Any experts around who can help me figure out my cycle?

[Tobermory]

My cycles are traditionally all over the place.

The cycle before finding out i was pg with DD, was 126 days! How i actually became pregnant seems to be a bit of a miracle!

Since pregnancy things have calmed down somewhat, cycles this year have ranged from 54 days to an 'almost' run-of-the-mill 38!

Last period started on the 23rd July.
I had mega sore boobs around 8/9/10 of August. Have only experienced that level of discomfort once before, in early days of pregnancy. I was convinced I was preg ...never mind that it was only 16 days or so after AF!

So I figure that was ovulation? Maybe?

If thats the case, when could i expect to get a + on a pregancny test? Now?

They say the 'average' is to ovultae 14 days after the first day of period - is that right? Do you ovulate halfway through your cycle? Always?
So if i ovulated abotu 16/17 days, should i expect a further 16 days before arrival of AF?

I feel I should know this and am a bit that I don't!

[Tobermory]

LL, it took us a year to conceive the first time. I was booked in for the initial investigative stuff, but got a + before my appointment date.

OK, so the time after ovulation is fairly static? That's the bit i really wanted to know, thanks.

If i did ovulate on/around the 8/9 Aug ( and im pretty sure i did) then I should expect AF or a + (hopeful emoticon!) soonish?

[Tobermory]

I'm a fool.
I tested.
It was - !

[thefatladyscreams]

Have you tried charting your temperature to understand what's going on with your cycle a bit more? You'd see a temp surge at the time of ovulation. Fertility Friend is a good online site if you're interested.

What was the test result??? I assume negative or you'd have been jumping round for joy.

[Tobermory]

No, haven't tried temp charting.
I kinda naively hoped that this time round might be more straightforward......I have no idea why!

Have heard about it, maybe i should investigate a little more?

Can you tell me the basics?

[thefatladyscreams]

Yes, basically you keep a record of your waking temperature every day. Sites like Fertility Friend also let you record other signs of ovulation like the texture of your cervical mucus. Your cervical mucus will change texture to like egg white and become stringy around your fertile time. Your temperature will rise shortly after ovulation.

So if you put this data together, you get an idea of when you're most fertile. It can also be useful data for your doctor if you see them. I'd echo londonlottie's comment about getting your cycles checked out by your GP.

Hope that helps. I'm no expert (just started it myself) but there are loads of experts on these threads.

[sgibbo]

Hi Tobermory, i bought a book by Zita west which explained all about CM and temping. It had pictures and diagrams so that you know exactly what you should be looking for. I would highly recommend her book it's increased my knowledge on the subject heaps
xxxx

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Tobermory

TBH if your cycles are irregular it is certainly in your interests to find out why. Blood tests can be helpful and these can be done around day 2 (these tests can also be done according to calendar days). Normally temp charting and such like are not all that helpful if periods are consistently irregular.

A 38-53 day cycle would certainly be seen as irregular in nature. You are also more likely not to be ovualting regularly with such a cycle (it is quite possible to have periods without ovulating).

Ovulation is not an exact science and it can occur earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle. It is certainly not always 14 days after the start of the last period and ovulation does not automatically occur ever cycle.

[Tobermory]

ATM - Im worried now.

I have a docs appointment tomorrow, which also happens to be day 2 - I will speak to him about my concerns I think.