Question re: bbt charting - no temp rise?

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant with DC#1 the first month off the pill and I did bbt charting (though not much point since I got pregnant so quickly). We're now been trying for DC#2 for a few months and I'm charting again. To help, we've been having crazy amounts of sex. Weirdly, though, my bbt didn't rise this month at all. It's Day 20 of my cycle and still no prolonged rise! I've had a typical bbt pattern each month I've charted and my total cycle is between 26-20 days, so this is odd. And very annoying since this was the month we had so much sex we would have hit the O day for sure. Does this mean I didn't ovulate? I felt the ovulation cramp on the left side this month, as expected, but then no temp rise. Also, the CM wasn't noticable either. I'm starting to worry that my cycle is somehow messed up and that I'll never get pregnant. (Yes, this may sound a little crazy as we haven't been trying for too long, but I've had several close friends struggle with infertility and their struggles weigh heavily on my mind, plus I feel some sort of karmic guilt for getting pregnant so effortlessly last time). anyone else get a little spooked by the chart?

[Anonymous]

I could have written this post last summer, and now I'm 35 weeks pregnant with #2. In hindisight, analyzing at this level was not helpful to me. The month I got pregnant (for this pregnancy), my chart didn't look particularly text-book, and I didn't have a noticeable temp rise for awhile. I am a big fan of charting, but mainly to confirm ovulation (combined with ovulation kits). After that, I think there can be lots of variability, and if you are just starting out your efforts, you may want to reassess how much of this type analysis is helpful.

Incidentally, with #1, I got pregnant almost right off the pill (at age 35), and with #2, it took 4 months. Like you, I was practically convinced I wasn't ovulating normally, but it just took a bit longer, although I know each month feels like an eternity. The reality is that if you have had one child and got pregnant quickly that time, you WILL get pregnant pretty quickly again. I know it's hard, but maybe take a breather and have sex every other day next month. I was driving myself crazy, and it sounds like you are too, and honestly I realize now that I was jumping to the worst case scenario. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

You might just be ovulating late this month. Sometimes weird things (like stress) can push it back. I would just keep temping and keep having sex until you see a sustained thermal shift. If you do not hit one in 60 days (or get your period) I would probably call your Dr. to see if he wants to jump start your period with provera. I know it is hard not to worry but it is perfectly normal for woman to have the occasionally anovulatory cycle.

[Anonymous]

Please don't feel karmic guilt. In no way is any of this your fault. It is frustrating, though, and I experienced much the same while trying to conceive. I did not have a temp rise and after some investigation it turned out I did not have sufficient progesterone the latter half of my cycle to spur the temp rise. My doctor ran blood tests to confirm ovulation and a blood test, "Day 23" test, to confirm progesterone deficiency. Prometrium did the trick for me.

And try not to worry too much at this point - I know easier said than done. But the worry can affect your cycle and it becomes a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy.