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Can I ask stupid TMI TTC questions?
I've literally written this post 5 times today and erased it before posting, because I'm feeling a little lost and confused because I hate not understanding what's going on with my body.
So... erm... AF is super late showing up (okay, so it's like 4 days late, but that's still super late for me; I've been working on a 24-28 day schedule the last couple of months and I'm up to day 32 now), but we haven't had sex at all since my last period. So, I'm wondering:
1) Is it possible to confuse implantation bleeding with my period? Everything I've read says that's usually impossible to do, but I seem to excel at messing with the impossible.
2) If I'm not pg, how do you factor irregular periods into your TTC practice?
3) How much longer do you think I should give AF to make an appearance before I go POAS? 
Re: Can I ask stupid TMI TTC questions?
Are you charting? It's entirely possible that your ovulation was just delayed by a few days, so AF might not actually be "late". How long have you been off BCP? Things can take a bit of time to regulate.
As for when to POAS, I'd probably pick up a test and try now, just for piece of mind, and then once a week or so (whatever you need for your sanity) until AF shows.
And, factoring irregular periods into TTC, charting helps with that. Things like your cervical mucus change in a predictable way as you're approaching ovulation, and then your temperature shifts after. If you want you can have my copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Even if you don't plan on charting, it's a very valuable read.
We'll just not tell H about this little fact, m'kay?
Definitely pick up TCOYF to help give you an understanding of your body, it is so helpful. I will say that I was good about temping but horrible about checking CM or anything else and OPKs didn't work for me. If you want to make sure you timing is good and don't mind a little splurge, CBEFM is awesome. DH and I had success month 2 of using it with my first BFP and the very first cycle on my second BFP. It takes all the guess work out of knowing when you ovulate.
Oh and I would pick up a test now just to see. Good luck!
I'd definitely go POAS now, just for piece of mind. But it's entirely possible that you just ovulated later than usual.
I'll agree with the others, and highly recommend reading TCOYF and charting to help you understand your cycle and pinpoint when you do O. It really takes a lot of the guesswork out.
From what I hear about implantation bleeding, it is more like spotting or a very light period, and would not last very long. It is also not overly common. I would not think you would confuse that with your period.
And don't ever worry about asking any TTC questions here!
Cecilia arrived 12 October 2012
Thanks guys! I'm on the waiting list for TCOYF from the library, so hopefully I'll get it soon.
I know last week was super stressful for me, so it doesn't surprise me that my whole system is out of wack... especially because I went off BC in August and things aren't in a rhythm yet.
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I just wanted to say I was on BC for 18 years when I went off. It took my body about 4 months to get on a regular cycle again. Glad to see you're on a waiting list for TCOYF, it is a great read, and you learn so much about your body. Also, pick up a few dollar store or internet cheapies so you have them available to POAS in times like this. It does help keep your sanity.
Good luck on TTC journey.
You've already gotten some fantastic advice. I say POAS for peace of mind and pick up TCOYF.
I temped for over a year before we even TTC and I'm really glad I did. My cycles averaged 38 days long and lasted anywhere up to 51 days. Ovulation was a ridiculous crap shoot for me (if I O'd at all). On average I O'd on CD25 which is was really frustrating because it limited our chances since my cycles were longer. Our BFP cycle, I O'd on day CD17? We ended up using OPKs since I was so wacky.
Everyone already gave you good advice, so I'm just going to say POAS just for some peace of mind. The stress of waiting for AF will only make it come even later. I remember when I wasn't on BC and going batty wondering if I was pregnant or not every month. Granted, this was before marriage, so AF was very welcomed at that point.
We charted for a month or two before TTC and nailed it on the first shot. Granted, it's a lot of luck and the fact I had read TCOYF to figure it all out ahead of time. I only temped and still did fine. We just had a long week of DTD every day. Best time of DH's life is what he tells everyone.
Ditto everyone else re TCOYF. I have a copy too if you want it.
The only thing that I didn't like about the book was that the author seemed to take forever to get to the point sometimes. I actually learned a lot just from the online tutorials on fertilityfriend.com.
With how stressed you've been lately with your course, school productions etc, I wouldn't be surprised if you just ovulated late.
Also, I think I did experience implantation bleeding but it was a really tiny pink spot, definitely nothing like a period. I doubt I would have even noticed it if I hadn't been looking for it.
Baby #2: Surprise BFP 9.19.12, EDD 5.24.13, natural m/c 10.19.13 at 9w