EWCM Question/Don't want to do OPK's

I'm trying really hard not to do too many types of tests, cause God knows I'm a POAS adddict of the HPT variety, so I figure the fewer tests I do the better. So, here's my question about EWCM. I had some medium-sized globs (sorry!) of snotty-like (double-sorry!) CM the last couple of days. I thought it might be good O CM and we BD'ed those 2 nights. Now, tonight I have nice and stretchy EWCM, so am I Oing NOW??? I guess we should BD just in case. This is very confusing and I don't really trust OPK's. They never seem to work for me and other women have said they've had problems with them, too. If I know approximately when my next AF is due, should I count back 14 days to see when I O??

Any input is welcome!!!!!!!

~Sue

[Helen72]

Stretchy EWCM is a good sign of ovulation.  If OPK's don't work for you I would also track BBT just in case.  Counting 14 days backward may not be optimal since everything depends on the length of your cycle and the length of your LP which you only know when you figure out when you O.  I typically ovulate before cd14 with a 28 day cycle.  So, I would not rely on that.  
Best of luck to you this month!!!!!

[SueGre]

Thanks, Helen. I don't know if you can answer this. My cycle length before my D&E was always 28-29 days and I O'ed on cd11 or 12. My cycle is now 31 days. So, the question is, would I still O on the same cd regardless of the change in my cycle length? In other words, do I still O on cd11 or 12 even though my cycle is now longer?

~Sue

[sam75]

my cm looks like snot too. i was wondering also. lol goodluck.

[empty]

Hi Sue

I have this same problem. I get EWCM and then a week later i get more EWCM. So this month i have decided to BD as often as i can right up to a week before A/F. I usually have 31 day cycles butthe past 2 months they have been 36 to 38 days. Very annoying. I just ordered OPKS due to this reason. Apparently you O 2 weeks before A/F is due even if the length of your cycle moves. But i am not an expert at this ....still awaiting my BFP!

[SueGre]

Hey Tina! (aka "The Expert") Can you possibly answer our O questions?

~Sue

[babyalive]

All the recent studies and research suggest that OPK's are the most reliable forms tracking when you o.  I would do all three, bbt, opk and cm.   I think if you rely on just one method you are chancing missing your o.  I know the smiley face OPK's are expensive but if you figure the cost of fertility treatments each month and what you'll save by not having to do them next month because you caught the egg out of the gate, the investment seems worth it.   However, with that being said - SueGre if you're ttc au natural, well just make sure you bed every other day this month and you've got it covered regardless.  Sort of what Empty is trying.  I'm sure dh won't have any complaints about it.  (-:

[SueGre]

Thanks for your ideas. I think Bding every other day for the whole month is too much. I think Bd'ing every day or so around the week of O would be enough. This is not to say we won't BD other times of the month! And, yes, my DH will be very happy!!!

So, I just went to the bathroom and had a ton of fluid mixed with orangish blood. I think the color was orange because it was mixed with so much fluid. What's up with that? Could this be O bleeding? I think I remember some O bleeding last month. I think I really need to see my GYN.

Any thoughts?

[ashort]

Ohhhhh slight bleeding is also a sign of o.  If I was you I would bd today.  I just o'ed on Friday.  I think you and I are on about the same cycles.  I remember that from last month.  Good luck!  How are your temps?  I used OPK's this month...smileys...they worked for me.  I got a positive OPK on Fri morning and I started having o cramps around one. My temps went up yesterday so I know I o'ed on Friday!

[Helen72]

I read that the length of your cycle may vary but not the length of your LP.  So, if your LP before was about 14 days you should count 14 days from the date AF is due for an estimate.  This is not a very reliable sign though.  If you feel O pain or have light spotting around O that shuld be a better guide.
Welcome to 2ww!!!

[SueGre]

I thought LP is the time after O before AF. I used to O on cd11. Aren't CD and LP different?

[Heather5]

Hi SueGre! You're right the luteal phase (LP) is after O. Helen is right too, though :-) Normally if your cycle length changes, it's because your follicular phase (before O) changes. Your luteal phase will almost always stay the same (give or take a day or so). So in your case, if you used to ovulate on CD 11 in a 28-day cycle, you'll probably ovulate around CD 14 in a 31-day cycle. Hope that makes sense :-)

[tina1111]

Hi Sue!

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier. I hear you on the bd every other day being too much these days. When it is "go time" Tim and I hit every day to be sure. Plus, at our age, every day is recommended so we have "fresh swimmers" ready and waiting. Our eggs don't live near as long as the younger group.

EWCM can be a funny thing and is only about 30% reliable in itself. When combined with other detection i.e. bbt, opk, ferning, etc. The % goes up dramatically.  Since my d&c, I too have not been regular with my cycles and it is maddening.

With EWCM, it's kind of like temping. Hindsight is 20/20. You can still get it after o, too. Once cm turns sticky and dry, chances are o has occurred. The day of o, cm turns watery. It is thick just b4 o, to nourish the sperm and keep them alive. The day of o, it turns watery and opens little channels to allow the sperm to swim freely to the tubes. EWCM is a very good sign that o is near, at any rate.

I'm crossing everything for you!!!!!

[SueGre]

Thanks, Tina, that was very helpful. You're the best.

Hugs,
S