Charting cervical fluid and basal temps

[fit'n'healthy]

I am new to this, and have a couple of questions:

How do you check your CF?? is it an external thing or internal?? I"m confused as to how to do it and how its supposed to feel. I know to look for the egg-white consistancy, right??

Also, do you use a digital basal thermometer or a glass one? Taking charge of your fertility recommends the glass ones - has anyone had any probs w/ the digital ones though? I think mine might be off since i'm measuring in the 96's during the day and then in the 97's first thing in the morning.

any tips/personal experiences/thoughts are appreciated!!!!!

[MicheleSC]

I mainly checked externally for the CF, but I think you are supposed to check internally. I did check it internally occasionally and I didn't see any difference,for me, in external or internal, but I suppose there could be a difference. When you start paying attention to the consistency of the CF you will notice how it changes. Egg white literally looks like egg-white - clear-ish or clear with whitish streaks and it's really slippery and stringy like an egg white would be if you were to dip your fingers in it and 'play' with it. If it's sticky and thick or more yellowish, that's not egg-white. Think of the slippery more wet stuff as being ideal for transporting sperm.

I used a digital thermometer and I think on the TCOYF website (ovusoft.com) there is a particular digital one that is recommended now (there is also a message board). I used that one and it seemed fine, but it did not have a light and I would usually take my temp before I got up at a certain time when it was dark and then go back to sleep for a little bit. The only one I found with a light was one of the faster 10 second reading thermometers and I don't think that type is as accurate. I think any digital would be fine, just make sure if you get a digital that has a last temp recall memory (most of them do I think) so that if you take it when you are sleepy and it's dark, you can record the temp later. I wanted the light because I had a few times where I did something dumb and screwed up the last temp in the memory so I wanted to be able to see it.

Are you taking your temps during the day for a reason? I would just take your temperature before you get out of bed and not worry about what your temp is during the day. There are many factors that could make your temp during the day fluctuate.

[alandrum]

i am too lazy for any of this so i just decided ot have a lot of sex. :):) It is fun!! :):)

[DianeD]

i am too lazy for any of this so i just decided ot have a lot of sex. :):) It is fun!! :):)

:yeahthat:

[LUVPINK222]

i am too lazy for any of this so i just decided ot have a lot of sex. :):) It is fun!! :):)
:funny:
I should be getting the book in the next couple of days through the mail, I'm sure I will be too lazy and confused as well:shrug: ........:jeff:

[fitmommy]

I saw this question on the main board, so I wanted to chime in. I am the queen of TCOYF:lol: I have recommended the book to soooo many people. I think I told you too, like last yr?

Anyway. I never really had to ck cf internally, I did at first, but them I relized that I can "feel" what my cf was like everyday anyway. You know when O was coming. as it got more fertile, I could see it on my TP. (such a pleasant mental picture:shock: )
The only thing I cked internally was cervical postion just to make sure "O" was over.

I used a basic digital thermometer and did just fine. I would take my temp as I woke up, before I got out of bed. I just rolled over and stuck it in my mouth. Then got up.
Good luck:love:

[fit'n'healthy]

I saw this question on the main board, so I wanted to chime in. I am the queen of TCOYF:lol: I have recommended the book to soooo many people. I think I told you too, like last yr?

Anyway. I never really had to ck cf internally, I did at first, but them I relized that I can "feel" what my cf was like everyday anyway. You know when O was coming. as it got more fertile, I could see it on my TP. (such a pleasant mental picture:shock: )
The only thing I cked internally was cervical postion just to make sure "O" was over.

I used a basic digital thermometer and did just fine. I would take my temp as I woke up, before I got out of bed. I just rolled over and stuck it in my mouth. Then got up.
Good luck:love:



Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it!!

[fit'n'healthy]

i am too lazy for any of this so i just decided ot have a lot of sex. :):) It is fun!! :):)


We are having lots of sex, too but in May when we TTC I want to make sure I'm ovulating since my cycles are sooo long!! (and yes, it is fun!):jeff:

[fit'n'healthy]

I mainly checked externally for the CF, but I think you are supposed to check internally. I did check it internally occasionally and I didn't see any difference,for me, in external or internal, but I suppose there could be a difference. When you start paying attention to the consistency of the CF you will notice how it changes. Egg white literally looks like egg-white - clear-ish or clear with whitish streaks and it's really slippery and stringy like an egg white would be if you were to dip your fingers in it and 'play' with it. If it's sticky and thick or more yellowish, that's not egg-white. Think of the slippery more wet stuff as being ideal for transporting sperm.

