Post # 1
Member
927 posts
Busy bee
For those who know when they ovulate (charting), when do you ovulate compared with when you get EWCM? Before, during, after? How about ovulation pains?
I had some EWCM and ovulation pains on CD16, usually have 29-day cycles. I’m just wondering whether that means I ovulated on CD16 or if it happens later?
I have tried charting but found it really difficult to get consistent temps working shift work. Just trying to figure out how to maximize our chances…
Post # 3
Bee
6468 posts
Bee Keeper
- Wedding: June 2011 - Sydney, Australia
The few times I did ovulate, I got the watery/EWCM a few days before, lining up with OPK’s. The actual temp shift to confirm an O date ususally showed that the CM was more fertile just BEFORE I O-ed. But everyone’s slightly different! 🙂
Post # 4
Member
1675 posts
Bumble bee
For me, EWCM usually starts 3-4 days before O. I get O pains the same day as O (confirmed by temp spike the next day).
If you aren’t able to temp, you might want to check your cervical position/softness/openness. Those signs in combination with your CM should give you a general idea of when to expect ovulation.
Post # 5
Member
3313 posts
Sugar bee
I’ve found that I’ll get it at somewhat random times in addition to ovulation. For instance this month I had it for 6 days in a row, but now it’s appearing from my temps that I didn’t ovulate at that time but much later (2 weeks). I’ve also noticed that I’ll still get it sometimes after I KNOW I’ve ovulated… It is something that very much depends on the person and probably on things affecting hormones.
Post # 6
Member
927 posts
Busy bee
Thanks for telling me your experiences, ladies. Even though I know everyone is different, it’s nice to hear what it’s like for you. I think I ovulate around CD16-17. I’m guessing if we just BD CD12-16, we’ll have a good shot at catching the egg. Not planning on TTC until Sept but just thinking ahead 🙂
Post # 7
Member
3313 posts
Sugar bee
@QBbride: That’s a good plan, but I’d also keep bd’ing for a few days after as a just in case measure. Especially if you aren’t quite sure of your cycle. Since you aren’t ttc yet, I’d recommend that you start charting now so that you have a clearer picture of how regular your cycle is. My DH and I try to basically bd every other day throughout the cycle so that on any given day we’ll have a pretty good chance of catching the eggie! 😀
Post # 8
Member
2538 posts
Sugar bee
For me it was random for a few months after I came of BC, but then was typically 2 days before O.
Post # 9
Member
927 posts
Busy bee
@dodgercpkl: I tried charting for one month, but my temps were all over the place. I work shift work so my temps were always super warm after waking up after working a night shift. Fertility Friend was so confused, it even said it didn’t detect ovulation. So I gave up! I was hoping to get a good idea of my cycles before ttc!
Post # 10
Member
183 posts
Blushing bee
For me I usually get EWCM two days befor ovulation and that formula is fairly accurate when I use the OPKs
Post # 11
Member
3313 posts
Sugar bee
@QBbride: Are you sure that you are ovulating? You could have cycles without ovulation. And yeah… I know how frustrating shift work is. I just do my best and follow as close as I can to the same pattern each day. My times are almost always different, but I make sure I’ve had at least 3 hours of sleep. BUT I also know that temping doesn’t work for everyone.
Post # 12
Member
927 posts
Busy bee
@dodgercpkl: well I guess I’m not sure I’m ovulating since I only charted that one month. But usually I get O pains and EWCM. The month I attempted charting I didn’t really have either, so maybe I was having an annovulatory cycle. I know usually you can have a couple of those a year… I guess that’s why charting is good. To make sure I’m actually ovulating and that my LP isn’t too short. Do you chart at the exact same time everyday? Or do you think as long as I have 3 hours of sleep it’s OK? sometimes my wakeup time varies…
Post # 13
Member
3313 posts
Sugar bee
@QBbride: It’s not optimal, but fertilityfriend.com has a page about temping and shift work:
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/BBT-and-shift-work.html
As for me, I work shifts, and mix that with classes and my husbands work schedule and my difficulties sleeping for long periods of time… so yeah it’s pretty much impossible for me to take my temp at the same time of day. No guarantees that I’ll have gotten to bed in time to or that I’ll sleep long enough to. So I just make sure that I’ve had at least 3 hours of sleep and try to be as consistent as possible. So far it’s worked for me. My body has been frustrating to say the least since I deal also with PCOS, had no natural cycle at all for 17 months and then had a miscarriage which my body is still re-adjusting from afterwards, but the temping has helped me ID whether I’ve actually ovulated or just geared up for it.
Post # 14
Member
927 posts
Busy bee
@dodgercpkl: Thanks for your advice! I guess I should continue charting and see what happens. I’d rather figure out my cycles beforehand and identify a problem early, if there is one.
Post # 15
Member
478 posts
Helper bee
Do you all still have the ewcm after your o date? or does it seem to shut off completely after o?