Nfp people: postpartum question?

[smores]

Hi!

I’m on my third cycle after giving birth 18 months ago. Cycles returned three months ago. I used to rely on basal body temp to determine my ovulation. Now that I’m “older” I wanted more info about my cycle, as I’m sure as time goes on it will become more irregular. So, we invested in the ovacue. I’ve almost reached the end of my cycle using ovacue the first time. I’m disappointed, apparently I’m going to need many more cycles using it before it becomes a good tool for me.

Anyway, I’ve continued to keep track of my temps, I had a pretty obvious rise that has held steady, but I’m feeling so nervous! I’m wondering at what point post partum did you begin to feel comfortable knowing your cycle again? Is my third cycle enough to trust that a temp rise that holds steady is an indication that ovulation has passed?

P.S. I don’t wish to turn this into a debate about natural family planning. I just want to discuss with other nfp users who can share their experiences with me, thanks!!

 

[underacloud]

A temp rise that holds is generally a reliable sign of ovulation (baring illness) regardless of cycle regularity.

Your issue won’t be detecting ovulation, but predicting it. That is always the greatest challenge post-partum and for generally irregular cycles. You’ll need to find a system that works for you, in terms of your signs (eg mucus, cervical position). I’d didn’t know people used ovacue for NFP to avoid though. Some devices that are used to predict ovulation for possible conception are not necessarily suitable to use for avoidance, but I’m not sure about this one.

 

[HOPE1980]

If you are interested in obtaining more information using NFP, have your considered another method of NFP?

 

[Xantippe]

underacloud said:

“A temp rise that holds is generally a reliable sign of ovulation (baring illness) regardless of cycle regularity. Your issue won’t be detecting ovulation, but predicting it. That is always the greatest challenge post-partum and for generally irregular cycles.”

Yes!

A sustained temperature rise is really the gold standard for being sure that ovulation has happened and you have entered an infertile phase. It’s the pre-ovulatory phase that is tricky.