Charting to Avoid Pregnancy- Any Tips?

[jazzoboe]

So, I've lurked on these boards for a while and seen a lot of discussion about charting for those TTC. Here's my story:

DH and I are NOT ready for kids (we are 25/26, trying to pay off massive student loan debt, and I'm still looking for a decent job after finishing grad school earlier this year. Plus we just really don't feel ready to change our lifestyle yet). We don't plan to try for at least another 3 years, and there is still the possibility that we may decide not to have kids at all.

I've been on the pill for a little over 5 years now, and haven't had any major issues, but after discussing a few concerns with my GYN (weight gain, moods, fatigue, low sex drive) she suggested I go off birth control for a few months to see if that might be a culprit. She advised us to use condoms and assured me that when used properly and consistently, the are very effective. I don't doubt that, but the idea still makes me nervous because an "oops" baby right now would be... really tough to say the least. We'd make it work, but it would be a stretch.

I'm thinking that if we are going to give this a shot, it's probably in my interest to track my cycles once I'm off the pill. It would make me feel a lot more comfortable if I could keep track of my most fertile days so we could avoid then. I'm a little concerned, though, because before I started the pill I had severe cramps and long, irregular cycles (anywhere from 35-70ish days?). I worry that if my cycle goes wonky like that again it will be very hard to predict when I'm actually going to ovulate.

So my question is, does anyone have experience with charting to avoid pregnancy, or charting with irregular cycles, and do you have any particular advice? Reading TCOYF is already on my to do list, and I know a bit about bbt's and fertility friend... anything else I'm missing?

 

[ruby59]

From whaat I have always understood, charting only works if you are extremely regular.

One suggestion - the first response tests that predict your most fertile days for those trying to conceive. You could use it in reverse to predict the days you need to avoid.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Ask the mod to move this thread to the family home and health section and many ladies there will probably weigh-in. There is a huge depth of knowledge re charting (both to get pregnant and to not...)

For starters, I would recommend reading the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

 

[momhappy]

If you are not prepared to deal with an accidental pregnancy, I would not rely on charting as a form of BC.

 

[Enerchi]

If you are not prepared to deal with an accidental pregnancy, I would not rely on charting as a form of BC.

+ 1 bajillion to this.

I spent 25 years in sexual and reproductive health nursing, before moving to the job I'm in now 4+ years ago, and in all those years, the medical direction was to NEVER use charting and condoms only as a method to prevent pregnancy. Its more like - "its a great way to have an 'oops' baby". The low dose birth control pills are low enough, compared to the invention of the pill in the '60's, that you could safely remain on them until you want to go thru menopause...so, I'd be VEEEERRRRRYYYY careful if you are going to just rely on closely monitoring your fertility, plus condoms. If the condom isn't put on properly, it slips off, it breaks, if it rips on withdrawal post coitus, if you think "oh, we'll be ok just this once..." I must point out ... it only takes *1* sperm to change your life!

Have you considered alternatives to the BCP and discussed them w your doctor? IUD (if your dr says its an option for you), diaphragm + condoms, depo provera injections, the patch, the nuva ring....? (rhetorical question - no need to answer here!)

If you don't think you are ready now and you aren't sure if you are going to consider children in the future, I'd *seriously* rethink fertility awareness and consider some other options.

 

[amc80]

Definitely get this moved over to the Family Home and Health section. There are a lot of charters over there.

For starters, I do think it can be a very effective form of birth control. Even if your cycles aren't normal. The point of charting is to pinpoint ovulation. If you know what day you ovulate, you can know when you need to be careful (use backup methods) versus not having to worry about it. Generally, once ovulation is confirmed (3 days after ovulation) you are good to go until your next cycle. The first half (up until ovulation) is a bit more tricky unless you are more regular. But definitely possible, especially if you use something like fertility awareness method along with temping.

Definitely get the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility (we all call it TCOYF). It will tell you pretty much everything you need to know.

 

[iLander]

DON'T DO IT!

I've done it exactly twice.

I have exactly two children.

And I'm regular as clockwork.

Enough said.

Buy the sponge, or condoms, or do pretty much ANYTHING else.

It's the Catholic "birth control" method of choice, and there is no shortage of Catholics in this world.

 

[katharath]

I've successfully used this form of BC twice; one full year, two separate times (so two years total).

