When do you count day 1 of AF?

can someone help me please when exactly do you count day 1 of your AF?  I started spotting brown to light red last night about 9pm so i used a tampon.  When i changed it this morning it only had a small amount on it.  Today i have no cramping and when i wipe it's brown spotting again.  i normally get this for around 2-3days before the heavy flows but when exactly do you count it?  is it from the day of spotting or is it from the day of heavy bleeding?

[smjmekg]

I've read that you count day one as the first day of bleeding. It didn't specify heavy or light it just said bleeding, so I would count yesterday as day one.

[gillianl]

thanks smjmekg i really think my cycle is still a bit mixed up it's getting longer between months and i've lost track of when i'm ovulating.  going to start the OPK's again this month just to see what happens

[Grandmatobe]

If all you have seen so far is some brown spotting, that could be implantation bleeding.  Have you tried taking a test, just in case???

[nickieb85]

I read that you are not supposed to count spotting but with all the information out there who know!

[gillianl]

Thanks ladies, however i been to the loo all day today and the brown spotting has stopped i had it once this morning when i wiped and have had nothing since no cramps nothing.  I had spotting on the 16th April for 2days with a heavier flow on the 18th April.  This is why i though i was due af on the 16th May but was holding out until today just incase from the 16th April i am now on CD31 for the 18th April i'm now on CD33 i have never had a cycle this long usually between 28 and 30days.

What do you think do i still have a chance this month or am i hoping for a miracle?

[Olive13]

The first day of red blood flow is considered Day 1 of your cycle, so I wouldn't count the spotting (just record the spotting under Day 33 of your current cycle for future reference).

I am kind of in the same situation this month -- My cycles are always between 26-29 days and I just started very very light spotting late yesterday and today is Day 31.   HPT was negative though, so I am trying not to get my hopes up.  Fingers crossed for us both -- keep us posted!

[gillianl]

Thanks very much i've got my fingers crossed also but not building my hopes up this has happened to me before and i've gotten af the next day after asking questions on it but this is just a little to long for me.

[Grandmatobe]

Have you considered testing?  The tests should pick up elevated HCG by now.

[Olive13]

AF showed up, so no more guessing for me this month.  :(

[gillianl]

I'm sorry to hear about your BFN af has still not started for me yet but i'm not building my hopes up that i'm pregnant think she might show up today