Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

I'm still not sure when my O date is or how long my luteal phase. Like i've said in the past, I've never seen a + on the OPKs, but I've only really used them for one or two cycles so I guess I haven't given them a REAL chance.

I just started using the Fertile Focus saliva one on CD10. I immediately got very very slight 'ferning'. CD11 I had partial 'ferning' again and then today on CD12 there's nothing. Very strange.

How this works is, you will have nothing at first, and then partial ferning a couple days before ovulation, intense ferning the day of, and then back to partial again until it's all gone. So it's just a basic cycle.

I'll have to keep watching and see what happens in the days that come, but now I'm starting to wonder if there's any way I ovulated BEFORE CD10. I never test before that date, and now I'm thinking - what if that's why I've never seen a positive? And the fact that the partial ferning just disappeared (which I don't think is normal) - maybe I'm actually at the END of my O-ing cycle, not at the beginning. Hmm

I'm on a regular 28 day cycle (it sometimes varies to maybe 27-30 days tho). Would it even be POSSIBLE for me to O before CD10? Like on CD7, 8, or 9? That would probably give me a long luteal phase though and I don't know what the means for TTC.

I'll keep my eye on it and see if I do O later this week though, as I should. But in the mean time I'm just curious if that's even a possibility. So strange how it gave me partial yesterday and then disappeared today.

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

I know absolutely nothing about luteal phases or anything else...I am trying to figure it all out but sometimes I just feel like . I am trying for the first time to figure out my O date this month, so I feel your frustration. Using various websites I have a rough idea of when I should O (end of this week) but just to be sure I don't miss it, I will be testing daily just to be sure. Lord knows that I never symptom normally for anything so I can't go by cramps or CM, and temping is too much work for me (for now, we'll see what I say in a few months). I know that I am probably just wasting strips by starting to test this early, but hey, it is an excuse for me to POAS

Basically, what I was trying to say in a very long winded way is good luck, I can't really help since I don't know too much about it all yet, and I feel it is never too early to test

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

Hmmm... Interesting. Maybe you did O when you had partial ferning? Some ppl never get a dark dark line on the OPK, maybe it is the same as that? If you don't get your BFP this month, next cycle you should test w/ the OPK everyday once AF leaves. That way you don't have to worry about missing it. Maybe you are just O'ing early. Also I would BD every other from when AF leaves for as long as you can manage into your cycle. That way you don't have to worry about missing your window. Good luck

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

TMI question - how has your CM been? Did you have any or even EWCM around the time you got the partial ferning pattern?

I'm actually not sure about having a longer than 16 day LP on an average 28 day cycle. I would be tempted to say that you are likely ovulating no earlier than CD11 or CD12, but you really just never know. I hope you get your real ferning pattern!!!!

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

Posted by Ever-After

Posted by LoveyQ

TMI question - how has your CM been? Did you have any or even EWCM around the time you got the partial ferning pattern?

Actually that's another reason why I am so confused by this. My CM seems like it's leading towards Oing. Last I've noticed it's just been wet & sticky, but not EW. So i feel like I couldn't have O'd yet. But then I'm still curious why I would get partial ferning and then nothing today Maybe it's still on it's way. This IS my first month with it, so I'm still learning.

Hopefully I get the full ferning soon. I'm just getting very stressed out with not knowing when I O. I absolutely hate feeling like I'm in the dark with this. If I never see it this cycle, then I'm going to have to start testing from the moment AF ends to the moment it begins in my next cycle This is so frustrating!!

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

You could be ovulating later than you think you are. Keep us updated!

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

yeah, if you haven't tried the digital OPKs then it may be worth it to invest in some. keep eating those baby carrots too (and some grapefruit juice).

Re: Feeling a little lost - long luteal phase maybe? (long question, sorry)

it's possible that your body was getting ready to ovulate and then something happened to postpone it (stress). when that happens, your body will then try again to ovulate. but i'm not sure.

the more ways you track O, the better you can pinpoint it. and i'm sure like anything else, the more you use these tests, the better in tune with your body you will become. good luck!