Fertililty & cycle questions galore

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Okay, DH and I are trying to conceive. I've never actually TRIED to get pregnant before, it just always kinda happened on its own. :imbar Anyway, I'm trying to figure out my fertile days, but I'm kinda confused. The calculators all ask for my cycle length. Um, I'm supposed to know this how? lol. Do I count the days between one month start date & the next? What if they are all different? The start dates of my past 4 periods are: August 13, September 16, October 19, and November 20.

From what I've gathered, the first day of my period is the 2nd day of my cycle?? Or is it the first?

Which days of my cycle provide the best chances of conceiving? Sadly, after 8 years of marriage and now working nights, I really need to pinpoint it within a few days, if you catch my drift. :rotfl:

Oops, I forgot to say thank you to all and have a wonderful, stuff-your-face Thanksgiving!

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Specializes in PERI OPERATIVE.

Try going to babycenter.com. Register (its free!) and then click on "preconception". I love this website, it has lots and lots of info on pregnancy and kids.

BTW, the first day of your period is the first day of your cycle. The cycle ends when you get your next period. Most people's are like a month apart. THe most fertile days are usually right in the middle, around the 14th and 15th days, but women can ovulate at any time during thier cycle.

Check out this website and see if it helps!

If you have questions about when you're ovulating you can always buy one of those ovulation tests in drugstores.

Good luck!!

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Specializes in PERI OPERATIVE.

PS- try plotting your cycle on a calendar. Its easier to count the days, and it gives you a visual of what specific days you might ovulate.

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I've done a lot of reading about this. Though it's too much to write here, if you can, go to the library and see if they have Understanding Human Sexuality 8th ed by Hyde and DeLamater. Or, you can check out a bookstore and just take notes from the pages about conception. There are a lot of methods, some of which require studying your cycle and some mathematics. They also have in there how to figure out your cycle length if it's not the normal 28 day cycle. Good luck!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Fertility Friend is a great resource, too.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

from what I understand from a friend who uses the rhythm method (successfully now for 5 yrs....OMG...I wouldn't take my chances haha) is that you will secrete cervical mucus during the days you ovulate. True? I have noticed now, that I do around mid-cycle...which is when you are supposed to be ovulating. Now I started bcp since dh will be returning home so I am not sure if I will secrete any since my body won't be ovulating (i should really know more about this as a woman....sigh)

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Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.

Good advice so far, I would also suggest plotting the days of your period on a calander from start to finish each month for awhile. The first day of your period is the first day of the cycle. Most peoples cycles are 25-35 days long (if I remember correctly). My doctor also recommended have sex every other day during you fertile period...another good website to look at the the american pregnancy association site:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org

They go over all of this in detail!

I also like http://www.babyfit.com

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Specializes in L&D.

I second what SmilingBlueEyes says--give fertility friend a try. They have a free 30 day trial membership--and that's all it took for me!

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from what I understand from a friend who uses the rhythm method (successfully now for 5 yrs....OMG...I wouldn't take my chances haha) is that you will secrete cervical mucus during the days you ovulate. True? I have noticed now, that I do around mid-cycle...which is when you are supposed to be ovulating. Now I started bcp since dh will be returning home so I am not sure if I will secrete any since my body won't be ovulating (i should really know more about this as a woman....sigh)

Checking cervical mucous is part of the "fertility awareness" method (FAM), not the rhythm method. The "rhythm method", or calender method, refers to just keeping track of your cycles and avoiding intercourse or using additional BC methods mid-cycle on the days you are most likely to be fertile and tends to be not much more effective than no BC control, IIRC. Fertility awarenesshas a better success rate and generally includes using the "rhythm method" along with tracking basal body temp and/or cervical mucous (slippery, stretchy like egg-whites at peak fertility) or the position of the cervix.

There's a really good book out there for anyone interested in learning more about FAM (also referred to as Natural Family Planning) for either conceiving OR avoiding, or just learning more about how your body works- Taking Charge of your Fertility.

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Specializes in Med-surg; OB/Well baby; pulmonology; RTS.
There's a really good book out there for anyone interested in learning more about FAM (also referred to as Natural Family Planning) for either conceiving OR avoiding, or just learning more about how your body works- Taking Charge of your Fertility.

TCOYF is a fantastic book! Fertility Friend is great too!

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

I also recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

Also check out http://www.fertilityfriend.com for charting info

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These have all been great suggestions. I actually did check out fertility friend.com, but it was mostly about charting your cervical mucus and stuff, and that's a little more advanced that I want to go at this point. I have noticed in the past the slippery egg white stuff and assumed that was my most fertile time. Something about sperm motility. Anyway, I just want to try "doing it" (lol) during my fertile period for a few months, and then if nothing happens I'll look into all the mucus and temps and the stages of the moon. :chuckle Will definitely check out TCOYF if nothing happens soon.

Thank you all for answering my questions! I'm going to input my cycle legnth as 32, since it seems to vary from 31 to 34.

Wish me luck! :)

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