I used a digital thermometer and I think on the TCOYF website (ovusoft.com) there is a particular digital one that is recommended now (there is also a message board). I used that one and it seemed fine, but it did not have a light and I would usually take my temp before I got up at a certain time when it was dark and then go back to sleep for a little bit. The only one I found with a light was one of the faster 10 second reading thermometers and I don't think that type is as accurate. I think any digital would be fine, just make sure if you get a digital that has a last temp recall memory (most of them do I think) so that if you take it when you are sleepy and it's dark, you can record the temp later. I wanted the light because I had a few times where I did something dumb and screwed up the last temp in the memory so I wanted to be able to see it.

Are you taking your temps during the day for a reason? I would just take your temperature before you get out of bed and not worry about what your temp is during the day. There are many factors that could make your temp during the day fluctuate.

Thanks, I think after observing I should be able to tell, but haven' seen much difference in the CF yet. Just might have been when I started tracking, so we'll see!!

I just took my temp during the day out of curiosity to see what it was, but it registered really low for some reason. I read in the book that during the day it should get higher than first thing in the moring, so I was just wondering!!

[fit'n'healthy]

:funny:
I should be getting the book in the next couple of days through the mail, I'm sure I will be too lazy and confused as well:shrug: ........:jeff:


Its not that hard, I kind of like it bc you stick the thermometer in when your alarm goes off and it gives you a couple of minutes to just lay there and wake up. Its not bad, I just have a piece of paper next to my bed that i write it down on, or it saves the last measurement in it. The book isn't confusing at all, it very straighforward and easy to read!

[LUVPINK222]

Its not that hard, I kind of like it bc you stick the thermometer in when your alarm goes off and it gives you a couple of minutes to just lay there and wake up. Its not bad, I just have a piece of paper next to my bed that i write it down on, or it saves the last measurement in it. The book isn't confusing at all, it very straighforward and easy to read!
Oh, good! I was a little worried about trying to understand all the scientific mumbo jumbo:confused: Not my thing:)

[colo1278]

We are having lots of sex, too but in May when we TTC I want to make sure I'm ovulating since my cycles are sooo long!! (and yes, it is fun!):jeff:
did I already mention ovulation test kits to you? Sooo easy. I am not one to be doing all the cf and temp checks.

[alandrum]

I do have the book and it is good info to have but I just do not want to keep track of it that close and have it on my mind every day. It makes my hubby and me more stressed about it. I figure if we just keep having sex and not think about it, it will happen. But if it does not happen as fast as last time (now that i finally have a period) I probably will do something to see if it helps. I think i would try the kits first though.

[Lydia]

did I already mention ovulation test kits to you? Sooo easy. I am not one to be doing all the cf and temp checks.

Ditto that...from what I've read it could take months to figure out the temp thing - and then you still may not know when is the perfect time to TTC. The ovulation tests are soooooo easy!! You can buy them in bulk on line for WAY cheaper than in the drugstore if you are interested.

[colo1278]

Ditto that...from what I've read it could take months to figure out the temp thing - and then you still may not know when is the perfect time to TTC. The ovulation tests are soooooo easy!! You can buy them in bulk on line for WAY cheaper than in the drugstore if you are interested.
exactly- when you see a temp spike, it means you already ovulated and missed your window! The test kits show that you are ABOUT to ovulate and have time to plan... i.e. go buy something lacy. :D

[MicheleSC]

If you don't have any idea when you ovulate or if you don't ovulate regularly, the temping/CF thing can be very helpful. You do it so that you can establish approximately what day you ovulate during any given cycle. I don't think you have to eternally take your temps, etc,. but if you don't even have a ballpark time frame of when you ovulate, then ovulation kits won't help either unless you want to take one every day that you aren't on your period. My periods since my first one have never been regular and I was on birth control for many years, so I didn't know when I was ovulating. With my first child we just skipped using a condom once and I was pregnant (after having a couple of miscarriages). With my second, I was almost 35 and worried that I would have a problem (although I didn't), so I wanted to have some idea when I was ovulating because I had never tried to see if there was any pattern to my cycles. If I didn't get pregnant within a reasonable time, I had info about my cycles that could help if needed.

