Did you keep track of cycle before ttc?

[thelittlefriend]

Because I never did and now fell a bit daft for never paying any attention to it! In my defence I was on the pill for a few years so just had withdrawal bleed inbetween packets and never gave it a second thought.

I'm now ttc#2 and periods seem very erratic. But I have no idea if this is normal for me. My period arrived today, so no BFP for us this month, but I'm thinking at least it was a normal (ish) 25 day cycle this time.

So am I on my own for never paying attention to it before?

[eurochick]

There's not really any point if you are on the pill as it's not a "real cycle".

I always noted down when I was on my period, largely to try to predict when the next one would come. And if I felt ov pains, I would note that, purely because it helps predict the next period. I didn't do anything like charting or using OPKs until I was trying to conceive though.

[GilbertsGrapes]

I never did it before - albeit still not ttcing, but since I had a chemical last month I have become particually obsessed with it all. I have membership on FF, a bbt and 50 ic opks lololol... DP isn't letting us start trying untill 2013!! It's deffo good to know your body and your own personal cycles.

[GilbertsGrapes]

Can't believe I just admitted all that - Gilberts is a grazy lady!

[GilbertsGrapes]

crazy*

[thelittlefriend]

GilbertsGrapes it might mean you get bfp month one as you know your cycle so well, so not crazy!

I guess I meant I wasn't paying any attention during the years I wasn't on the pill. I never even noted when I got my period down, so I'd know when to expect then next one. It seems a little mad to me now, but probably because I'm obsessing about it atm

[eurochick]

If it's any comfort, it probably wouldn't help because periods can take a while to get back to normal post-pill and I've heard some people say that their cycles are different after being on the pill.

[pommedechocolat]

I have learnt a lot over the past 4 months of ttc. Went on pill at 17 and apart from two 4 month breaks was on one type or another until I was 28. DD was conceived pretty much straight away when I came off it.
Post dd tried to go back on mini pill and had issues so the 6 months pre ttc should have been paying a lot more attention! Only really figuring out my cycles now. Still trying to work out why some are 25 and some are 28 though!

[AmandaCooper]

I charted for 12 months leading up to ttc, which several people on here think was unwise, both in terms of stress conceiving or for my mental health during. However I do know my cycle very well, particularly that I ovulate around CD19. I've also been taking folic acid for 12 months.

We're finally starting ttc this cycle so I guess we'll find out whether it's helped or hindered!

[Aworryingtrend]

No, I was on the pill right until we started TTC so didn't even have a cycle to speak of. I am ashamed to say i knew absolutely zero about ovulation, conception, implantation etc- I didn't even know that 'cycle day 1' is your first day of bleeding I thought it was the day you ovulated.

I can really recommend reading Taking Charge of your Fertility by T. Weschler- it has taught me so much in the last month and is definitely helping me be more in tune with what my body is doing.

[AmandaCooper]

Aworryingtrend I'm guessing that your OH hasn't been dragging his feet for two long years then?!