how can I work out when I'm.ovulating

[sprite25]

When me and DH were TTC with DD I counted days between period's, worked out roughly when I might ovulate and used ovulation tests to be more accurate. This worked as I got pregnant after about 5 months. DD is now nearly 15 mo and we would like to try for no 2 but since DD my cycle is still all over the place sometimes going ages with no period or having 2 in a month, or sometimes just spotting. We've not been using protection for a while but it's frustrating when we think we might have DTD at the right time only for me to come on a couple of days later. Any advice is appreciated

The only accurate way is to chart your temperature.

Take it with a thermometer that measures to two decimal places as soon as you wake up in the morning. Wake up at the same time, and don't get up, just reach for the thermometer.

Either chart it on paper or use the Fertility Friend app or similar on your phone.

Those stick things only measure your hormones, I believe they don't actually say if you have ovulated.

Taking Charge of your Fertility is a book recommended on here lots and explains everything really well.

Yes definitely chart your temperature, it made me feel so much less stressed about TTC as I felt like I gained some control back.

If your cycle is all over the place I would seek medical advice on this sooner rather than later. Any such changes, particularly spotting and unusual patterns of bleeds, should be reported to the GP.

Forget too about DTD at the "right" time as self predicting ovulation can be a nightmare to do particularly if the cycle is irregular in nature as yours currently is. Also doing that can lead to more problems. Ovulation is not an exact science and a woman can ovulate earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle.

OPKs are not helpful at all if the menstrual cycle is irregular so do not waste any more of your hard earned cash on such things.

Blood tests can be done to give an accurate picture of what your hormone levels are like now.

Thanks for all the replies I think I will see GP just to check everything is Ok as even when my cycles weren't always completely predictable when TTC DD they were nothing like this and thought they would of settled down now