https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:37:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-665980 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:50:05 +0000 spaniellove 665980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My RE didn't care to see them, but did ask what they showed and if there was a distinct temp rise. When I looked through my records I saw that they actually have a section asking about charts, so I guess they care a little bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-665974 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:49:22 +0000 BlueberryPie 665974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my preconception visit, my doctor told me not to worry about charting unless we have trouble getting pregnant within a few months. So it seems like she definitely sees the value in charting, but didn't want us to stress ourselves with it. That being said, I immediately started charting because I hate not knowing what's going on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-665973 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:49:09 +0000 Shutterbug 665973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I brought my printed out charts to my appointment with my gyn and showed them to her. I basically had to explain to her what she was looking at, she had no clue, and she was very dismissive.</p> <p>When I first met with my RE, I mentioned that I charted and he asked to see my charts! I was caught off-guard because I didn't bother bringing them after the way my gyn reacted, so I pulled them up on the FF app on my phone, haha. He oohed and aahed over them and called them textbook, even held my phone up to explain the pattern to my DH.</p> <p>But then he said I could stop charting because I had pretty regular cycles. He said that people used to believe that you could tell the strength of an ovulation based on charting temps, but that studies have shown there is no correlation (other than that a temp rise proves ovulation to some extent) so he said once you see that pattern, you can stop. I probably won't stop though, I like data. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-665951 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:39:33 +0000 ineebee 665951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have PCOS, so my RE did care to look because he was doubtful that I was ovulating. My chart showed that I had been, so it was useful information to him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664977 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:23:40 +0000 jetsa 664977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got to go to clomid a few months earlier because CBEFM showed I hadn't been ovulating and then blood tests backed it up. Not exactly charting but my midwife was willing to look at my data and make a decision. Come to find out the CBEFM doesn't work for me, the month I had bloodwork done it said I ovulated and I didn't.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664952 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:15:24 +0000 Sugar.Biscuit 664952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: yes to the creighton method. Which is why we switched to him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664905 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:00:38 +0000 AprilK 664905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My former OB in Chicago couldn't have cared less about my charts, even when determining the due date for my son. Which was crazy b.c my cycles were between 30-45 days. So it really mattered when determining his due date and figuring out if he was measuring correctly. I finally just ended up telling her I had the date of my LMP wrong and adjusting it so it was 14 days before ovulation. </p> <p>My doctor now is a bit more, how do I say... collaborative(?) in his approach so I think he'd be all about looking at them if I wanted him to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664732 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:48:38 +0000 JoJoGirl 664732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine told me not to. He said "just have sex every other day, don't chart or use OPKs because stress is a huge reason for infertility". I found that advice to be unhelpful. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664682 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:48:13 +0000 sorrycharlie 664682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't really chart but used opks and knew the exact day (Thursday, 2 days late) that I ovulated. I told the OB and she insisted on going by my LMP. Well DD always measured two days "small" &amp; I delivered 40 weeks to the day going by when I ovulated! So there! Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664678 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:43:57 +0000 T.H.O.U. 664678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my u/s was off, he was happy to hear that I had a positive opk and was positive of my LMP. So, I didn't have a chart but he was happy to hear I was at least positive of my dates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664674 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:39:20 +0000 Happygal 664674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dapple Grey: yes, based on these responses, it does seem like the medical community is not supportive of charting. I just don't understand why! It is nice to hear of a few medical professionals here and there supporting the practice.</p> <p>This doctor is a RE, and I didn't love her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664656 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:15:05 +0000 sslm 664656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Based on my LMP I would be having a march baby, but based on charting I knew it was more like April 8th. My midwife didn't look at my charts, but she believed me on the due date. When I went for a dating u/s I was measuring 1 day off from what I thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664630 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 05:01:05 +0000 mrsvdv 664630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A doctor actually recommended charting to me as the "quickest way to get pregnant" when we started trying (his words, I know this is not true for a lot of people). This was NOT my OBGYN though, but DH's uncle who's a specialized surgeon experienced with endometriosis (what I'd been dealing with at the time). So that's how I started temping! I never told my OBGYN about it, but I was pretty proud of myself when baby measured exactly where I knew he'd be at our 1st u/s! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664538 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:21:51 +0000 red_seattle 664538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my preconception visit, my OBGYN was very adamant that we not try to conceive until we saw a specialist. She asked what form of birth control we use, and I told her FAM. She quizzed me on a few things to make sure we were doing it right, and when I gave the right answers, she gave her blessing to keep using it. I don't think I could go to a dr that didn't understand and respect our choice to chart (either to avoid or create a pregnancy)-- assuming they trust that I know what I'm doing. (And for that matter, a doctor who doesn't trust me to chart correctly isn't a doctor I want to see.)