https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:44:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1363311 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:08:19 +0000 snowjewelz 1363311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: AF came today, kind of happy, kind of sad! Mostly happy thought, because in the back of my mind I really didn't think I would get KU the 1st month, esp I don't think we BD enough. So here's to the next cycle for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1362576 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:10:01 +0000 Synchronicity 1362576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Chickadee: Thanks for the helpful response :) I absolutely do want to approach TTC in a relaxed way, but at this point I feel like my always-changing cycles will only frustrate me, so it might be more of a knowledge is power kind of thing. I'm thinking that by understanding my body a little better, I will be able to relax more? Hopefully this makes sense. </p> <p>@MrsBrewer: I love that we are the same age! Ugh, student loans. I feel ya. SO has none, but I have a hefty loan that I'm going to be paying down for a while. Eloping - we are thinking August, only because we are hoping for the best weather possible when we fly out to Western Canada. We are in no rush, but we do want to be married before TTC :) </p> <p>@snowjewelz: Fingers crossed for you, lady! The waiting thing drives me crazy too - pregnancy thoughts always running through my head! SO doesn't help by telling me how happy he would be if I did get pregnant, even this far ahead of the game ;)</p> <p>@debbiei8: Baby arrival time is not an issue for us, but I can absolutely see how charting would help when you are in a bit of a time crunch! I think I will start by charting very loosely, trying to keep the pressure off, and see if it is something I can maintain. </p> <p>@PawPrints: We are still 8-10 months off, so maybe I'm jumping the gun a little. Even taking TTC out the equation, it would be nice just to have a basic understanding of my cycles! Hoping TCOYF will help me with that a bit. </p> <p>Thanks so much for all of your kind responses! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1362113 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:49:15 +0000 PawPrints 1362113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took the approach of wanting to be more relaxed going into TTC and so didn't start charting until I knew that cycle #2 had failed. In retrospect, I would love to have more information at my disposal and be able to look at months of data to make conclusions about my cycle. I don't find charting to be stressful; I find it stressful to try to interpret my cycle based on only a couple of months of data. So in summary I'd recommend that people start charting several months prior to TTC. It's really not that much work, just a moment in the morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1362098 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:42:54 +0000 bookwormmama 1362098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started charting and using OPKs when I went off BCP. That was March last year and we officially started trying during my fertile week in June (we wanted a spring baby so starting in the summer was our goal). We got a BFP on the first cycle. It definitely helped to see my cycle ahead of time. I didn't want to waste any OPKs, so I just used them around the time I was usually fertile to confirm my O date. Then we had sex every day leading up to O (we also did it 2 days after O). </p> <p>I guess this isn't a very relaxed way to go about it but having a summer baby would have made things difficult for me work wise so we really wanted to have a spring due date. If you don't really care about baby's arrival time I think your way would be great! Even if it seems intense I thought it brought DH and I closer together, although I'm not sure I could have kept up with this for months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1362020 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:11:37 +0000 snowjewelz 1362020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: Thanks! I am supposed to get AF this week if my cycles stay as if I was still on BC... Fingers cross, because I will start thinking I am pregnant if I don't get AF lol, but I know it could just be my cycle still regulating :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1361182 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:12:44 +0000 Mrs. Chickadee 1361182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry if I am repeating what others have said, but I thought I would put in my two cents. I would try to make things relaxed and have fun with TTC. There's no need to be stressed about it unless you have a reason to be. As long as you have an idea of when you ovulate (or are committed to having sex about every other day during the time between your periods), you should be fine. If it doesn't happen in about three months, then start charting to figure out when the ideal time is to TTC. On the flip side, if you have wacky cycles and you really want to figure out when you're ovulating, start a couple of months out from when you want to start TTC to get an idea if you are right or wrong about when you think you are ovulating. It's easy enough to take your temp, so it doesn't hurt. I'd also pay attention to your CM and when you're in the mood because those can be good indicators of ovulation as well (but temp is the most reliable). It just changes your mindset a little (at least for me!) because it isn't "Let's just see what happens!" which is fun to try for a few months. It's a little more calculated and "I'm ovulating tomorrow - let's go!". Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1360913 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:31:43 +0000 MrsBrewer 1360913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: That exciting! have you decided when you are going to elope?? :-) Saving is a priority to us as well, along with trying to pay off our billions of dollars of student loans!! hahahah We are young too though (we're both 25) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1360362 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 22:00:27 +0000 Synchronicity 1360362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Microscope: That is so exciting! I still can't believe that this is the year we will start trying! </p> <p>@snowjewelz: Of course you can TTC without the info from charting, it just isn't as mapped out - that isn't always a bad thing!! :) Hopefully your body handles coming off BC very well and everything goes smoothly for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1360300 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:32:44 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 1360300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Permastudent: I still have my mirena, but as it is "old" and all the hormones are used up my OB/GYN told me to start charting now, even though I don;t plan to remove the mirena until June, and TTC in September. So far I am pretty regular, so that is promising! I just hope that the removal of the iud doesn't throw everything off, but we plan to remove it on CD1 or CD2 to minimize the effect! Looks like we are going to be TTC buddies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1360167 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 20:28:43 +0000 snowjewelz 1360167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is my first month off BCP and I wish I started charting right away just to get to know my body better! My original plan is to take it easy and start TTC in March but I realize you can't really TTC without some accumulated info first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice/page/2#post-1360036 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:18:19 +0000 Synchronicity 1360036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: So exciting :) We are really hoping for December of this year at the absolute latest. We have some stuff that we want to wrap up first, including getting married (womp womp, neither of us are "wedding" people so we will be having a simple elopement!), I need to pass my registration exams, and we need to finish up a few things on the house. I would also like to save a bit more money. I know we are young (going on 26) and there is no real rush, but I cannot wait to start a family. December seems far away! </p> <p>@Mrs.Someone: My cycles are irregular, that's what sparked the post. I guess at this point I figure charting-stress can't be any worse than the stress of having no idea what is going on with my body! Thank you for your honesty, though. It may turn out that charting is not for me, but I won't know until I try! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359999 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:55:48 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1359999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't recommend charting at all, unless your cycle is irregular. It was too stressful for me, and OPKs worked perfectly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359983 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:38:27 +0000 MrsBrewer 1359983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: truthfully I have no idea when we are going to start TTC. Right now we really aren't preventing too much (just using pull out method) so if I would happen to get pregnant before we actually start trying it wouldn't be too much if a surprise! But DH is really trying to get a better paying job first. So I'm thinking/hoping sometime in 2014!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359830 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:31:04 +0000 Synchronicity 1359830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@redsmarties: Thanks, lady :)</p> <p>@birdofafeather: Our situations sound similar. I was on BC for almost 10 years, and my cycles are now 10+ days longer than I'm used to, and a lot more unpredictable. Sounds like charting is going to be necessary to figure out what's going on in there!</p> <p>@lioneyes: It took you about a year to regulate; that makes me feel better, since I'm almost at a year myself. Gives me hope that things might still even out a little! Thank you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359723 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 14:49:57 +0000 lioneyes 1359723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Went off BC in Sept 2012. Had some really long cycles (40+ days) off the pill. Cycles started to regulate (31-36 days) by August of 2103.</p> <p>Began OPKs Oct 2013, started TTC Jan 2014. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359708 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 14:37:28 +0000 birdofafeather 1359708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started charting 9 months before TTC bc I had been on BCP for 10+ years. I'm glad I did in advance so I could figure out my cycles were long and getting longer but I was Oing. If I hadn't been temping, I wouldn't have known to keep DTD and I wouldn't have my 1 yo DD! I'm a huge fan of charting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359613 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:10:41 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1359613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PermaStudent: Hope it goes well for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359609 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:09:44 +0000 Synchronicity 1359609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HolisticMama: I'll add that one to the wish list too, thanks!</p> <p>@redsmarties: Seems like knowledge is power (vs. "winging it") is the general mantra around here! I like it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359588 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:58:22 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1359588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and started charting about 2 months before we actually started TTC. Now that AF is back post-baby, I'm starting to chart again, because I like knowing what's going on with my cycles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359586 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:57:28 +0000 HolisticMama 1359586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a good book too:<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Knocked-Up-ebook/dp/B008QCVDOG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;sr&#038;qid" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Knocked-Up-ebook/dp/B008QCVDOG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;sr&#038;qid</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359560 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:28:41 +0000 Synchronicity 1359560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@indi: Just ordered TCOYF off Amazon and I'm looking forward to reading it! Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully charting will help me stress less about my wonky cycles! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359542 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 12:13:50 +0000 indi 1359542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We charted for a year to avoid, and after that I was familiar enough with my cycles (we both were, really) that I only paid attention to CM (no temping, yay!) until we decided to try (first cycle bfp). I definitely recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility as it is very informative no matter how you want to use your chatting (avoid, ttc, just to get familiar). </p> <p>Doing it plenty ahead of ttc will help you get familiar with charting and with your cycles, and hopefully doing it just to learn and not with the pressure of ttc right away will help make it more enjoyable and not stressful. And like you said, ditching condoms for most days (or all days with pull-out if you prefer) is a nice side benefit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359519 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:58:03 +0000 Synchronicity 1359519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: That is awesome. Very encouraging, thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359517 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:57:35 +0000 Synchronicity 1359517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Ahh, you are starting in advance like me! I too was on BC for almost 10 years. It is a big change going from so regulated to all over the damn map! I feel ya, lady. Are you thinking of TTC in 2014, or waiting until next year? We may be starting right around the same time. What brought you to HB? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359516 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:56:33 +0000 looch 1359516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted for 3 years, I was on BCP for just about 10. My son was conceived on our first cycle trying, I was 34 at the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359515 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:56:06 +0000 Synchronicity 1359515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMac: It sounds like it would be better to start charting now, when we aren't under the pressure of TTC, so that if my chart is not ideal it isn't the end of the world to me. Plus, with trying to prevent, it would mean we may be able to avoid using the dreaded condoms sometimes, once I had a better idea of what is going on! Thank you :)</p> <p>@MrsMccarthy: Time is going by so fast that I have a feeling 6 months out will sneak up quickly! </p> <p>@HayleyJane: I totally took for granted how wonderful it was being on hormonal birth control that completely regulated my cycles. Thanks for the advice, and I'll take a look at those apps!</p> <p>@HolisticMama: Ha, you're right... time to embrace it!</p> <p>@anyajenkins: I think starting with one piece of the puzzle is a great idea. I was thinking temping would be the way to go, but the CM thing really intrigues me. I've got TCOYF in my cart ready to go :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359508 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:50:42 +0000 MrsBrewer 1359508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went off BCP in August (I was on it for 10 years prior) and I have been charting since novemberish. I have crazy cycles so I really want to figure out what's going on with them before DH and I start TTC. Which probably won't be for another year </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359500 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:46:10 +0000 MrsMac 1359500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started charting more than a year before we started TTC, to prevent. I didn't/don't find it stressful AT ALL. For me, it really helps to think of each day's temp at part of a whole pattern, as opposed to live-or-die each day, and I think this mindset was easy to be in while I was charting to prevent. It didn't matter what the temps were, as long as I could identify my ovulation. Then when we began to TTC I already knew what to expect, and it wasn't a big deal at all.<br /> If you can just keep yourself from obsessing over each little up or down each morning, I think you'll really find it helpful to start early :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359472 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:22:45 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1359472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 months and it was really helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-ttc-how-far-in-advance-did-you-start-charting-id-love-some-advice#post-1359465 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:18:04 +0000 HayleyJane 1359465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started charting about a year and a half before we started trying. I went to the pharmacy one day to buy my birth control and they told me they didn't make it anymore! It was a really high dose of hormones, and I didn't want to have to adjust to a new high-dose bc two months before my wedding, so I just starting charting to avoid using the principles from Taking Charge of Your Fertility (including OPKs). There was also an app I used to keep track of it (FemCal). I later started using Selene as well to keep track of my cycle and I like some things about that app more than FemCal. When we had been married a little over a year, I stopped TTA and switched to TTC. Worked within 2 months, luckily! I added on the app Glow (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/glow-fertility-ovulation-tracker/id638021335?mt=8" rel="nofollow">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/glow-fertility-ovulation-tracker/id638021335?mt=8</a>) when we started TTC and really like its focus on conceiving as opposed to just charting without a goal.<br /> After this kid is born, I'll probably go back to charting to avoid once my cycles are reestablished. I really like knowing exactly what's going on with my body. </p>