help with dates

[GruffaloReader]

hi there, me and my DH are TTC no.3... for about 6 months we've been sort of semi-trying, not too seriously - just "see what happens" - however, it hasn't worked and so now I'm really trying to work out dates and do it properly.
Have tried to follow the ovulation calculator here on MN, and put in date of last period etc etc, now i'm stuck on this question:
How long is your luteal phase?
Your luteal phase is from the day after you ovulate to the day before your next period starts. If your periods are irregular, pick the most approximate number. This can be anything from 10 to 16 days but, on average, it's 14.

So - the question is - how will i KNOW the day after I ovulate - that's why i'm doing the ovulation calculator - to try and work this out!!

Generally my cycle is 27 to 30 days... but I have no idea when I ovulate. Is it generally smack bang in the middle??

ps - don't want to waste money on ovulation tests really...
Pls help, Thanks MNers xxx

Hi :)

You just don't know - it's different for everyone, which is why ovulation predictors and apps like this aren't very useful, tbh.

If you want to go the cheap route, buy a thermometer that goes to 2 decimal places, and sign up for www.fertilityfriend.com (which is free) - it has a tutorial on it, but basically you can tell when you ovulate by a change in temperature. Once you've done a few cycles you'll be able to predict when your fertile window will be.

Hth x

oooh never heard of that website - will give it a go.
I'm just being seriously impatient and don't want to waste another couple of months trying to figure out the dates - just want it to happen now..!
Is it worth going to the doc? I'm sure they'd just laugh me out of the door, given that I've got 2 already (age 4 and 2 and a half), and that we've only been casually trying for 6 months or so... what do you think?

It's probably too early for drs. Why not try temping (as suggested) or ovulation predictor kits to get to know your cycle a bit better?

ps - i have one of those philips digital in-ear themometers (you know, the ones you use on kids) - would that be good enough? and do i have to take temp at same time every day? (sorry if you can't be bothered to reply - i'm just being lazy. will read the website properly). x

If you're going to temp, it really needs to be an oral thermometer not an ear one, ear ones aren't sensitive enough. Yes as close to the same time every day as possible gives a more accurate picture.
My cycles are similar in length to yours and I tend to ovulate around day 12 according to my charting, anything from 10-15 though! Best method really is to dtd three times a week, every week of your cycle to make it likely you hit the right time. It's definitely worth doing the charting course on FF, it helped me a lot.

Hi, may also be worth looking on Pride Angel, they have a guide to ovulation section and there is also a natural fertility consultant that posts quite helpfull things on their forum, I have included a link to a post about knowing when you are fertile, hope it helps!! forum.prideangel.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=537 Let us know how you get on, good luck xxx