Sex is fun and of course you can just have sex all the time, but when life is crazy it's hard to fit everything in a day and it's nice to know if there is a better time to have it :) I know that sounds awful.....
I suppose if a person knows when she ovulates and it's like clockwork, then none of what I posted applies. :grin: It's true that it can make you crazy if it's all you think about it.

[Sting]

I have been using a device called 'maybe Baby' and its quiet simply really. I just lick this little microscope each morning, wait 5 mins and view it through the view finder, the booklet lets you know what to look for for example if your saliva has a fern like appearance then you are starting to ovulate.

I also am talking my temps as well.

[fit'n'healthy]

Oh, good! I was a little worried about trying to understand all the scientific mumbo jumbo:confused: Not my thing:)


No scientific mumbo jumbo in it at all! I was suprised at how straightforward and easy it is to read! Oh, and if you have Eckards where you are at, they have the thermometers on clearance so you dont have to order it online!

[fit'n'healthy]

Ditto that...from what I've read it could take months to figure out the temp thing - and then you still may not know when is the perfect time to TTC. The ovulation tests are soooooo easy!! You can buy them in bulk on line for WAY cheaper than in the drugstore if you are interested.


Yes, and I hope to use those in a couple of mos when we actually start trying. But I have had a couple of super long cycles (~80 days) so I dont really want to be using a strip for all 80 days - right now I'm just trying to see if I'm even ovulating at all!

Where do you get them cheaper?

[fit'n'healthy]

I have been using a device called 'maybe Baby' and its quiet simply really. I just lick this little microscope each morning, wait 5 mins and view it through the view finder, the booklet lets you know what to look for for example if your saliva has a fern like appearance then you are starting to ovulate.

I also am talking my temps as well.


Never heard of it, I'll have to research! thanks!

[colo1278]

Yes, and I hope to use those in a couple of mos when we actually start trying. But I have had a couple of super long cycles (~80 days) so I dont really want to be using a strip for all 80 days - right now I'm just trying to see if I'm even ovulating at all!

Where do you get them cheaper?
I googled "ovulation test bulk" http://www.unilatex.com/ovulationtest.htm you can buy a box of 500 but I can't tell if this site is only for hospitals to purchase through.

http://www.testsforless.com/?source=google these ones are 85 cents each!!! You prob would not have to use 80 in a row- almost no one ovulates right away after their period, so you could wait a week or so after your period ends, and then if there is not at least 10 days from your Lh surge to the day when you would "expect" your next period, you may have what's called a luteal phase defect, where you are perfectly capable of conceiving, but your body can't sustain it long enough to let it implant and grow.

I don't know though- maybe best to talk to your ob and see if she has any on-site test that instantly tells you? With an 80 day cycle, it makes me think something might be going on she can help better with than any of us on here or an ovulation test kit.

[fit'n'healthy]

I don't know though- maybe best to talk to your ob and see if she has any on-site test that instantly tells you? With an 80 day cycle, it makes me think something might be going on she can help better with than any of us on here or an ovulation test kit.

I have talked to my OB, she said that it isn't unusual to have long cycles every now and then, and if I have never been regular then there is nothing to worry about. I've had an internal ultrasound to look at my ovaries and uterus and everything looked fine. I've never had an abnormal pap or pelvic exam. I know the next thing she is going to say is to try clomid...and I don't want to do that.

[LUVPINK222]

I got my TCOYF book today!:)

[colo1278]

I have talked to my OB, she said that it isn't unusual to have long cycles every now and then, and if I have never been regular then there is nothing to worry about. I've had an internal ultrasound to look at my ovaries and uterus and everything looked fine. I've never had an abnormal pap or pelvic exam. I know the next thing she is going to say is to try clomid...and I don't want to do that.
wouldn't she wait to find out if you have an ovulating problem first before suggesting to put you on Clomid?

[MicheleSC]

wouldn't she wait to find out if you have an ovulating problem first before suggesting to put you on Clomid?


