Things you didn't realise about the menstrual cycle before TTC

[LadderToTheMoon]

As pretty much all examples of a menstrual cycle are based on a 28 day cycle (and therefore ovulation being on day 14, i.e. half way through), I always thought that ovulation occurs halfway through a cycle, regardless of the length of the cycle (i.e. a 22 day cycle = ovulation on day 11; 34 day cycle = ovulation on day 17).

Yes I used to think loads of hilarious things, like if you'd had a period you would definitely have ovulated and no period = no ovulation.

Total rubbish of course, I conceived DD within about three months of coming off the pill and without having even a withdrawal bleed.

Been trying for six months for #2, having periods every month, blood test results inconclusive but entirely possible that I might not be ovulating in spite of periods.

SIGH! Onwards to the next hospital appointment tomorrow...

I'm still learning all this! Funny how for 10 years plus you're terrified of getting pg and think it happens at the drop of a hat.....lol

When I first started ttc, it didn't even occur to me that I should try and time dtd around the days I would be ovulating I am a scientist

Yes, and I also thought that I'd fall pg immediately the minute I stop taking the pill

Oh blimey, it hadn't even occurred to me that just because someone has regular periods, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are ovulating.

With DD, my cycle was very long and erratic, with very scanty periods. I conceived DD after a year or so.

This time around my cycle is 24 days, so I just assumed I'd definitely be ovulating each time. It's only month 2 of trying (and last time I don't think we got our timing right), so we'll see. Something to be aware of anyway.

And yes, completely agree with all the avoiding getting pregnant for so long, thinking back to school sex education lessons - "yes, you can get pregnant during your period" etc. (I know this is technically still possible, but you know what I'm getting at!)

To be fair to the teachers, we probably would all have got pregnant on our periods then, aged 15-16, right when having a baby would be a massive headache!