Both times were times that DH and I knew we didn't "want" a baby at that point; but we also knew that an accidental baby would have been "okay". I was vigilant about charting, and I am VERY regular. I would not recommend this method to anyone who isn't regular, and to anyone who wouldn't be ok with an "accident"

I can tell you that I was completely successful and did not get pregnant while doing this; and with both of my sons (I have two children), after we started trying I was pregnant within 3-4 weeks. So I'm quite confident that I was doing it right (the charting - but I guess the baby making too )

I have used the pill off and on for many years and while I do like it, and have found it to be a great choice for me, I will say that the times I've gone off of it I have noticed an increase in sexual appetite. That's the only negative aspect of the pill for me, and it's not nearly bad enough for me to consider switching to a more invasive form of BC (i.e. IUD), or a less reliable one (charting). I definitely would never again use charting at this point in my life, even though it was effective for me. I just cannot handle an oops! Too happy with my current BC and family situation.

 

[amc80]

DON'T DO IT!

I've done it exactly twice.

I have exactly two children.

And I'm regular as clockwork.

Enough said.

Buy the sponge, or condoms, or do pretty much ANYTHING else.

It's the Catholic "birth control" method of choice, and there is no shortage of Catholics in this world.

Were you temping? Or just using a calendar?

 

[jazzoboe]

Just to be clear, I am planning to use condoms religiously, not rely on charting as a method of birth control. I just figured that since condoms-only still makes me a little nervous, it would be a good extra to be able to figure out when we should still be avoiding, but if my periods are irregular I'm worried I may not be able to figure it out until after I've ovulated anyway, which doesn't do me a lot of good unless we want to take about 2 weeks a month off... which we don't.

Anyway, I seem to be getting mixed reactions here so far. I do plan to talk to my doctor about other birth control options as well, but for now she really wants me to try getting off hormonal birth control all together at least for a while so we can rule that out as a possible cause of some symptoms. FWIW, I was taking Loestrin, which I understand to be a fairly low-dose pill, but something like an IUD would theoretically be even lower-hormone, especially since it's localized.

 

[aviastar]

Just like condoms, or the pill, charting is only going to be as effective as you are good about doing it. Pills aren't effective if you forget to take them and charting isn't effective if you half ass it. Since you have been successful with BCP, I assume you have the ability/ desire to be good about charting.

That said, it does take a few months of data to see the patterns and the various pieces tell you different things. Temping only tells you after you ovulate, which is not much help if you are TTA, except to tell you you are safe form that point on. Tracking CM is a good indication of upcoming ovulation, but you can gear up to O and then not, so it's not definitive by itself either. OPKs also give you the heads up in advance.

If I were 1) trying to start establishing patterns and 2) trying to avoid after coming off the pill I would do all three: OPKs, track CM, and temp. And I understood your original post to mean you would use condoms 100% of the time, but track in addition to condoms so you could avoid entirely for the few days surrounding O. I would do that, too, so that the tracking is essentially your second method of BC; at least for the first few months while you figure out your cycle. Some people have such clear indications of ovulation- clear skin, o pains, perfect textbook CM- it's a snap for them to either target or avoid, but some women don't and that's trickier.

I have several friends charting to avoid very successfully. Oops babies happen- my sister has had two while on hormonal BC and I know at least three IUD babies as well. I happen to be charting to conceive, but I will never go back on hormonal BC after this. I lost ten pounds, my libido increased, and I was just happier as soon as I quit the pill and I've tried them all- low dose, estrogen vs. progesterone, the ring.

 

[amc80]

Jazz, DH and I have used pullout and charting exclusively since we've been together. There were two months when we were using charting to get pregnant and I got pregnant both times. My cycles are regular and range from 27-35 days. After months of charting I learned to see signs as to when ovulation was happening. So once those happened I knew to be extra careful. If you go so far as to check your cervical position that can help a lot too. Take a look at the book we recommended, it is really helpful. Oh, and 3-4 of my friends have charted for years and never got pregnant until they were trying. It can work.

 

[iLander]

DON'T DO IT!

I've done it exactly twice.

I have exactly two children.

And I'm regular as clockwork.

Enough said.

Buy the sponge, or condoms, or do pretty much ANYTHING else.

It's the Catholic "birth control" method of choice, and there is no shortage of Catholics in this world.

Were you temping? Or just using a calendar?

Charting. After the second time I learned that some sperm can live for up to 48 hours in the uterus. Now you tell me.

Don't get me wrong, both children are wonderful blessings, but the calendar system failed for me. In my day, we didn't really know much about temperature.

 

[amc80]

DON'T DO IT!

I've done it exactly twice.

I have exactly two children.

And I'm regular as clockwork.

Enough said.

Buy the sponge, or condoms, or do pretty much ANYTHING else.

It's the Catholic "birth control" method of choice, and there is no shortage of Catholics in this world.

Were you temping? Or just using a calendar?

Charting. After the second time I learned that some sperm can live for up to 48 hours in the uterus. Now you tell me.

