When is the best time to start charting my fertility?
It’s a good idea to start your first fertility chart at the beginning of your period – that is, Day 1 of your cycle. This will ensure that you get a FULL menstrual cycle charted and this can make it easier to interpret your chart.
Having said that, you CAN begin charting your fertility on ANY day of your menstrual cycle. All you need is the date that your last period started. See below for details.
I don’t want to wait until my next period comes before I start charting my fertility. Can I start charting now?
Yes, absolutely! The details on how to do this are discussed in the Step 1 Part 1 video presentation. Alternatively, please read the quick instructions below:
Paper fertility charts:
Take a new paper fertility chart and write the date that your last period started in the first box of the ‘Date’ row, at the top of the chart. This date will also sit in the first column of the chart, which corresponds to Day 1 of your cycle. If you’re not 100% sure when your last period started, a rough guess will do! Next, fill in the subsequent dates until you reach the date for which you wish to start recording data. By casting your eye vertically down to the ‘Day of cycle’ row, you will see what Day of the cycle this date corresponds to. Start recording your cervical fluid and temperature data from this day onwards.
Please check out the Step 1 Part 1 video presentation, for more detailed information.
Online charting system:
When you log in to the online charting system for the first time, you’ll be prompted to enter the date that your last period started. Once you’ve submitted this date, the system will automatically set it as Day 1 of your current cycle.
You can then start entering your data from any subsequent day of the cycle. Simply use the arrows or calendar icon at the top right corner of the screen to select the date from which you wish to start entering data and you’re ready to begin!
Please check out the Step 1 Part 1 video presentation, for more detailed information.