Does anyone understand charts? Please help me to!

[SneezySnatcher]

Hello. I've name changed as my friend knows me on here and we aren't telling people we're TTC.

This month is my first month of charting, third of TTC. I've been using OPKs but only got one + at CD9. FF didn't show OV and I don't think I did at that time.

My chart is below, and FF has put dotted cross hairs (due to negative OPK). What I'd like to know is can I have OVd even though I got a - when FF have put ovulation? (I tested once a day with CB digis). If so, what does my chart tell me (if anything?).

My cycles since stopping BCP have been 32, 32, 30, 30, 38.

Thank you very much.

www.fertilityfriend.com/home/3d348d/

Hi sneezy, your LH surge which the OPKs are testing for can potentially last for just a few short hours so it is possible that you missed it with your tests. It may help to test more than once a day when you start to see EWCM. What time of day did you test? The results can also be affected by how much you have had to drink and how long it has been since you last went to the loo.

Your chart is showing a definite increase in temperature so I would say you have definitely ov'd. FF does have a bit of a habit of changing its mind as to which date to mark as ov day, but it tries to take account of all signs, not just what the tests say.

As you get more cycles charted, you should hopefully start to see a pattern that helps you to predict when you are most likely to ov. OPK testing at different times of the day might help, too.

Good luck :)

Thanks Geeklette. I was testing at 5pm as it's when I get in from work. I did make sure I hadn't been to the loo for four hours before as advised. I may give OPKs another shot next cycle. I may get some cheaper ones and test more than once a day!

Hi I'm Faith. I second what Geeklette has said. Also have you been a bit inconsistent with the timing of your chart? I ask because there's lots of open circles. My charts a bit all over the shop til I got really specific - even setting an alarm on the weekend - temping at the same time each day - cast iron bladder! That helped me see a clearer pattern.
Fwiw I think you did ovulate based on the temp pattern. The more you use FF the better it gets at working out your ovation though occasionally it still tries to mess with your head

Ovation?! ovulation

I'd say you have oved but perhaps on day 22 as you were getting EWCM after FF thinks you might have oved and your temp dipped then and then rose steadily.

Apparently testing around 2pm is recommended as the best way to pick up the surge. I've always got a positive testing at that time each month I have used OPKs. When I was doing IUI and using OPKs to time it, the clinic told me to do 2 a day to make sure I didn't miss it.

Faith - yes my timings were really erratic. I'm a terrible sleeper so setting an alarm for 6am or even 4am would't mean I'd had the required amount of sleep. I'm temping if I wake and I've had 3+ hours (unless there's a chance of another decent amount of sleep before my alarm goes off)!

Also, Euro, I thought CD22 or 23 was more likely as I had what I've always considered 'OV pains' then. I suppose I'll know when my period arrives.

I've just stocked up on OPKs from Amazon (enough to do 2/3 a day).

Sneezy I use the cheap OPKs from amazon too. I test every wee when I think OV is close. Surge is so easy to miss.