O QUESTION! HELP!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
O QUESTION! HELP!!!
8
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 8:16am
I have got to stop reading everything and anything about TTC!!! This morning I ran across this link and here is what I read :

"For example, if your shortest cycle is 28 days long, subtract 18 from 28, which leaves 10. Starting with the date you circled (Day One (AF), the first day of your current cycle) count ahead ten days and draw an O (for 'ovulation') through that second date. This day will be the date you are most likely to become fertile."

Hmmmm...I AM TOTALLY CONFUSED!!! Aren't we fertile when we ovulate??? And from a 28 day cycle doesn't that usually happen around day 14??? So what is the story with day 10 now???

ARGHHHHHHH! Here is the link : http://www.ovulation-calculator.com/fertility-calendar.htm

Also, I am usually very regular (28 day cycle, O on the 14th - feel a pinch on ovary) but last month, AF was two days late (probably because of my test happy stress!), does this mean, logically that O will be late too? Should I calculate my O from when I actually HAD AF or when i was SUPPOSED to have AF??? Boy, can you believe the amount of little things we stress about once we TTC? I NEVER would of even asked myself this question before! *LOL*

Any help would really be appreciated, O is almost around the corner and I do not want to miss it this month! ;)


Patricia

TTC #1 C2 CD7

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 10:26am
Wow, that IS confusing. If AF was late, I wouldnt automatically assume that O was late because lots of things can delay AF.

I dont think you are actually most fertile when you o, but a few days before. I think they say now that you should bd a coupkle days before so taht the sperm has time to get in there and wait for the eggie to fall.

Katie


Married to highschool sweetheart since 8-12-02


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 10:34am
It is confusing isn't it? I mean, I never actually thought of this stuff before TTC and now I find a million questions rushing threw my head (I wonder how I can still manage to sleep at night! *LOL*). Well, I know you're right about BD days BEFORE O but I assumed that AF was late, I should still consider my first day of AF as CD1 and count from there to 14 for O. ARGHHHHHH!

Anyone else have a clue???

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patricia

TTC #1 C2 CD7

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 10:43am
Hi, I can TOTALLY identify with what you are saying. In fact I should be working right now but TTC has taken over my brain! Anyway, if your cycle is fairly regular, you might try the ovulation calendar at www.webmd.com. It will give you several days in the week leading up to O that you should try. I thought my cycle was regular, but, after watching her like a hawk for 2 mo, I think I am stressing AF out! Good Luck!! -Katy
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 12:26pm
Thanks Katy,

At least know I know I am not crazy!

*LOL*

Patricia

TTC #1 C2 CD7

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 12:31pm
Patricia, every woman has a different cycle. Even in a "typical" 28 day cycle there can be variances in O dates. Not every woman has a 14 day LP (luteal phase, the time after O and before AF.) The best way to determine O is to temp, track CP and CM, and perhaps best of all use an OPK or ovulation monitor (Clear Plan fertility monitor). In the 4 months of charting before getting pregnant with my DS I had LP's anywhere from 12 to 15 days long, and cycles from 26 to 31 days. Good luck and keep on BD'ing.

Monique (35) ttc#2 c1 cd9

DH (36)

DS 9/30/00

~i~ 8/13/03

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 12:39pm


What that link was trying to say was that your fertile period is likely to start on day 10 of a 28 day cycle. SO if you are TTC, you should BD starting day 10 and past when you think you O. If you aren't TTC, you should avoid BD starting on day 10. The science currently says you are fertile from up to 5 days before you O and the day of O, this is because sperm can live up to 5 days, although 2-3 days is more average. I hope that makes sense...

Oh and DAY 1 is always the first day of your actual red flow, not the day you expected AF. I would expect O to then happen on about the same cycle day (same number of days after AF started) if you are pretty regular. Something to watch for is to count the number of days from when you O'd last cycle to when AF started and that is your luteal phase. That number usually stays about the same, so if your LP was 14 days, when you O this cycle, AF is "due" 14 days after that. Most people have some variation in the day they O, but the LP usually stays the same.

Good Luck!

Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 12:55pm
Monique,

Thanks. Well, although you are right when you say that every woman has different cycles and even every individual woman has changes from time to time, I can pretty much say that I am regular as cycle is of 28 days and 14 days after AF i feel a pinch on ovary therefore can determine exactly when I ovulate. My only issue was to determine if O would come as usual (for me) 14 days after AF even if AF was late. It is always best to BD a few days before and leading up to O so, in light of this, wanted to know if O would be on time despite AF being late.

Thanks a lot for your help.

By the way, WebMD link for ovulation calendar is really great! :)

Patricia

TTC #1 C2 CD7

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 1:19pm
Hi Patricia,

I know it's so confusing! I feel like I'm back in school ;)

When AF is late it's because you've O'd late. You know how they say stress can dely AF? Well, it's because stress actually delays the time when you O. So, your luteal phase (after O to AF) usually stays about the same but the time when you O can change drastically. That's why you have to watch the signs. If you have a chance you should pick up Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It's really excellent in its explanations. I'm not charting but I found it helped me a lot.

Good luck!!

Lauren

TTC#1 C1 CD9