last three cycle lengths are 28 days 33 days and 36 days is this odd?

[redbobblehat]

? is this something i should get investigated

ive always have irregular cycles

[MolotovCocktail]

Hello again!

My cycles varied between 28-35 days, which is similar to yours. We've managed to conceive 2 children so far (DD2 took a while to show her face). I'd say it's only wort investigating if you've been TTC for 1 year without success (or 6m if you're over 35yo).

You need learn to identify when you're fertile. Get used to what your cervical mucous looks like at different times of the month. When you're ovulating, it becomes clearer and stretchier - kind of like egg-white. Your breasts may become tender after ovulation, which is a sign that you have ovulated.

Alternatively, get yourself some ovulation predictor kits (OPK): they work like a pg test and detect a surge in lutenizing hormone.

Then there is charting your cycles using a thermometer - your core body temp rises after ovulation.

Or, just make sure that you're regularly having sex (every day or 2-3 days) and enjoy! All that charting, temping, testing, etc, can be a drag if it takes a while.

[redbobblehat]

hi thanks for your replies

ive been doing opk, not seen a spike yet, im on day 19 atm, but i think its easy to miss a positive on an opk isnt it, plus maybe ive not peaked yet

i have been observing emcm, and have had some this month

tbh i cant really be arsed to have sex every 2 days as imm too tired most of the time lol

i am 35

ive never done temping before though, can you do that with a normal in the ear themomitor? when do you do it, first hing in the am before getting up?

[MolotovCocktail]

This TTC lark is difficult - it's a whole other language, almost! OPKs can be tricky; it is easy to miss a surge and you might not have peaked if you are having a longer cycle month right now.

You can temp with an ordinary thermometer, though it won't give quite as accurate a reading. Fertility thermometers give the 2 decimal numbers after the temperature reading, whereas ordinary ones just give one (e.g 36.4 on an ordinary thermom; 36.42 on a fertility thermom). You might need the extra decimal to determine the temp shift. I think Boots do kits, it might be worth looking online, too. And yes - first thing inthe morning, at the same time before getting up :)

[redbobblehat]

oh thanks for the help molotovcocktail
i take it your ttc too
good luck

[redbobblehat]

oh ive just done an ov test and its come up positive

shall i try and do the deed again tonight or will tomorrow be ok?

[MolotovCocktail]

We're not TTC right now - our DD1 is almost 4yo and DD2 is 10mo. She took 2 years to conceive, so I consider myself well-versed on TTC!

As your ov test is positive, you have a lutenizing hormone surge which will make you very fertile for the next 12 hours or so (the ripe egg has been released and is travelling down one of your fallopian tubes as I type this - hurrah!) Definitely DTD!

Good luck!

[BeaWheesht]

My periods ranged from 28-40 days. I've conceived twice - didn't do opks etc though just had sex 3-4 times a week, took 6 month and 8 months. Dc are 6 and 2 now and my periods are more irregular than ever but I'm not having any more babies so its not so annoying!

[redbobblehat]

yeah i guess when i'm finished with ttc i won't mind longer cycles

so do you think we should go for it again tonight rather than tomoorw?

thanks for your advice

[123234345]

Since I came off the pill nearly a year ago, I had relatively regular periods (generally around 27-31 days) but last period but one was 44 days (took 3 pregnancy tests, all negative) and this one has just arrived at 25 days. I have no idea whether my periods were regular before I went on the pill as I never counted. Ho hum. On the one hand, I don't feel in a massive hurry to have kids because there's so much else to do in life, but on the other, I'm getting on a bit (34) so it had better happen soon. It won't be long until we've been trying a year and I have to take myself to the doc.

On the plus side, an early period means sooner until we can next try, and at least I can have a glass of wine now. Anyone care to join me?

[123234345]

Oh and redbobblehat - from what I understand all the advice says to have plenty of sex in the run-up to ovulation because sperm can hang around waiting for a few days but the egg doesn't. Get off the internet and into bed!

[BeaWheesht]

Yep try tonight