July 2010 Weddings
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Starting to chart this month...
Hi Ladies! I've only been posting on this board sporadically since my graduation from The Knot, but it looks like some of you chart, so I thought I could get some advice.
I'll be charting to avoid, using condoms or a diaphragm during non-fertile days and avoiding sex at all during fertile days. Is anyone else charting to avoid? Do you all do check-ins at all? I'm really nervous to start this, as we aren't ready for a baby yet at all (but would still be thrilled if it happened)! Any advice?
Also, I'll be coming off birth control, so it will take a while for my schedule to return to normal. Any advice for this transition period?
I should add that I already have a copy of 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility'. 
Happy to see what everyone's up to!
Re: Starting to chart this month...
I chart to avoid right now! We don't use any other form of birth control and I guess we're a testimonial as to how it can work! 2 years and no baby yet! It does strengthen your marriage as you do have to work to find other forms of intimacy during your fertile period.
Tips: always take your temp at the same time. Keep notes on anything that might affect it...room temp, travel, alcohol, medication, etc.
If you are keeping track of cervical mucus too...keep notes. You'll get used to what's normal for you, but it's nice to have notes to look back on til then!
Have you checked around to see if there are classes offered near you? That really helped me out! Around me the only classes offered are through the Catholic diocese, but they are open to non religious people or those of different faiths. They aren't really religious except for one class you could skip.
Sorry for the novel! Feel free to pm me with any other questions! Just let me know here so I can check!
my read shelf:
I totally know the feeling - I was laid off about three months ago, and am still looking for another full-time job. DH is still working on his MBA, and I'm most likely going to do a one-year MA program next year. So, I'm guessing it'll be at least another two years or so until we're ready!
It seems like a lot of nesties/bumpies chart to abstain and it works out great. Some of them have used this method for years and haven't gotten pregnant. I know three people IRL that have gotten pregnant this way though. One of them has had two babies now. I don't know how careful they were being but it has always scared me too much from using that form of BC.
Could you use condoms for the first few months until you figure out your body and until your body regulates itself from coming off BC?
I've been charting for a year and a half now and just love it. It is such a good feeling to really learn to know your body and what it is telling you. Up until this cycle, I've been TTA and it worked just fine. I'm not going to lie and tell you it is easy. I starting charting right off of the pill and it took months for my cycles to show any sort of consistency. It varies from woman to woman though so you may be one of the lucky ones that only take a month to go back to normal cycles. It also took me some time to really be comfortable with being able to identify what different CM meant. I took a class, did a ton of reading, and one day it just kind of clicked. Using Fertility Friend was a big help and there are also many forums out there where people ask questions about their charts. Looking at those and reading responses also helped in learning how to read charts.
My biggest piece of advice is not to be discourage. The avoiding days can be rough, especially when I was just learning and therefore had to do a lot of avoiding but if you give it time and don't give up, you will eventually get the hang of it. Good luck!
my read shelf:
Books read in 2011: 32 of 75
Yeah, I definitely plan on using condoms for a while! I'll probably even use condoms AFTER my schedule becomes normal, at least prior to ovulating in case I ovulate early.
From what I've read, the success of this method really depends on two things: 1. how diligent you are/how careful you're being, and 2. that you're doing FAM and not the Rhythm Method. RM doesn't really work AT ALL.