LOTS OF CM- NEG OPK...When does Luteal Phase start?

Hey Ladies...

Although I've researched a lot on ttc, I'm having a brain disconnect & need some help. ;o) Does a nice amount of cm (not real clear, but has the egg yolk stretch effect) mean you are actually ovulating or about to ovulate? The OPK is reading neg on CD12.

I've read in the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility", if you experience wetness (damp) on a panty liner or cm becomes long, clear & stretchy, that's a "sign" that you are about to ovulate.  I know the 3 phases of cm monitoring are tacky-lotiony-stretchy(like egg whites). Do you actually ov when the stretch is there or are you about to in 24-48 hrs?

Once you see the positive on the OPK, does it count  as day one for your luteal phase? If not, when do you start the count for your Luteal Phase?

Thanks Ladies for all your help.

[Nia528]

Hi!! I believe you luteal phase starts after you actually o. If tracking your BBT after you O you temp will go up and that is your luteal phase and your temps should stay up for about 12 to 14 days then your period starts after your temps drop back down. And this is the end of your luteal phase. But if you happen to be pregnant your temps will stay up. The day of my pos opk is the day I usually o but you could o any time usually within 24hrs so you could count it as day 1 of your phase. I hope this helped.  The cervical mucus thing i believe when egg like means your body is getting ready to o and that is your fertile time before o.

[bam1014]

Yes, I believe that TCOYF states that EWCM is your body ramping up to O.  It's going to keep the swimmers where they need to be until the egg drops.  On the cycles that I do get EWCM (which is rare for me) I'll get a + OPK 1-2 days after.  The day after my + OPK is when I O.  Typically you will O 12-36 hours after a + OPK (and that's when my RE said to get BUSY!).

If you use the O Tracker on this site, I believe it will set your O date as the day after the + OPK.

[Savanha]

Nia/Bam,

Thanks ladies for your very helpful input. In reviewing what I have found, the EWCM is a sign that the body is about to ov. I've tempted before & do note the raise in my temp. I wasn't as sure about "after" the OPK. I will go with the 12-36 hrs. deal, but most of the bx. inst. say 12-48.

Bam...I REALLY appreciate that extra bit of info you shared from your RE. ;o) It's good to know that is the time to really have a "Personal" party. ;o)

I'm still waiting on the +OPK to show up...still faint line...tomorrow is CD15, so we will see. I've gone as late as CD17, but am hopeful that CD15 will be D-day.

Thanks again...SSBD to you,

--Savanha

[Helen72]

I think LP starts after you O.  As for CM it's a good sign that O is on its way.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!

[Savanha]

Hey Helen...

Thank you. I'm still trying to understand if that (ov according to the opk's) is after I see the 2 solid lines...the next day is Lp. I'm trying to make sure all this is on point, because I'm going to start using the topical progestrone cream. I think I'll use it the day after I see the 2 dark lines.

Last night heavy cramping mid-left...lots. I tested & the line is darker, but still not exact. I'm going to get the smiley sticks to be sure. ;o)

[Helen72]

You should start using progesterone after you O.  I would wait for your BBT to rise before using it.  Typically people O 24-48 hours after the first LH surge was detected.  For example, IUI is scheduled about 36 hours after the surge (i.e. the shot).  

[Savanha]

Good pt. w/IUI 36 hrs. after trigger. I haven't been tracking temp, so I'm not sure if I keep tested the stick to see if color lightens, but that is all I have unless I get the smileys. What do you think?

[Heather5]

I agree with Helen. Most women ovulate the day after the positive OPK. So the day after the two lines would be ovulation day, and then the luteal phase would start the day after that again (two days after the positive OPK). Of course some women ovulate a bit earlier or a bit later (like the same day as the OPK or as late as 48 hours after), but your BBT will tell you for sure.

If I were you, I would probably wait a couple of extra days before starting the progesterone. You want to make sure you ovulated before then or it can actually hinder ovulation. With BBT, they usually like to see three high temperatures (to confirm O) before starting progesterone.

Best of luck this month!!!

[Savanha]

Thank you Heather...I'll wait the 2 days to be sure. So, once I get the + (this will be day one) then wait one more day, so use the cream the following day.

I think I may have a super short LP, because I start getting pms syms shortly after I ov. I think I ov anywhere from CD15-17, then start pms syms on CD20.

I get pms really bad and have heard the cream may help, which I'm definitely willing to try as well as lengthen my LP.

Thanks so much ladies...I truly appreciate the knowlege.


--Savanha

[Helen72]

Sounds like you may have LP defect.  You should talk to your ob about that.  It can be easily corrected.

[Heather5]

I would probably wait a couple of days after expected ovulation (not after positive OPK), so about three days after positive OPK or so...just to make sure.

So it would be:

• Positive OPK
• Ovulation Day
• 1dpo
• 2 dpo (start progesterone here...or even the following day)

As for your luteal phase, how many days after ovulation do you actually start your period? Your luteal phase should be at least 10 days (preferably 12 or more). The progesterone cream could help increase the length, but like Helen said, if you do have a luteal phase defect, I'm sure your doctor would give you a prescription supplement instead.

[Savanha]

I think my LP is anywhere from 9-12/13 days. I'm wondering since I've had plenty of RE treatment why they didn't find this (LP defect). I've always tried to explain that I thought I had a short LP, but now I'm going to make it a point to tell them I think I may have a LP defect so that it can be tested properly. I'm going to make sure I track this timeframe very clearly. So, I'm going to count from the + to when I start, which should give me some idea of my actual LP. Thanks ladies.

--Savanha