Anyone tried ferning to determine ovulation?

[iRawra]

Hi everyone,

I bought a maybe baby that was delivered on Saturday. First two days showed 'pebbles', so not fertile. Today (CD23) I've got what looks like some ferning, or the start of what will be ferning. However, I'm also getting some spotting the last few days so unsure what's going on. Attached my picture if anyone has some ideas or has done ferning before :)

Anyone got any insight?

Hmmm can you post your other photo?

It does look like it but it’ll take a month or two for you to see your patterns.

The spotting could be good, it’s often a sign of ovulation.

@Livingmagicallyagainiving thanks for the reply. I don't have another photo I'm afraid, but when I stop ferning I'll take one to show you. I thought it could either be transitional or full ferning but we will see. SIL who put me onto this said it looks really good but we will see :)

I had an ultrasound today as part of sub-fertility checks for DH and I, and the sonographer confirmed I have ovulated from my left ovary! Confirms the spotting and ferning! I am speechless!

That’s great news! The ovulation spotting was also a giveaway! Fingers crossed for TTC now!!

@livingmagicallyagain thank you! Hoping we've caught it right with timings. Was back to 'pebbles' today rather than ferns so yesterday's ferns and the spotting could have actually indicated an implantation according to what I've read! I suppose we are all different so will see how it pans out! I can't stop thinking and hoping though. Has been a tough year. I'm hoping your journey has been ok so far :)

That sounds exciting! Spotting a good indicator of both, so either way fingers crossed for you! How long are your cycles usually?

I’ve had a tough old journey but after deciding not to try and just relax this month...BFP!

Hi @iRawra what's ferning? Xx

@Livingmagicallyagain congratulations! That's amazing!

Mine can be regular around 34 days for like 4/5 months and then have an odd 60 ish day cycle, so guessing at just an anovulatory period of one cycle basically. To be fair they only started getting regular at a year after I stopped the pill, so I must have retained a lot of estrogen and my body needed to learn how to ovulate again, and then I had a really stressful few months with work and a friend passing away, so I don't really blame my body for not wanting to ovulate at that time when I had a 60 day cycle. Just doing all the sub-fertility tests now.

@Cherry678 ferning is when you use an ovulation microscope (I use the maybe baby brand at the recommendation of my sister in law who has PCOS and endo so irregular cycles). When you wake up you take a spot of saliva and let it dry over 15-20 mins. If you're going to ovulate in the next 24-72 hours (different for each women) it will show a 'fern' pattern under the microscope. This is caused by the estrogen surge making your saliva contain more salt. Has to be in the morning so nothing interferes with it. It's completely reusable and means you don't need to fork out for LH tests :)

@Cherry678 my photo above shows 'ferns' :)

Been ferning for the last 4 days since my ultrasound which confirmed ovulation had already happened. No clue what's going on. Attached last 3 days images as first day is already above. Anyone know what's happening?

Hi iRawra - did you end up working out what’s happening? I’ve had a similar pattern over the last few days and trying to work it out! It’s the first time I’ve ever had ferns on my maybe baby so 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Hi @Quattro4 no I didn't :/ I gave up on feeling. Only had 1 period since then. Ovulated a week ago
based on symptoms so in the TWW at the moment. The ultrasound I had in Feb was wrong as I didn't get my period for 4 weeks after they claimed I had ovulated. It broke my heart as I thought I was pregnant but getting negative tests, but after 2 and a bit weeks I got all my ovulation symptoms so the ultrasound must have just been wrong. Hope it means you're ovulating :)

@Quattro4 ferning not feeling lol