Don't get me wrong, both children are wonderful blessings, but the calendar system failed for me. In my day, we didn't really know much about temperature.

Ah, I see. Yeah the calendar "method" is completely different and only works if you have a completely regular cycle. And sperm can actually live up for 5 days under the right conditions

 

[Enerchi]

And sperm can actually live up for 5 days under the right conditions

Actually, sperm can live approximately 5 days (+/-) in the uterus post ejaculation, so keep that in mind!

 

[April20]

I've been charting to avoid for five years.

Here's the deal.

You HAVE to be committed. You CANNOT skip temps. Pick a wake-up/temp time that you know you can do. Use protection unil you've absolutely confirmed ovulation. After that you're good to go. BUT, if you're coming off the pill, your cycles can be wonky for a bit. I would recommend using protection your entire cycle for a first few cycles to make sure you're accurately temping and recording when your ovulation date is. Once you know what your post-O temps look like and roughly how your cycles are, you can skip protection after you ovulate. I HIGHLY recommend you know what your body is doing before you do this, however. After five years, I have it pretty down pat and know how things go. I haven't had a scare yet.


ETA: also, take note of things that can cause temp spikes that have nothing to do with ovulation. for example, red wine ALWAYS spikes my temp. I try to avoid it pre-O so that i don't mess with my chart.

 

[tammy77]

What about a diaphragm and spermicide? I used one after I had my second baby with no problems. They're cumbersome to insert, but can be spontaneous compared to condoms and are pretty effective. Personally, if I were in that situation and REALLY didn't want to become pregnant for a while, I would choose an IUD or diaphragm/spermicide combo. Condoms break, slip off, etc. way too often for me to be comfortable with them.

Charting to avoid, yeah tried that too. It resulted in my first DD. I can't really fault charting as much as my own idiocy. I read the TCOYF book incorrectly. Then I charted for 16 months while TTC 10 years later without success on our own. So maybe I'm just a charting flunky!!

 

[ponderer]

DON'T DO IT!

I've done it exactly twice.

I have exactly two children.

And I'm regular as clockwork.

Enough said.

Buy the sponge, or condoms, or do pretty much ANYTHING else.

It's the Catholic "birth control" method of choice, and there is no shortage of Catholics in this world.

Were you temping? Or just using a calendar?

Charting. After the second time I learned that some sperm can live for up to 48 hours in the uterus. Now you tell me.

Don't get me wrong, both children are wonderful blessings, but the calendar system failed for me. In my day, we didn't really know much about temperature.

Ah, I see. Yeah the calendar "method" is completely different and only works if you have a completely regular cycle. And sperm can actually live up for 5 days under the right conditions

In my case it was specifically 7 days, I had no temp/mucous change and I ovulated a week later. Thank goodness DH and I were discussing #3 or it would have been an even bigger surprise than it was.

 

[amc80]

Actually, sperm can live approximately 5 days (+/-) in the uterus post ejaculation, so keep that in mind!

Ha isn't that what I said?

 

[Enerchi]

Actually, sperm can live approximately 5 days (+/-) in the uterus post ejaculation, so keep that in mind!

Ha isn't that what I said?

Yup... In my head... I totally saw another number... you were right and I was wrong (won't hear me saying *THAT* At home too often! ) --- DAMN old eyes!! I should be charting my mistakes on PS!! LOL!!! Sorry amc80 - I totally saw "3" not "5"!!

Carry on...

 

[amc80]

Yup... In my head... I totally saw another number... you were right and I was wrong (won't hear me saying *THAT* At home too often! ) --- DAMN old eyes!! I should be charting my mistakes on PS!! LOL!!! Sorry amc80 - I totally saw "3" not "5"!!

Carry on...

Haha whew. Thought I was going crazy

 

[jazzoboe]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies.

Just an update--I am now planning to stay on my birth control, at least for a while. This week I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which could very well have been causing most, if not all, of the symptoms I had been blaming on the pill. So, I just got started on my thyroid meds today, and I have been doing a lot of research that leads me to believe it will likely be months, if not a year or more, before I get the dosing and everything figured out and really start feeling better. I don't want to mess with too many things at once and never know what the really culprit was, so until the thyroid gets fairly well stabilized, I'll stick to my pill. It's been 100% effective for me so far anyway!

So thanks, again. I have already searched the forum for threads regarding hypothyroidism, but if anyone had more recent thoughts or experiences, feel free to share them with me!

