Book Report: Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Wechsler

Although I bought and started this book what feels like forever ago, I finally got the push to finish it and I'm glad I did. There is a lot of great information that is gone over - from basic charting lessons (basal body temp, cervical fluid, and cervix checks) to conditions that could be preventing pregnancy (stress, anovulatory cycles, and even luteal phase problems). In addition to charting and pregnancy-related issues, Toni Wechsler also discusses topics such as how to achieve a certain sex and even goes into detail about PMS.

There were other books mentioned in this one that I'm very curious about and will look into (and report back). Another great feature of this book that I liked was the picture section showing cervical fluid and cervical positions. I only wish I could find info on what a "healthy" menstrual flow looks like - especially since she mentions issues with a thin uterine lining (something I may be looking into).

The only issue I had with the book was the repetition. I felt she kept saying the same thing over and over and not in the "let me stress how important this is" manner, it was more like "I promised my editor a big, fat book and I need to meet that promise" kind of way. But this doesn't detract from the fact that there is a lot of great information in here and is something EVERY woman needs to read and practice.

My rating: **** (out of 5)

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If you're interested in charting to take control of your cycles, visit http://www.ovusoft.com/ or http://www.fertilityfriend.com/

Ovusoft is the official software of TCOYF. They have a CD ROM that only works with PCs, however they just released an online version that I've been told is good.

I, personally, use Fertility Friend and find it works great for me.

Obstacles overcome, small victory for us.

I really owe this to my friend, J.D., who pushed and pushed me to temp. Here's an update on what was floating in our minds and why I consider this a small victory:

1.) I wasn't ovulating. According to FF (so far) I have indeed ovulated and that is one step closer to baby.

2.) I was ovulating later in the cycle. This would mean I had a shorter LP - or luteal phase - and could possibly not have enough progesterone to sustain a pregnancy or not enough time to implant before my menses. This was not the case as the cycle showed I ovulated on Day 10 2 days earlier than my calendars had been telling me and earlier that I anticipated. This brings really good news as it means I have a longer LP!

3.) We weren't timing things right. I looked back at my pathetic charting from the previous months and saw we were all over the place. Sometimes we were consistent and others not so much. I felt like I had wasted time and if I had just started this process earlier, we probably would have a baby by now. Yet I also know Jesus is trying to tell us/teach us something.

I feel refreshed and ready for this. Maybe this is our cycle, maybe it isn't, but at least if we continue on we have the tools needed to carry on. Who knows, there may still be a problem, but at least we can narrow down the list using the information we've received.

:)

Fertility Awareness Method

I was introduced to this what feels like eons ago. I bought the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, I started to read it, and I religiously began charting my cycles. Then I put down the book like 1/4 of the way through and I never took the 2 extra steps needed for successful charting: temping and charting CM.

It has been almost a year of trying using the ovulating guesstimation dates, given from simply charting my cycle start and stop, and I finally decided to add in those 2 extra steps.

I started temping 3 days ago and for those of you who follow my blog and like to be kept on the up and up (this will get you REAL TIME) here is my chart for your stalking pleasure: MY FF CHART

I'm excited to see results and pinpoint exactly when I ovulate. Here's to our continuing quest for baby!