Question About Cycle

Sometimes I have spotting in between my period and I do not count those days, but it never comes the day before my period. The first day of my period is usually the second day I feel cramps and it comes full force. If it happens every month I would say just be consistent. So if you are going to count the spotting days make sure you do it every time so you can track accurately. Something that has helped us is LadyComp. I found it online at wwww.naturalmethods.com. THey also have one called BabyComp. It is a little alarm clock that tracks your cycle for you. You take your temperature when you wake up every day. It gets to know your cycle and tells you when you are fertile. It has worked great for us. We got LadyComp because it was less expensive. It works for 5 years though and is less expensive than birth control and more natural. BabyComp has extra features for planning a baby. We have one son who is 2 1/2. We have been using LadyComp for 5 years now. We got pregnant the first month. We weren't really trying but we cheated on a day that it said possibly fertile :) You can also send in the results so your doctor can look at it if there are problems. It will tell you if you did not ovulate that month. The main thing is to be consistent.
Best Wishes!
S.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/ObGyn-Pregnancy-issues-1007/fi...

This source says that the first day of "any" bleeding or spotting should be counted as the first day of your cycle.

The first day of your period is the first day you have a normal bleeding, so spotting doesn't count. Go to babycenter.com & click on Ovulation Calculator & you'll see when your most fertile days & days you ovulate. Good look on TTC

Angie,

My husband and I have always used Natural Family Planning methods. The first one we used was the basal temperature one where you take your temeperature the same time every morning and record it starting with the FIRST day of your period, and yes, that meant any sign of bleeding.

Since our little boy was born we've switched to the Creighton-Family model plan that has you checking for your mucus and lubrication signs. This one I actually went to monthly classes for and this is where I got confirmation on things.

At any time you have something different-- bleeding, more mucus, signs of lubrication etc. you count that as a day of bleeding, fertility etc. Therefore, those days you spot should count as day 1 of your period. I know for myself that since I got my period after my little boy my first day is extremely light, usually no sign until the evening, but I do have spotting so I mark it. Then the next day I have more bleeding etc. I just mark it as a very light day or light day.

Also, before I had my baby my cycles were usually 5-7 days-- one to two light days (pantyliner only) before two to three days of heavier flow and two days of a light flow. When I count that "spotty" day, it still works out the same.

But of course, if you're still confused because of all this contridiction from us, please call your doctor and ask for clarification. A phone call doesn't cost much and will save you worry!

Good luck!

Typically day one of your cycle is the first day of full flow. Spotting doesn't count. Husband and I started trying to conceive in October so I read every single book out there and they all pretty much agree on that. Best of luck and happy baby dancing!

YES! you need the book 'taking charge of your fertility'. the must have baby making book. every woman should read it!

Whenever you start bleeding--light or not--is the "first" day of your period.

I am also doing the same - and I believe that my doctor told me that your first day should start on the day that it's in full force, not the days where you spot. Good luck on baby #2!

I tend to disagree with what others have said. My DH and I have been trying for a year now and have been seeing an RE (a fertility specialist) for a few months. We're now doing IUI (insemination) and our doctor tells us to count the first FULL FLOW day of my period as cycle #1. This month I spotted a bit (just drops here and there) for two days prior so I called him, but he still said to wait until my first day of FULL FLOW before considering it cycle day 1. I've been charting for years now and it always matches up with what I would expect my normal ovulatory and luteal phases to be.

Hope that helps!

I highly recommend buying (or checking out, our library has it) the book Taking Charge of You Fertility. It's amazing! It really helped me to get pregnant this time around. :)
Good luck!

I believe you count any bleeding at all.