I don't remember what thread it was where we were talking about Clomid (I'll add it when I find it), but I had 2 miscarriages and after my check-up from the second, my doctor in Colorado Springs (when we lived there 8 years ago) gave me a Rx for Clomid because he said I would probably have problems getting pregnant since I'd had 2 miscarriages. :blink: This was after I told him I was taking a break from trying to get pregnant.


It's this thread:

http://www.leanbodiesfitness.net/showthread.php?t=6201

[MicheleSC]

I have talked to my OB, she said that it isn't unusual to have long cycles every now and then, and if I have never been regular then there is nothing to worry about. I've had an internal ultrasound to look at my ovaries and uterus and everything looked fine. I've never had an abnormal pap or pelvic exam. I know the next thing she is going to say is to try clomid...and I don't want to do that.

You are probably ovulating, but just not as often. When I paid attention :rolleyes: my cycles were about 45 days long, but I think in the past I had gone longer. I hope you won't have a chance to let her prescribe the Clomid. :)

[fit'n'healthy]

wouldn't she wait to find out if you have an ovulating problem first before suggesting to put you on Clomid?

Not always, I've heard that is the first thing ob's prescribe (sp??) when they hear long cycles and problems TTC.

[fit'n'healthy]

You are probably ovulating, but just not as often. When I paid attention :rolleyes: my cycles were about 45 days long, but I think in the past I had gone longer. I hope you won't have a chance to let her prescribe the Clomid. :)


I hope so....and I wont take the clomid anyway, but I hope I dont' have to have that discussion with her even, too!!!!

[fit'n'healthy]

I got my TCOYF book today!:)

Yay! I don't know if you saw the post I posted yesterday, but Ekerd has the thermometers that she recommends in that book on clearance if you have those stores out your way! I think they are by BD and they say specifically for basal use.

[strongchick]

Doctors will throw any drug at you. Clomid has horrible side effects, so I wouldn't take it unless you have to.

[Lydia]

Yes, and I hope to use those in a couple of mos when we actually start trying. But I have had a couple of super long cycles (~80 days) so I dont really want to be using a strip for all 80 days - right now I'm just trying to see if I'm even ovulating at all!

Where do you get them cheaper?

Here you go! Took I think close to 2 weeks to get them, but I think that's because I'm in Canada (shipped from the US). They're just in individual pkgs....not quite as "fancy" as the expensive ones in the store that have a plastic wand - these are just the strips. I found it easier to pee in a cup then dip...they're kind of flimsy so and I didn't want to make a mess. Ok....that was probably too much info! Anyway - here's the link!

http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/combopack.html

[clsupnorth]

I buy my OPK's from a med supply place on Ebay. I've bought from them about 8 times, each time I get a batch of about 50 tests. Goes to show how long I've been doing them.... :oops: Costs me about $15 for each order, so pennies a 'pee'. That's the way to go. And they're very accurate.

When I first started the whole 'I wanna have a BABY!' dream and did the TCOYF thing, for the 1st 3 or 4 months I temped vaginally with a digital basal thermometer (vaginal is most consistent since some people sleep with their mouths open - just make sure once you go vaginally, you never go back... :yucky: ).
I also checked cervical mucus daily (internal and external), and cervical position and 'feel'. After the first few months, by doing all that I got to know my body well (a little too well), and then for the next year or so I just temped. Since I had really bang-on cycles, after that I got lazy and used the OPK's almost exclusively. I haven't temped in ages. Plus, I just 'know' now when i ovulate... I can feel it, and my cervical mucus is my *friend*.

I definately recommend that for someone starting out, at least for the 1st 2 or 3 cycles, do the whole shebang. Then once you know yourself really, really, REALLY well, then you'll find what you are comfortable doing. Of course, most of y'all will be pregnant by then, anyways.... :wavesad:

[fit'n'healthy]

Here you go! Took I think close to 2 weeks to get them, but I think that's because I'm in Canada (shipped from the US). They're just in individual pkgs....not quite as "fancy" as the expensive ones in the store that have a plastic wand - these are just the strips. I found it easier to pee in a cup then dip...they're kind of flimsy so and I didn't want to make a mess. Ok....that was probably too much info! Anyway - here's the link!

http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/combopack.html


Thank you!!!!!