Does anyone chart their cycle as a form of contraception?

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

I don't have to worry for a while as I am pg, but it is something I would like to do once my cycle becomes regular again.

I fell pg with ds by mistake and I got pg with dc2 in the first month of trying. This makes me think (rightly or wrongly) dp and I are quite a fertile couple. So, if I can trust charting to get me pg, can I trust it not to as well - iyswim!

I know the answer is probably yes and that I'm rambling, but I wonder if anyone else on here as any experience?

Thanks xx

Anyone?

I did, it didn't work. DS4 is the result .

I think the problem is your cycle changes aftyer pg and as you get older (well that's my excuse)

I was always very regular and conceived easily.

If it's not the end of the world if you do get pg (as in my case) then it's probably ok but as a 99.9% effective form of contraception then no, I wouldn't recommend it.

Thanks ML - you've probably confirmed what I really feel about it. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I got pg again, but there will come a point when I don't want anymore children.

If you don't mind me asking. Why did you choose charting? What do you use for contraception now? I really want to stay away from chemical contraception and condoms make me itch (we have tried various different brands and non-latex etc etc)

Thanks x

it depends how you look at it, we thought it worked well for us for 4 yrs, yet health professional said "actually it's just atken you 4 yrs to conceive as it is so unreliable unless you do it really seriously" ie taking your temp etc. 1st bubs due in less than 3 weeks and was totally unplanned (but very much wanted :-) )

I chose charting because I naively thought I knew my body.

I had been on the pill before DS1. We tried condoms now and then but neither of us really liked them. I think the problem with charting, once you have toddlers and babies about the place it all goes to pot.

I now have a mirena coil. It has mostly been very good, no periods and trouble free although I did have a blip when my period seemed to return. my skin got bad and I was a bit down. Obviously it is an hormonal contraceptive and it doesn't suit everyone (many threads on here) but it suits me.

Good luck

Yes we did and we now have a 15 month old ds2 now dh has had the snip.

It's looking like dp will be heading towards the snip

Does anyone else have anything to add? All opinions/experiences welcome.

Not a charting expert but I'm guessing you would be relatively ok if you kept sex to after your chart showed you had ovilated up to when you got your period. Wouldn't risk anytime between period and your 'fertile' time though.