility is awesome. get the new edition (I think 20th anniversary?) that came out this past summer. it will turn you into a charting expert, temping expert, CM expert, and will alert you to any common problems you might have. and it's kind of fun to read. everyone loves this book, it's really empowering. I used both the author's app (ovagraph) and fertility friend. most people use fertility friend, I think. Also, good for you for getting ahead of it! that's great. everyone always says to start early, but I think most people don't bother to start charting until they're actively TTC. I really wish I had. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458903 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 19:48:53 +0000 Alba4 2458903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I highly recommend you read Taking Charge of your Fertility. It is such an informative book and taught me so much about my body and cycle. It will also help you chart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458812 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 18:59:37 +0000 Umbreon 2458812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstseluyu: Sorry to be gross, but for checking CM, I find it best to check right after a bowel movement. Usually I get quite a bit on the toilet paper. </p> <p>You'll see the term ewcm around here - that's egg-white cervical mucous. It's the most fertile. It is the consistency of egg whites. If you put it between your fingers it will stretch easily. </p> <p>I recommend you read Taking Charge of your Fertility. I put it off for awhile because I didn't want to buy a book, but I finally bought it a couple weeks ago and it is a great resource! I am kicking myself for not buying it sooner. It explains everything really well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458666 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:19:24 +0000 mrstseluyu 2458666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: thanks!<br /> @snowjewelz: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458660 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:16:02 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2458660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstseluyu: still in bed. Basically, you roll over and take your temp before doing anything else otherwise it will skew your numbers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458658 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:15:21 +0000 snowjewelz 2458658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstseluyu: I just put it by my nightstand and took it before I got out of bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458653 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:12:47 +0000 mrstseluyu 2458653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: thank you! Will look! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458652 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:12:36 +0000 mrstseluyu 2458652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: wow thanks! do you mean take my temp while I'm still in the bed, or like can I use the restroom first? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458610 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:50:27 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2458610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used Fertility Friend and only measured temps. You have to get a basal thermometer (they're inexpensive but more accurate) and take your temp before you ever get out of bed each morning (preferably at the same time).</p> <p>Basically, your temps will rise and stay higher after ovulation (average is about 0.5 degrees - why you need an accurate thermometer). So when you plug all your temps into Fertility Friend or Ovia, it can detect that rise.</p> <p>This site talks a little about the biology behind it: <a href="http://www.justmommies.com/getting-pregnant/fertility-charting-ovulation-and-prediction/charting-basics-how-do-i-know-when-i-ha" rel="nofollow">http://www.justmommies.com/getting-pregnant/fertility-charting-ovulation-and-prediction/charting-basics-how-do-i-know-when-i-ha</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458592 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:39:58 +0000 snowjewelz 2458592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstseluyu:<br /> <a href="http://www.fertilityfriend.com/courses/lesson.php?p=1;6;0;0" rel="nofollow">http://www.fertilityfriend.com/courses/lesson.php?p=1;6;0;0</a></p> <p>Dig around on this website! Lots of helpful information. They have an app for charting also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458589 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:39:04 +0000 mrstseluyu 2458589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: thanks! I had no idea how to tell what my CM looks like. When is the best time to check? In the morning? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458586 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:37:31 +0000 snowjewelz 2458586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Welcome! (since I didn't say it in the other thread). </p> <p>Some people have really obvious cervical fluids (we call it CM for cervical mucous here, I think). Some people can just look at the changes in secretions on their panties, some people take a swipe with TP or finger too. I never really could figure it out! </p> <p>When I was just testing the waters, I just temped but it was really hard to see when I ovulated. I also had just came off BCP and my cycles were crazy so it was completely unpredictable. I had a lot of success with using OPKs; got pregnant the 1st cycle I used them! </p> <p>I use Ovia now too, but when I was TTC, I used Fertility Friend.</p> <p>ETA: Basal temp gets to the 10th of a degree so it's not exactly a regular thermometer; they are more accurate. This is the one I have -<br /> <a href="http://www.target.com/p/up-up-digital-basal-thermometer-1-count/-/A-11676081#prodSlot=medium_1_1&#038;term=basal" rel="nofollow">http://www.target.com/p/up-up-digital-basal-thermometer-1-count/-/A-11676081#prodSlot=medium_1_1&#038;term=basal</a></p> <p>I will let someone answer about how all this info tells you if you're ovulating b/c it's been a while and I completely forgot! And I'm totally relying on OPK when I TTC again haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/newbie-please-explain-it-all-to-me-tmi#post-2458557 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:26:05 +0000 mrstseluyu 2458557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone :) new here, came from weddingbee </p> <p>Just downloaded Ovia and just stopped taking BC (like two days ago so AF is due Saturday). DH and I will TTC end of 2016 and I want to get a pretty good understanding of this whole thing - ovulation, temps, charts, etc. </p> <p>I dont understand:<br /> It asks what my cervical fluid looks like...like do I just look at my panties? Do I wipe and look at the tp?</p> <p>Cervical position - no idea what to do here, please advise</p> <p>Basal Temp - how to you measure that? Do I just take the regular digital thermometer I got from Walgreens and measure from my mouth? </p> <p>I dont understand how this info will tell the app that I've ovulated? </p> <p>Thank you in advance! </p>