Different cycle every month so how do I know when to test and when I ovulate?

[mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime]

Hi,
We are trying for number 2 at the moment but my cycle has changed alot since coming off the pill about 6 months ago (only been trying for 1 month though!)
Each month I have a 24, 26, 28 day cycle and I bleed for differnet amount of days each month too.

It is day 24 of my cycle tomorrow and no sign of af yet. I had some spotting today though.
Guess my question is how do I know when I ovulate if cycle is differnet each month and how do I know when to test?!

the length of your cycle has no bearing on when you ovulate

use ovulation predictor kits or chart

are you 'mumfor1standfinaltime'?

what happened?

I am mumfor1standfinaltime! We have decided to go for number 2!
Have no idea about ovulation kits/charts and how they work!

How do they work?

you could buy a body basal thermometer from ebay and take your temperature every morning then chart it on fertility friend.com.
if your temp goes up then you are ovulating
i hav just bought a thermometer from ebay is really good started taking my temp this morning.
i stopped pill on jan23rd first cycle was 55 days.

Thanks tinkerbell. Will have a look. When I came off the pill with ds it was very differnet - my cycle was more regular. 55 days seems ages, bet it felt a life time lol!
Do you think I could test tomorrow if af doesn't arrive, or would it be too early?

hi
try joining fertility friend its free to join and i have found it very useful to chart my cycles. i started taking my temp this cycle aswell and was able to pinpoint exactly when i ovulated your temp rises after ov and stays high until af or you get a BFP and stop temping you can also do OPKs which tell you when you will ov by showing a rise in hormone before ov i havent tried these myself but others have had success with them
i hope that helps in some way and good luck TTC
xx ei xx

Wow, so much to learn lol! Thanks! Will be looking later. Better go and bath ds and look like I have done something today

It will be really difficult to tell when to test without knowing when you ovulated. Ovulation day can change from month to month, but normally the luteal phase (after ovulation) stays the same.

I'd say don't bother testing until at least the day after your longest cycle. If that was 28 days, leave it till at least CD29.

I'd definitely suggest investing in a thermometer and temping so you can confirm if/when ovulation is happening. Fertility friend is great, I think most of the people who temp on MN use it.

As to thermometers, I like the Boots one that costs about £40. It has an alarm to make sure you temp the same time each day, and records the temp so you can just temp and go back to sleep!

It will be day 29 on Saturday so will just have to see if af rears it's ugly head I guess and be patient! I have very tender breasts at the mo, but think I may just be being hopeful!
I did think it may be too early to test on day 24. Have just looked briefly at the fertility friend web site, have sent dh upstairs to read ds a bedtime story!

Well it is day 25 today and still no sign of af, but have been having mild stomach cramps, so thinking it is round the corner!

Good luck anniemac

Hello Mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime

We have fertility awareness practitioners here in Edinburgh and they are great - the best and most reliable way to know when you are ovulating is the Billings Ovulation Method. This uses observation of your cervical mucus so it would not matter how long your cycle is as you would know from your chart when you ovulated and, just as important, how long your luteal phase is after you ovulate. It's so easy but you do need someone to teach you.

If you are bothered by your cycles varying so much then acupuncture and chinese herbs have been found to help settle things down and make them more regular but do make sure it's a qualified practitioner you see.

Hope this helps.

I was like that, cycles anything between 4 and 8 weeks. I found watching for change in cervical mucus the most effective method. Worked for me and now pregnant with No. 2.

Wow thanks! Just looked it up on the net, interesting reading! Will be doing some serious studying lol.

It does to be a little 'odd' checking for cm doesn't it anniemac. The articles on the subject are interesting but not very romantic! lol.
Also can't say I have ever noticed my cm! Then again never been actively looking for it!

Hi there
don't know where you live but in London there is the BOM Trust (Tel: 020 7793 0026)
that will teach you (for free) about your cervical mucus and how to observe it - they would also be able to point out if it looked as though you might be having problems. Also using a cough expectorant such as Robitussin increases your CM - if you need more info let me know. However, a fertility diet is also very important for good CM and acupuncture and chinese herbs can also help improve CM. Oh - and not being stressed !

Thanks JulietM, I live in Norfolk. I am trying to eat healthily and been taking folic acid. I am now going to try and go with the flow and relax!

Hello again
I will find out if there is a Billings Ovulation Method teacher in the Norfolk area and get back to you.
Eating healthily is good but not the same as a fertility diet. A good nutritionist (preferably one with a special interest in fertility) would help or you could get Marilyn Glenville's book - Natural Solutions to Infertility'
Cheers

Try reading Toni Weschler-Taking Charge Of Your Fertility, a fabulously packed book on cycle info.

It's a bit of a ttc bible