</p> <p>@Sugar.Biscuit: That surprises me! I've only heard of NFP people pushing taking temps, too. I'm surprised a doctor wouldn't be pushing for using all 3 signs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664524 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:01:52 +0000 LovelyPlum 664524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sugar.Biscuit: did your doc specialize in the Creighton model? That's what we use, but I also temp as well. I picked my doc specifically because of this issue...I wanted someone who valued charts! He spent a few minutes with them, put a copy in his chart, and told me to keep going. After a few docs who didn't get it, its nice to have someone who values it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664361 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:22:30 +0000 heartonastring 664361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor pretty much ignored me when I mentioned I'd been charting and had the charts and that the due date she'd calculated was off by a few days as I ovulated on CD 18. So she just continued to use her EDD and I continued to use mine. Mine was confirmed as being spot-on when I went for my first u/s.</p> <p>My naturopath and midwife were much more interested in my charts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664357 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:20:17 +0000 sweetooth 664357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know my RE didn't take the time to look at them, but the knowledge I gained from charting prior to my first RE appointment helped me feel empowered. I could tell her confidently about my cycles, and if she needed more information I had it. I say do what you feel is right, don't worry about the doctor's opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664351 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:18:03 +0000 pastemoo 664351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dapple Grey: I'm with you--being aware of my body was a huge gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664350 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:17:22 +0000 pastemoo 664350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well considering my LMP was June 15 for a baby I knew was conceived around August 28... I brought my chart and they didn't do more than glance at it, not believe me, do an ultrasound and then freak out "Your baby is measuring very small for how far along you should be."<br /> Why yes, I know. Hence the chart. The EDD based on my chart was a day off from the one based on the ultrasound. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664339 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:11:15 +0000 Cole 664339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I charted a few years ago and had my then ob/gyn look at them and she told me that my luteal phase was too short (8 days) and when we decide to ttc that we should skip straight to clomid. Whether that will still be the case when we ttc I don't know but it was nice that she was open to looking them over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664326 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:04:03 +0000 twodoghouse 664326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My RE isn't a fan and thinks it can add a lot of stress (which it did for me). He thinks there's usually too much human error for it to be reliable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664324 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:01:24 +0000 Dapple Grey 664324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh. I think its kind of sad that this is a very common response in the medical community. I know the author ofTaking Charge of Your Fertility talks a lot about this issue!</p> <p>I would continue charting, i think its really important for women to have an awareness and connection with their bodies and cycle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664319 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:51:42 +0000 Sugar.Biscuit 664319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of the doctors I've seem have shrugged at my charts. The new doctor was confused when I showed him FF charts because he is a catholic gp who specilized in NFP. All they chart is CM &amp; disregarded the temps. I like temping because of the lack of CM it gives me a better idea of when I O. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664311 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:43:32 +0000 Turd Ferguson 664311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I brought mine to my first prenatal appointment and...they didn't love 'em. I was on CD58 or something when I got my BFP, so when I tried to explain to them that my last period was DECEMBER 26th, I have my chart, I know the exact date of conception, etc.... The nurse was still confused and made a comment about, "Wait...so when was your last period? So you really think you're 3 months along?" No, I know exactly how far along I am.</p> <p>When I tried to show my doctor to explain the SAME thing (as the nurse was still confused), I asked if she wanted to see my chart (as she was trying to figure out EDD), she goes, "Ehhhh, we don't really...like to use charts...they're really never accurate..." I shoved it in front of her face anyway, pointed out the exact day of ovulation and she goes, "...huh...yeah...that one is pretty clear...yeah, I guess I'd agree with that..."</p> <p>It was kind of frustrating, I mean, I get that it isn't "standard" or whatnot, but come onnnnn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664290 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:27:52 +0000 Foodnerd81 664290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My midwife (who I started seeing before I was pregnant but while I was trying, as a regular gyn visit) didn't look at the charts (I didn't specifically offer them either). She just said I should continue if I wanted to, but her advice was "Have a lot of sex". If I'd been trying for a long time, she may have cared more? I saw her after only a month and change of trying, when I was due for my annual. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664251 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:41:02 +0000 Mrs.Someone 664251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: They like to see the "shape" of the curve. It helps tell then whether or not you have enough progesterone, and how well hormones are balanced overall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664239 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:30:22 +0000 marionberry 664239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I showed it to an OBGYN she didn't care, but my RE actually looked them over and said it was obvious I'd been ovulating with a regular cycle. Idk that many providers really care that much about them, but don't let their opinion stop you from charting. I continued it while even doing our IUI. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664220 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:09:19 +0000 Happygal 664220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Someone: why did your acupuncturist and naturopath encourage you to start charting again? Past seeing that you ovulated, are there other reasons they want you to chart?</p> <p>I felt a little silly spreading out all my papers in front of her. I wasn't aware it was traditional v. alternative thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664208 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:56:28 +0000 swedishfish 664208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mentioned it to both my former OBGYN and my RE and neither one of them cared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-your-docs-opinion-about-charting#post-664207 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:56:02 +0000 Mrs.Someone 664207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Gyn didn't even look at them when I offered. Though my acupuncturist insisted I start up again, and the naturopath wanted me to do it as well. I think its not a traditional medicine thing, so normal docs don't always see the value. </p>