Chart tracking for newbs

[ironbaby]

Well, your chart is confusing to me because of all the extraneous data. Fertility Fried just has the one line graph, with extra information (sex, headaches, meds, etc) in a simple dot graph below.


My Ovulation Chart (for example)

I don't know what a "fertility score" is, but I am confused why it'd be high during your period.

We describe CM in 5 terms: dry, sticky, creamy, watery, and egg-white. Those are pretty descriptive terms, but most important is that egg-white is very stretchy, meaning you can spread your two fingers and it stays cohesive for over an inch.

Charts do oscillate a lot, and some are rockier than others (meaning, more peaks and valleys), but what you really are looking for is trends, not individual temps.

ETA: Sorry, I didn't realize the bottom pic was the second half of your chart, so now I understand the fertility score a bit more. That info is handled on FF in a Fertility Analyzer section below the graph that explains which fertility signs are impacting your fertility "ranking."

Also, LOL at "school glue"

[nobb14]

Take this with a grain of salt because I'm not currently temping. But, I have started using the ovia app and I love it... for me I prefer the format to FF (I used to temp and used it then) And really appreciate the visual tracking of everything from blood pressure to moods... I like that it's kind of a one stop shop for period tracking too, and is easy to reflect on data I've entered previously. I also appreciate the info it shares in the feed and the way they "rate" days in your cycle... I was never good at temping so it's super helpful to having an app read secondary signs for me. I know my opinion may not count since I'm not temping, but still wanted to add my .02!

[ironbaby]

Jun 15, 2016 8:32:38 GMT -5 @samrs22 said:

Excuse me while I go get FF put on my temps and see if it's better. Brb

Also, I found the free version of FF just fine for a long time. I wouldn't pay for VIP just yet unless you really want to. The charting function is the same on both versions; you just get more analysis tools on VIP.

[PirateCat]

When I started temping, I tried all the apps. FF, Ovia, Kindara, Clue, and maybe one other. As a person that values design, I really wanted to like anything other than FF, which IMO looks the ugliest. At the end of the day, FF gave me the most straight forward analysis of the data - a simple graph with ovulation date that makes good sense most of the time. And because majority of the people here use FF, it is easiest for everyone to decipher at a quick glance if you want others to help interpret your chart.

Identifying your CM takes a little practice. As for the temps, it is harder to see the bigger picture and identify the trend the way the cycle is split up.

[moutonrouge]

I use another app and FF, for various reasons. FF is much better at determining ovulation and fertile window. It waits the appropriate amount of time to give CH, and doesn't do that prematurely very often. This is largely because it has a larger user base, and is an older more robust app. My other app (Kindara) will give me CH on my period (only on the web version - the app actually never gives you CH and makes you mark the temp shift yourself), because it is a new app with a smaller user base. But, Kindara also has the multiple-types-of-data thing going for it (bar chart of CM with a line graph of temp overlay) similar to Ovia. FF does the same thing (pink/green/tan color boxes at the bottom) but if you are just tracking CM the nice thing about the bar chart in Kindara is you can see similar trends to a temp line on the vertical axis. FF is trying to add in multiple types of data (the new Grapher feature lets you do this with weight) but it isn't quite there yet.

I think if you're TTA, Kindara is better. It gives specific visuals to help you determine when it is safe to have unprotected sex based on peak days of CM and temp shifts. If you're TTC, FF is better. It does more to help you confirm ovulation, and gives you specific feedback about OPK and sex timing.

[joy]

FertilityFriend for lyfe.

Don't get fooled by fancy graphs or pictures - this is science and what matters is the algorithm and your inputting data. That's it. Who cares if the graph isn't pretty? You don't care what the graph looks like - you're after the data that it gives you.

Honestly, what matters most is basal body temperature and ONE secondary sign (CM or CP). That's it. Anything else you want to track is on you and really not helping build a better picture.

[PirateCat]

It's hard for me to pinpoint ovulation... how long have your cycles been in the past?

[moutonrouge]

You don't have confirmed ovulation yet. One more high temp and I'd say you might've O'd on CD20, but the missing temps, and that spike on CD19, make it difficult to interpret.

[PirateCat]

Jun 15, 2016 9:10:48 GMT -5 @samrs22 said:

I think i should cut the berry low temperature on day 20 out. I fell asleep with all my windows open and woke up freezing. Is that ok to ignore that temperature?

There is an option on FF to discard a temperature. It will still save the temp so you can un-discard it if you want. If you discard CD20, it's possible you ovulated somewhere between CD16 and CD19 where you're missing temps. See if FF gives you CHs if you discard CD20. 

I think it is generally advised not to discard temps because FF is usually pretty good about identifying outliers, but I think it would have a hard time with yours with so many temps missing so I would play around with it and see. 

Edit: numbers

[ironbaby]

@samrs22, I don't see ovulation in your chart. There isn't a sustained temp rise.

Ovulation will basically be the last day BEFORE your temp rises (sustained at least 3 days).

Fertility friend waits 3 days to give you crosshairs (indicating your O date) so they can be sure the rise is sustained.

How long have you been off BC or postpartum (sorry, I didn't stalk your history)?

[ironbaby]

Posting a pic of my chart showing crosshairs for reference:

[ironbaby]

@samrs22, it sounds like your body is still figuring things out. Charting more regularly will also help iron out the details, but it may take some time to adjust from coming off BC.

Keep in mind you can always ask for a Chart Stalk in the TWW or WTO threads if you find yourself confused down the road.

[ironbaby]

@samrs22, anecdote: I was pretty clear on our intake paperwork for the RE about what patterns I saw in my charts (ovulatory every cycle, 13-14 day LP, but wildly varying FP) and my doctor trusted that information. I brought my charts, but she didn't need to see them based on how specific I had been.

I would think in your case, verifying a short LP could be very useful.