Ok, so a “brief" BFP overview as requested by @Juno231 and @Tillybabs!
I came off the pill (Rigevidon) in July 2020. I'd been on that, and before that Microgynon, pretty solid since my teens; aside from a 5 year stint of a Mirena coil in my mid twenties, which is also hormonal 🙄 - I’m aged 33, for info. I should also say I regularly ran multiple pill packs together for months / years on end, as I bloody hated AF!
I started using Natural Cycles to track my cycle when I came off the pill in July, and actually had the app set to ‘prevent’ pregnancy at first, as we weren’t “actively" trying before our wedding in October - I’d say we were kind of ‘not trying not preventing’, but I was tracking so knew what was going on! We were pretty fast and loose with it all.
I was having pretty regular 30-31 day cycles, though I noticed my ovulation dates were late and variable - ovulating somewhere between CD19-CD23, and my temps were quickly back under cover level post-O (I usually had the 3 days over coverline to confirm, and then temps went straight back down!) each cycle. I also noticed my periods, while regular in terms of AF timing, were SUPER light - to the point where I barely needed to use a pantyliner. Some light red spotting, and blood on the loo roll when wiping, but other than that nada! I wasn't even sure when to log CD1s. I was getting cramping and other symptoms before and during though.
I switched the Natural Cycles app properly to the TTC setting in November, and I started taking Vitabiotics Pregnacare supplements then, though I had a really odd cycle that month of 24 days. I think I ovulated CD18, but again only had 3 days over cover temp line, and only one really high temp - and then AF in November at 6dpo. This seemed like a really odd month so I wondered if it was actually anovulatory, or if it was the effect of starting the supplements, as they do say they can mess with your cycle.
I should say I was also using cheapie OPKs (Femometer strips) intermittently throughout cycle tracking, but while I had a few noticeable lines darker or lighter over days, I really struggled to actually catch a peak where the line was as dark as the control line. I also noticed my luteal phase was on the short side, and clearly had some issues with progesterone generally as my temps were back down quickly.
In December I switched to Fertility Friend app instead of Natural Cycles to data collect. However, I had a family bereavement and my temping and OPK’s went out the window! I logged CM and tried to time DTD around CD18, 19, 20, 21. Temp on CD22 was above cover, so think I did ovulate, but AF appeared as usual.
In January, I invested in ClearBlue Advanced Digital Ovulation Tests. I didn’t really temp, but started these CD9, and used once every day with FMU, as directed, rather than in the afternoons / evenings as I was using the ICs. I got two days of ‘low’; then eight days of ‘high’ CD11-18; then a peak reading on CD19. I also then got a positive IC OPK reading with FMU CD20 - which makes me wonder maybe if I’d used FMU with IC’s from the start I might have had more luck!! I also started taking B Complex vitamins (Thanks @Kay00!) as well as the Pregnacare supplements from CD21 to try to extend my luteal a bit, and while I wasn’t temping throughout the month, the sporadic temps I did take seemed to indicate higher temps for a longer period in my luteal phase after this, which I was pleased with. FF thought I ovulated CD20; Natural Cycles thought CD21, but NC doesn’t compute the advanced OPKs so I assumed FF was more accurate.
Symptom wise, CD25 (5dpo) at about 11pm I felt a quick sharp pain in my left side, and a pulling down feeling in my lower abdomen, which I did think could be IBS issues! But I googled implantation at the time, as it crossed my mind, though I know it’s early. Then CD30 (10dpo) I was quite nauseous during the day, mainly in the afternoon. But I’d realised at that point I was 10dpo with no pre-AF cramps or spotting, so also thought it might be nerves!! Between yesterday and today I’ve been having - not cramps - but like super mild feelings kind of like cramp - I don’t really know how to explain. I struggled to figure out if it was early cramping for AF or something else. Part cramp-type feelings, part just movement? I obviously know bean isn’t moving or anything yet, but not sure if it’s womb lining adjusting or whatever.
Got the BFP this morning with a ClearBlue Ultra Early Pregnancy Test (and FMU) on CD32, which is the day AF was due - 12dpo according to FF, 11dpo according to Natural Cycles. (Natural Cycle actually also prompted me to test then anyway though due to AF dates.)
Obviously I’m currently absolutely terrified! And will be on here lots to check in. Hope it’s the first of many BFPs on this thread this month!!