Ovulation symptoms question

[TTCnewbies]

Hi all, I have a question about ovulation. I am active on a very friendly thread on here for TTC but didn't want to clog up / my question to get lost. So thought id start a thread.
So I'm new to TTC. I started logging on glow up in around June, mainly just putting my periods in and trying to lot symptoms every day. But I do not do ovulation tests and I don't take my temp so glow guesses when I'll ovulate.

I'm on CD16 today of a roughly 28/30 day cycle. It's predicting my ovulation as tomorrow but gave me a window of one week from last Sat to this Sat.

My question is...
What are the stages of ovulation?
So on Sunday I had cramps in my lower left side and EWCM and again on Monday but then yesterday it was a lot dryer and definitely not EWCM. Would you say I probably ovulated on Sunday / Monday? I guess I'll probably in future use ovulation stripe but we didn't want to put too much pressure on in the first month of trying. Although we have DTD every day this week so far.

Any help would be great.

Hi @TTCnewbies 😀
Based on the CM description, I reckon your guess is spot on. The pain sounds right too although I find pain an unreliable indicator as I get strange twinges on and off throughout my cycle but actually almost never ovulate naturally. So as you probably know, DTD in the week leading up to ovulation gives you the best shot. You probably said on the other thread but (if you don’t mind me asking), what’s the reason not to test for ovulation? Are you just having a go the old fashioned way first?

God, I’m clearly and idiot - just re read your post and you very clearly state why you’re not currently using OPKs!! Doh.

Thanks for your reply @DoloresOnTheDottedLine
Yes, no major reason, just that it's the first month and I didn't want to spend loads of money straight away. I think we will just see what happens this side of Christmas and if not succesful, we may use the tests in the new year.
Just feeling like I need a break from DTD tonight but my app is saying tomorrow ovulation but I think from my signs I maybe already have. So might give tonight a break.

If you're not feeling up to DTD tonight, from what you've said you've got a good chance even if ovulation happens tomorrow. Sperm can survive in the womb for a few days so not DTD every day is fine. It does sound likely ovulation has already happened though based on CM. Best of luck ☺️

Definitely don’t DTD if she don’t fancy it - as you say, you’re at the start of your TTC journey (which will hopefully be nice and short!) so no need for special measures yet! I’m CD18 and ovulated on Saturday or Sunday so we’re almost twinnies this cycle! Good luck. 😊

Sounds like your EWCM is a good sign - when mine dries up it means I've ovulated. Pain isn't a reliable measure - only around 5% of women actually get ovulation pains, the rest of the time it's just because we're paying so much more attention to our bodies that we notice every twinge, most of which we've provably had forever and doesn't mean anything unfortunately.

If you don't feel like DTD don't - hopefully your journey is a quick one but as someone who has had a long journey so far, you want to protect intimacy at all costs. It's such an important part of a relationship and TTC can add a real strain if it goes on for a while so make sure you are communicating openly with your partner and having sex for fun too!

Thanks all! This is helpful. There's definitely been no more EWCM so I really think it might have happened already now! We gave last night a break. We both said we would but we were both knackered so decided to sack it off. We are only at the start and not in any rush yet!

Think we might try tonight and then probably leave it.

Hi hope you don't mind me popping onto this post. I have two children and had a miscarriage late in first trimester in September with my third. I ovulated a few weeks after and just had my first period. My period was shorter than usual but still as heavy. I had ewcm as soon as my period stopped. Which is so unusual for me. I usually have longer cycles (30 days) and would have creamy texture before ewcm. I'm now worried I've missed my ovulation..I did tests but were negative. I feel my cycle is now new and I have no idea what to look for etc. Stupidly I cannot remember with my two other children and third was conceived as a surprise. Is it possible to have ewcm for longer? Is that why the ov test is negative. Any advice is welcome as very anxious here. Thanks