Hello! Posting my FF BBT chart after finding out I am pregnant (about 4 weeks 6 days). I searched for these when I was TTC with irregular periods. This is a bit long but hoping this can help my other first time TTC with long periods girls.

My TTC story - since coming off BC last July my cycles have been all over. Most recently had a 51 day cycle, followed by a 29, then was going on another 50 when we conceived. I thought I had ovulated around cycle day 20-21 as my temps were rising (use Ava bracelet to track). I had gotten flashing smilies followed by a peak on the Clearblue digital but no positives on the Pregmate LH strips. I was a little discouraged as we had possibly missed our chance. I had already scheduled an appt with my Gyno on Tuesday the 19th. She checked me out and got me scheduled for an pelvic ultrasound. She said to ditch the LH strips as they were probably causing more stress and have sex 1-2 days during my cycle. A) I’m a very type A person and don’t follow directions well, and having such long periods, the LH strips would be my only clue for ovulation and B) I love my husband and our sex is awesome but baby dancing so much for weeks (literally I would have to if it was another 50 day) sounded exhausting. When my temps dropped and stayed down I did an LH strip on a whim in CD 30. Glad I didn’t follow directions as it came back a blazing positive (I had never gotten one, come to find out always missed it using the digital)! We BD the next three days and my test stayed blazing positive. Did another tango or two for good measure while tracking my temps for the temp rise.

Went and got my Ultrasound on February 2nd, uterus is normal but I have too many follicles on both my ovaries. Gyno ruled out PCOS as I didn’t have the cysts or other indicators. I was discouraged but told I would still be able to conceive. The next day I took an early pregnancy test, negative. Thursday I had some light spotting, only when I wiped. It was light pink/brownish but looked like it had some clots so I figured it was AF about to come as my app said I was due to start in 2 days. Friday morning I had all my tell tell AF is about to be here signs including my awful back cramps. The past couple months of TTC I haven’t been drinking too much, just on the weekends casually. Knowing AF was coming I enjoyed some beverages that Friday evening. The next morning I woke up expecting AF and nothing. I wasn’t feeling great (thanks to the drinking) and did a test that came with my OPK kit. It wasn’t an early detection but as I was brushing my teeth I saw the faintest line, almost an indent. I thought it was a fluke so I went and grabbed my early detection Pink First Response ones (conveniently delivered by Amazon the night before and then tipsily/angrily tossed into my guest room exclaiming to my husband we wouldn’t need them for another 50 days). The positive line blazed so quickly I was in shock and both my husband and I are elated!

Takeaways for my fellow long cycle gals:

1) I was using the CB Digital as it was def easier to read but looking back now from tracking it and my temps, it was never accurate for me. Did some research and discovered they aren’t the best for long periods unless you have a pretty good idea when you typically ovulate - clearly I didn’t!

2) Use the LH strips! They may be harder to read than the digital but you will know when it is positive or close - I liked the prgmate brand on Amazon, a lot of folks rave about the At Home ones too. I only started using these recently, relying on the Digital OPK and this was much more accurate. I know it can get stressful and even a bit annoying having to do these tests twice a day, you’ve got this. If you feel comfortable enough, try tracking your CM as well.

3) I know everyone says don’t stress, it will happen when it happens. It can be hard to hear this so casually as if you are causing this not happen. I felt so many emotions as others were getting pregnant around me so easily, mainly, is something wrong with me? I felt joy of course for my friends but sadness as well for my journey. Sometimes you just wish someone would say it SUCKS every cycle getting hopeful only for another negative test. Hang in there! You can do this, and if you need someone to vent to, I’m here.

That was quite a long post but really hoping it can help someone who is just starting this process or has been dealing with irregular cycles!