Ovulation, when should I be calculating from?

[HowFastIsTooFast]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I feel like as a Woman of 36 having had periods for over 20 years I should know this, but apparently not!

We're on our 3rd cycle of TTC and just using a period tracker app at the moment to guess at ovulation, but I'm not sure I'm doing it right!

Sorry if tmi but I usually spot light brown discharge on and off for 4-5 days, then come on heavily for 3-4 days with cramps on the first day, then pretty much stops dead like a tap turned off.

I've always counted the first day of AF as being the first heavy day, as before that it doesn't feel like I'm 'on', but should I actually be counting from the first day of spotting? If so, then ovulation could be about 5 days earlier than I currently think it is....

I would buy Taking Charge of your Fertility. It'll explain everything.

It does sound like Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of full flow. But no one can tell unless you're temping.

And you don't necessarily ovulate mid cycle, anyway. I ovulate day 11, for example. I get fertile cervical mucus days 9 to 11 then it turns creamy so I know my fertile days are over.

Sounds like your instinct on your cycle is right, and temping will just help clarify.

I think the first day of your cycle is the first day of full red bleeding, that's where I've always counted from anyway.

I would recommend trying OPKs if at all possible though as I found out that I ovulate on day 10 or 11 and was missing my most fertile period each month for ages.

Thanks Ladies. I didn't want to get into the technicalities of temps and OPK just yet as we're still easing ourselves into the idea. This month we've just been covering our bases by DTD every day; DP thinks it's Christmas 😉

I will investigate OPK for next cycle though, and download the suggested book!