Just out of curiosity...

You've all been very supportive in my very early stages of family planning. As I am sure some of you have read, DH and I visited my doctor last week to ask him the best way for us to conceive after I go off the pill and we got the advice we needed which was to wait until after my first natural AF and start on day 10 (BDing every other day) without charting or temping until it has been deemed necessary to do so in 5-6 months.

So... my question to the TTCers is, how many of you have started this way versus temping/charting as soon as you knew you were ready to start TTC? My course of action hasn't changed nor will it. However I am just curious to know how you ladies all began.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

we are just doing it the old fashioned way---at least for several months...

1.) i'm too lazy to chart everyday

2.) i'd forget since i get up to go to the bathroom sometimes before the alarm even goes off

Re: Just out of curiosity...

We tried the first two months without charting or OPKs but I started to get impatient and thought we'd have better odds if I at least charted.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

We're not officially trying right now but I'm charting and temping (half a$$ed temping really) just to get a good idea of my cycle. Also to make sure we don't get pregnant before we're ready.

Our jobs are both very demanding and require some travel so I figured once we are ready to try it'll be good to make sure we're at least in the same state on the right days and historical charts would help. If we didn't have this issue I think we'd just go with the old fashioned way.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

We decided to try the "old fashioned" way for two months then I was going to use the OPKs and temp. Well, I bought the thermometer and the OPKs, but didn't get a chance to use them becase I got my BFP the first month.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

Our first time pg we weren't charting or anything like that...it just happened.

After we lost our son (full term loss), we tried for one month and were unsuccessful...it was after this that I decided to start charting.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

Re: Just out of curiosity...

I charted and got PG right away -- before we were actively TTC. I was charting b/c I have endometriosis, so I knew I might have trouble conceiving. Charting allows you to see if you are ovulating, how long your luteal phase is, if you have fertile quality cervical mucus -- all things your doctor would look into if you had trouble conceiving. I figured -- why waste my time -- if I did have trouble I would be able to show my doctor that all these things were happening and that would help us more quickly and easily determine a course of action.

I am also addicted to learning and found the whole process fascinating. It's not hard to do and it taught me a lot about my body.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

I wanted to be ready to TTC around my next bday. I figured I would come off the pill some time in April (which I did). My annual was supposed to be in May and I figured I would talk to my doctor then. However, I put off making the appointment and can't go until the end of June.

In the mean time, I started lurking on here to obtain information for this next phase in my life. Initially, I thought we would just "see what happens." However, after reading posts for a while, I decided to purchase the book TCOYF that everyone was talking about. It helped answer a lot of questions that I had and I also understand what people are talking about a little better now.

I decided to start charting because I find the changes going on at different points of my cycle very interesting. I find that since I know where I am in my cycle, I am less stressed about it.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

Re: Just out of curiosity...

we tried that for almost a year...never did work for us.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

We're going to try it the old-fashioned way as well. My dr said we would discuss other options (charting, specialists, etc) if we were not successful in 6 months. I was very comfortable with that. I know myself and I don't think I will be responsible enough to temp every day - life is too hectic!

Re: Just out of curiosity...

I am getting way too antsy to get this "party" started. DH and I came to a conclusion to start ( if you can call it that) next month. But I have a very hard time delaying my gratification. i feel like Veruca Salt. I WANT IT NOW!

Re: Just out of curiosity...

We used OPKS right away and started charting by like the 3rd real month of trying, maybe sooner.

Re: Just out of curiosity...

We mutually agreed that I'd go off the pill pretty much right after the wedding (I've been off since December). We're not quite ready to TTC but given a family history of early menopause (mom & grandmom went thru it at 37!!) I thought it would be best to get the pill out of my system first. I've been charting (mostly to avoid pregnancy at this point), but I find it's a great way to know what's happening with your body. Now, when we do decide to try, I'll know right away if there's reason to be alarmed if a few months go by and nothing happens.