Any guesses?

[lady_goodman]

I have a friend who's been TTC for over a year with no luck. She's +30. She just sent me a bunch of her charts and I'm trying to help her figure out what's going on but I'm not super up to date on spotting problems. I just know something is off! The temp shift and CM are definitely not lining up in the expected way but it seems like she still could

Comments

[tooby3]

good advice, thanks!

[richghettogyrl]

I'm seeing temperature shift on Day 29, 21, and 20, is that what you're seeing? How reliable is she at taking temps? (Same time everyday?)

Maybe I'm just not familiar with fertility friend, but those red lines... I was taught (and practice) differently.

The only other thing I can suggest is something that helped us. Some men have a much lower sperm count in their first ejaculation of the day. There is a much higher sperm count in the second ejaculation, so multiple relations on the days leading up to ovulation might help.

[tooby3]

I guessed the same (or possibly cd17 for the last one based on CM)

good question about the temping thing - I'm not sure how consistent she's being.

one thing that did stand out is she's timing her sex based on assuming much earlier ovulation date.

[finding_helena]

Yeah, that was something I noticed... she didn't seem to be having sex at the optimum times, and maybe that's part of why it isn't working. It does look like she's ovulating. Usually by the time the temp shift shows up, that's a sign that she should have done it the previous night, or before. I have a hard time reading these charts because I don't use Fertility Friend and wasn't able to figure out what all their abbreviations meant. But maybe she has a delayed temperature rise and is actually ovulating a couple of days *before* the temp shift?

Regardless, she needs to get laid more. :P

[lady_goodman]

agreed - although if she's like me, she's only recording the deed when she thinks it's relevant to TTC!

[kimie_catclaw]

I don't have any experience with digital OPKs, but when I use the little strips, I generally get positive results a couple days before the temperature shift, plus another one or two (so, say three to five positive tests total).

[tooby3]

same - I think the strips are much easier because you can see a progression.

[thebestbabybug]

they look a little all over the place like my charts were before starting acupuncture/herbs for TTC and spotting issues. I had pretty short cycles though and short(ish) luteal phase. it took us 18 months to get pregnant with 8 months of acupuncture/herbs and the month I got pregnant we started taking organic maca root.

also agree that she may want to try 1-2 days before ovulation and couple days after to make sure she is getting a good range. also, every other day seems to be better than everyday for sperm production in some men. GL to your friend!

[lady_goodman]

thanks! they seemed a little all over the place to me too. Did the acupuncture makes your temps less erratic?

[thebestbabybug]

oh yes! it took a few months for it all to regulate and to get the right herbs working but eventually my cycle evened out to around 26 days on average and nice long (10-11 day LP). I was able to start seeing a clear temp shift for ovulation and it helped me take a lot of the guess work out of it. I tried OPK's and they didn't really work for me.

[nisie]

I think it's time she shows her charts to a ob/gyn honestly.

[tooby3]

I did actually suggest that (although I told her to skip the ob/gyn and see a reproductive endocrinologist. Her ob/gyn has told her she has no issues without looking at her charts, etc.. I'm not convinced she has the tools to help.

She's 33, 34.. it's been at least a year of trying. I say why waste more time wondering. She can still make adjustments in her timing and see if that works while she's getting a full work up.

[clothmother]

My charts look really similar, actually, and I wish your friend better luck than I have had. Please update us again if she finds out what's going on. :/