 

[mlk]

Hi jazzoboe I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in jan last year. I went to the dr primarily due to hair loss and wanted everything checked out because we wanted to start to ttc. My symptoms were weight gain, hair loss and fatigue. My tsh was around 5 or 6 so not that high and my endocrinologist did not feel that my symptoms were caused by a tsh of that level although my t4 was a little on the low side. However as I was about to ttc he put me on meds as untreated hypothyroidism can cause problems to a fetus. I was also told I could not try to get pregnant until my levels were sorted. My tsh took 6 weeks to get to a level the endo was happy with (between 1 and 2). What I have since discovered is that I feel much better when my tsh is on the very low side (like 0.1) and my t4 is between 18 and 20. The last time I was checked post partum earlier this year my tsh was around 1.5 and t4 14 and I am not feeling as good now. The right tsh and t4 level I feel varies from person to person. If you have any more questions I'd be happy to share what I know.

 

[jazzoboe]

hey mlk-

Can I ask what meds you're taking? I've been doing a lot of reading, and it sounds like people taking armour feel better when their TSH gets quite low, like <1 or even under the normal ranges where their doctors would worry about them getting hyperthyroid. Also, there seems to be a lot of discussion regarding T4-only meds like synthroid (or the generics like levothyroxine, which is what I am on now) versus naturally desiccated thyroid, like armour. For now I am trying to be patient with everything. I'm still kind of doctor-shopping, because I went to see my pcp last week after I got my lab results (mostly because I wanted to hurry up and start treatment, and figured if I tried to find a specialist right away it might be a few weeks before I could actually she him/her), and she seemed slightly less knowledgeable about hypothyroidism than I was after 2 days of internet research . Plus, after leaving me waiting for a full hour, she barely looked up from her computer to really talk to me in the barely 5 minutes she was in the room.

So I have a couple of doctors in the area I have found who seem to know a lot more about thyroid conditions and take a much broader approach to treating (testing T3 and T4 levels rather than relying only on TSH, prescribing T3 meds and natural meds, listening to patients about symptoms rather than just relying on the numbers), so I think I will be giving them a call in a few weeks when I'm ready to have my levels checked again. My current doctor told me to come in again in 3 months... but everything I have read said levels should be monitored every 4-6 weeks to start with. I guess for now I will give my meds a month or so to get into my system, but then I'll try to set up an appointment with a new doctor whether I am feeling any better or not. Also, it sounds like a lot of people start feeling worse before they feel better when they start meds or change dosage. So, looking forward to that Only on day 3 of meds now though, and the only thing I've noticed is being a bit itchy.

 

[mlk]

I am in Australia so I'm guessing things are a little different here, I did ask my endo about armour but he totally dismissed its availability here so I am only on thyroxine. You are right my endo only tests tsh and t4 not t3 but my go tests t3 so every now and then I see what level that is at. For me I definitely feel better with a lower tsh and higher t4 but that could have something to do with the fact I was pregnant when my levels were so low

 

[jazzoboe]

Well, I'm glad your doing well on your T4-only meds (I'm guessing it's synthroid, or the equivalent) and that your doctor helps get you on a dose where your levels are low enough for you to feel good. I keep reading things about how people just never feel good without a T3 med added, or else their doctors refuse to increase their dosage once they're in the "acceptable" range, no matter how their symptoms are doing. I'm sure there must be a lot more success stories out there, but people doing fine probably don't think to come online and write about it! I think I'm coming down with some sort of bug right now--got a sore throat and sneezy/runny nose--so I have no idea if it's my meds that have been making me extra tired the past day or so, or just getting sick. I was down almost 2 pounds this morning from a couple days ago, though, so I'm thinking I dropped a little water weight. No complaints there.

 

[amc80]

If you don't mind my asking, what were your TSH levels to determine you needed medication? I had mine tested a few years ago and it was around 6 (maybe 5.6? That number sounds familiar.). My GP thought it was fine and there wasn't a need for more testing.

 

[amc80]

If you don't mind my asking, what were your TSH levels to determine you needed medication? I had mine tested a few years ago and it was around 6 (maybe 5.6? That number sounds familiar.). My GP thought it was fine and there wasn't a need for more testing.

Wrong. I found an old post on another forum that said it was 3.6 a year prior, and that I was getting it rechecked the following week. I bet I have the lab results at home.

 

[jazzoboe]

I don't mind at all. Don't remember exactly, but it was 9.something. From my research, it seems like a lot of doctors wont consider treating you unless you are above 4 or 5, and some even consider 5-10 "borderline," but really people seem to feel best and be symptom free when it's considerably lower. Just for the sake of argument, I had fairly significant weight gain (that was not coming off with big changes to diet and exercise) as well as fatigue, moodiness, muscle weakness, little appetite and some joint pain, among other things, so all signs point to needing to get this thyroid in order.