Post # 1
Member
119 posts
Blushing bee
Hi everyone! I am so confused about what my body is doing after stopping the pill in late January. I have bought and read TCOYF and also took a NFP class because our church required it to get married. So, I have some idea of what I am doing and what should be going on, but I’m not seeing it really happening in my body or my chart.
This is my first cycle after the pill. I’ve been on it since I was 14 (for irregular periods) and just turned 26. I stopped in January. My new cycle began 1/21. The thing is, I actually had bad strep throat and high fevers that first week so my first four temps were not usable. Since then, I am usually 97.5 or 97.7 (it alternates, which seems normal), with some 98.0 randomly. I’ve never had a high temp for more than one day. My CM was sticky for about 5 days and then has been either creamy or just plain wet. There doesn’t seem to be much of it and it’s like I keep going back and forth. I had some stretchy, but it was creamy and only a 1″ stretch after sitting a long time (at dinner).
In this same three weeks we bought a house, moved, and went to Florida for a weekend. We also had some alcohol to celebrate the house, my birthday, etc. Lots of nights of restless sleep, stress, alcohol, being sick, travel all packed into one cycle. We are actually TTA right now, but you all seem to be pros at charting! I would just like some reassurance that what is going on is sort of normal for my situation.
What was it like when you stopped HBC? How long until things were normal? We are hoping to TTC within the year so I want to get the HBC out of my system before really trying. A pregnancy would be a happy surprise right now, so I’m not too worried, just nervous!
Post # 3
Member
8696 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
my gyn said 2 months after stopping is enough to clear it out of your system. many ladies on the bee have gotten pregnant first month off BCP.
Post # 4
Member
119 posts
Blushing bee
@ajillity81: Two months or two cycles, do you know? Thanks!
I forgot to add: how long until I can test if I want to? I know about the TWW but I’m not sure if that applies because I have no idea when/if I will O or if I already have.
Post # 5
Member
8696 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@odelly: i would say the time of 2 cycles so that equates to just under 2 months.
many test at 10DPO. i did that my first cycle and was dissappointed when i saw BFNs.
i now wait until the day after AF is due. so i am on cycle 5 and have only POASed 3 times so far.
Post # 6
Hostess
3572 posts
Sugar bee
@odelly: Whoah girl, you’ve actually been through a lot in the last month. I’m just guessing but with the temps you’ve had, you’ve either not ovulated and you’re probably not going to this cycle or you did ovulate sometime when you were sick and your temps are still elevated. I say this because it seems that the average pre-ovulation waking temperatures tend to fall in the 96.7-97.3 range and the average post-o temps seem to be 97.7-98.2 ish.
Definitely keep using some sort of protection if you’re TTA on top of charting for now.
Do you take your temperature as the first thing every morning when you wake up without moving? Do you take it at the same time every day?
Keep on going, and you’ll probably find that you learn a patter. Some women take a while to regulate after BC. I think 2 months is reasonable, but some take longer than that as well. It just depends on the individual.
Oh! And join the Charters thread. There’s tons of lovely ladies on there that would love to look at your chart. : )
Post # 7
Member
3378 posts
Sugar bee
@odelly: I second the invitation to join the charters thread 🙂 We’re always happy to answer questions and analyze your chart for you! Do you use Fertility Friend? Could you post a link to your chart?
I would say it’s totally possible that you haven’t ovulated, and if you haven’t, it’s also totally normal. Not only can it take awhile to go back to normal after coming off of the pill, but all the stress of moving/travelling/illness/etc. can definitely delay ovulation. No worries, just keep charting and eventually you’ll start to see a pattern!
Also, quick question, are you check your CM internally or just externally when you wipe? That could make a difference (I rarely see EWCM externally, but it’s definitely there when I check internally).
Post # 8
Member
119 posts
Blushing bee
@Mrs.LemonDrop: It has been a crazy month for sure! I was actually sick with strep WHILE on my period (THE WORST) so no way I O’d then, right? I do take my BBT with a digital thermometer right after waking. I usually go back to sleep, actually. Is that ok? Also how do I “join” a thread? I’ve been here for a year or so now but I don’t post a lot so I’m actually not sure. Thank you for all of your reassurance!
Post # 9
Member
119 posts
Blushing bee
@SadieBee: Too Much Information ahead! I check internally after wiping usually. I also try to check my cervix which has been up and down this month. I usually don’t have enough to check externally. The last few days my finger just feels wet, like if I stuck it into my mouth, nothing very noticable. What does that mean? I would call that normal/not fertile but I dont know. Sometimes it is that + a bit flowing out. I read in TCOYF it is possible to go back and forth while your body builds up enough estrogen to O. I think that might be it but it’s driving me crazy!
Post # 10
Member
3378 posts
Sugar bee
@odelly: No worries, I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as Too Much Information on WB 🙂
As far as the CM, I’d say if you’re noticing wetness flowing out, that might be watery. If you just have a little moisture on your finger after checking (like it would feel if you just touched the inside of your cheek), I usually call that dry. Watery is obvious for me because I can feel it before I even go to the bathroom (just in my underwear or whatever).
And yeah, you can have your body go through a couple of little cycles of trying to build up enough estrogen to cue LH and ovulate. You may even have an anovulatory cycle this time around, if your body decides to just start over and AF comes. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about until you’re at least 3 months out from coming off the pill, as you have to give your body some time to adjust.
Post # 11
Hostess
3572 posts
Sugar bee
@odelly: It’s possible, but not likely. Totally ok to go back to bed after temping, I always did! You just find the “Charters of the Hive” thread and fill out a “roll call” which is the first post. (It’s like a little survey so we know who you are, etc.).
@SadieBee: +1 there’s no such thing as Too Much Information when it comes to charting, lol.