I would like to chart while we TTC and have never even thought about it before, So i'm getting a head start on research. Is there any recommendations as far as websites, books, etc to check out for a newbie to charting?
Also, in my mind my cycle starts the day i start my new pack of BC and ends with my period or is day 1 the day your period starts?
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
Yes! Get Taking Charge of Your Fertility! The book is great and tells you how to chart and has lots of good examples!
And your cycle starts the first day of your period. 
At least for charting purposes.
pear / 1664 posts
Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a GREAT book about charting and what the different stages of your cycle mean. It has a section for TTC and a section for preventing pregnancy (natural planning type of stuff)... but it REALLY explains the charting.
The cycles start the first day of your period, at least with the method in that book and the method most websites and charting apps seem to use. If you have a smart phone or iPad, there is a thread floating around somewhere on hellobee with recommended charting apps--I saw it earlier today 
pomegranate / 3032 posts
Ok another question - we're still a few months out from ttc is it worth it to start charting while your still on the pill? I mean i'm not ovulating and my period is like clock work
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
YAY! The book is at my front doorstep waiting for me to read when I get home today. I'm totally lost on charting/temping, I love that this book has examples
pear / 1664 posts
@chillybear That, I don't know. I have a copper IUD so I have been doing it, but that isn't hormonal so I don't think it messes with me. The point of charting (I think) when you're TTC is to figure out when you're ovulating... so it probably wouldn't give you accurate info. HOWEVER, learning how to do it and getting in the habit of temping and filling out the charts certainly would be beneficial! I feel like my first few months of charts were all over the place because I just wasn't in the hang of what I was doing.
cherry / 181 posts
@Chillybear I would suggest getting off the pill a few months before you want to try and use alternative BP. Chart for those months to get the hang of it. You don't want to be frustrated with learning how to pinpoint Cervical Mucas or other fertility signs while actively trying.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
I probably wouldn't start charting while on the pill unless you just want to get in the habit of taking your temp every day and/or checking your CM. Which could be a good idea. But what your cycle is like on the pill probably isn't going to tell you anything about when you will ovulate once you're off. I was going to start charting once I stop the pill - I wasn't going to start beforehand.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I'd do it to get used to taking the first waking temperature, whenever that really is. For me, it turned out to be about an hour before my alarm went off. I also had to get in the habit of not getting out of bed to use the bathroom.
pear / 1965 posts
This is great info...I think I am going to have to order that book! I just started charting myself. Using FF and it seems pretty user friendly but still so new to it all and want to learn more. Glad I stumbled across this thread! Thanks ladies!
grape / 82 posts
Chillybear, it doesn't really help to chart when you are on the pill. I went through this exact same thing, as I was still on the pill and very eager to chart. However, the pill actually prevents ovulation, so you will not see a temperature spike at all (which voids the reason for charting). The pill will also thicken your cervical mucus, so you may not see a distinguished difference between creamy and egg white cervical mucus, which is what you are looking for.
I was in the same boat, and so eager to start. So what I did was read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" and I focused on other ways to prepare to TTC-- eating healthy and working out. I put my energy into those until I went off birth control.
GOOD LUCK!
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6703 posts
I use a paper chart that Hubs is responsible for and then I also use Fertilityfriend.com to double check us. TCOYF is definitely the book to use!
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
To repeat the majority of previous posters, TCOYF is a fantastic book, and I've recommended it to all of my friends who are looking into TTC. My copy came with computer software for charting, but because I'm a Mac person, none of it works. So I use the Fertility Friend site and iPhone app, and its great. I pay for the 'VIP' membership, but even the standard free version is good.
Good luck!
persimmon / 1114 posts
Just to echo a lot of others, fertilityfriend.com is great and I think worth the v.i.p membership.
Also, with TCOYF, if you are looking to save money, check your local library. I figured it was a book I did not need to keep once I had read it, so I took it out and since it was very "reader-friendly" it was easy to read in the time period (plus you can always renew or check it out again).
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
I started reading TCOYF last night and am already 50 pages in. It is a GREAT book, thanks bees for the recommendation!
I even brought it to work with me to read on my lunch break. It's clarified a lot of information and also presents a lot of clarifications about our fertility!
coffee bean / 28 posts
definately have to agree with the PP about TCOYF. it will help alot with charting. there isn't much of a need to chart while on BCP unless you are trying to get into the habit, but i won't show you that much. be prepaared for your period to possibly be all over the place at first, unless your one of those lucky ones that that doesn't happen to, or get pregnant first month off!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
I definitely agree with PP about reading TCOYF. There are so many example charts in the book and I still refer to them. I would also agree about getting in the habit of taking your temp when you wake up.
grapefruit / 4049 posts
the fertility friend charting course really helped me and it's free! Good luck when the time comes!
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