How to Tell?

They have Ovulation tests at the grocery store. It is just like a pregnancy test, you pee on it and it gives you the sign! :)
Good Luck.

It is not at all abnormal that you have not yet gotten your period if you are still breastfeeding. With my first three babies, my period returned when each one was 14 months old. Now with #4, it's a bit earlier - just got my first period this month, and my baby is 11 months old. Perhaps your body is telling you that you are not yet ready for another baby. :)

Along with the other books that have been recommended, I recommend a book called "Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing" by Sheila Kippley. It will explain how this process works and why it can vary with each child. In addition, using Natural Family Planning is the best way to figure out your fertility. (The Billings Method does not require temp. taking, which is why I have always used it because, like you, I don't want to take my temp. every morning!)

Hi S.!
Have you taken a pregnancy test? Maybe the process began without you!
Good luck!

You can buy ovulation predictors from a website called early-pregnancy tests.com (you might have to google it) but i am pretty sure that's the website. They are a couple dollars, but do work. I also used a basal body thermometer, but it is such a pain!!! I also experience pain on whichever side is ovulating.

Hi S.! I am a WAHM, too, just about to deliver my first daughter.

I have been down the fertility road with this pregnancy for the last few years. We lost 3 due to an abnormally shaped uterus but I had surgery and have been able to finally carry to term. So, I know the ups and downs of ovulating.

First of all, I would recommend that you at least speak to your OB about why your period hasn't returned. I would think it would be difficult to gauge ovulation without that clear marker. The other things you can do are ovulation tests. They are simple to use and the best ones I found were Clearblue Easy and First Response. These measure the LH surge and can generally tell you if you are going to ovulate within the next 48 hours. The best time to take them is 7-21 days after your period ends since some women ovulate mid cycle and others at different times during their cycles.

Another natural way to monitor ovulation is by checking cervical mucus. When it becomes like egg white consistency and when you can stretch your fingers apart about an inch, this is a good sign that you are about to ovulate or are ovulating.

There is a great website called fertilityfriend.com that gives free lessons (over email) on monitoring CM and temperature charting, too.

Best wishes!!

Truly,
Jess

I have always had really irregular periods if I ever had one at all and needed help to get pregnant. so the doctor would give me stuff to start my period. If you aren't having a period you probably aren't ovulating. There are ovulation tests on the market. I know there is an ovulation test kit out there that gives you enough tests for the month. My problem with those was the cost. I found a great place online where I get my ovulation test kits I will put the link here. http://just4tests.com/conception/index.php?main_page=inde.... Your doctor may have other recommendations as well.

Your temp goes up 1 degree after you ovulate, so usually you want to start having sex around day 9 and do it every other day until your temp has been up for 4 days. If you wait till your temp goes up to start having sex you will miss it! If you haven't had a period I would guess you're not ovulating so you may want to talk to your Dr. about getting on clomid or getting your progesterone level checked. If it is too low your body doesn't ovulate. Good Luck!

I recommend the book "Taking Charge of your Fertility". That was a great resource for me to learn more about my body and monthly cycles. The book goes over how to chart your cycles and part of that process is taking your temp daily. But once you get into the habit of it- it's not that bad. Good Luck!

Have you heard of an ovulation kit? I've never used one but I have a few friends who have and it helped each of them get pregnant. One of my friends ovulates a week later then you would think and was having a very hard time getting pregnant until she used this kit. I think you can find it at any grocery story, but I'm not sure. I'd check it out. It would definitely save some hassel. Good luck with getting pregnant again!

There is a detailed book called "Fertility Signals" and ovulation tests you can buy at the store....Good luck!

Are you breast feeding still? Breastfeeding can supress ovulation. It looks like you have had three successfull pregnancies, did this happen before? If you want to get pregnant and are breastfeeding maybe you need to start weaning? I know by the time my kids were 9 months I had cut back to three feedings a day with solids and juice as well, I think this is when I had my first period. Good luck to you!

Read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wechsler, which will help you read your body's natural signals to ovulation (e.g. cervical mucous). You may also want to talk to your obgyn and check your hormone levels (estrogen & progesterone). I think I remember getting a progesterone shot that triggered my period, but it has been several years now. Good luck!

There is a GREAT book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility that explains this and SO much more - I think every woman should read it, no matter what stage of life because it explains how to get pregnant, how to avoid it, and all about menopause as well. It will fascinate you and teach you all about your physical body!

You can buy ovulation kits (about $12-$17 for pee sticks) or ovulation predictors (digital ones that test your urine everyday about $200). But since you haven't had a period, I would suggest calling your doctor to see what he/she recommends.

If you are not breastfeeding, see your doctor about why you haven't gotten your period. You probably haven't begun to ovulate yet; if you are breastfeeding that is totally natural. I have an 8 month old too and my period has not returned either. Unfortunately if you really want another child right away, you may have to stop breastfeeding, or at least cut down on the number of feedings.

IMO temp taking, cervical mucous monitoring and ovulation kits will be a waste of time and money until that period shows back up. Good Luck!

I would suggest first talking to your doctor and seeing if there is any medical reason you have not had a period. And second, I would try the easiest and quickest option next - who needs the frustration?! Try the inexpensive ovulation kits you get at the grocery store (the ones that test urine). I have used these with each of my kids and they are right on and easy to use.

Good luck!

You could try one of those ovulation testers. I've never tried one, but they work like a pregnancy test where you pee on a stick and you get a smiley face if you're ovulating. Other than that I have no idea. Good luck tho!!

I recommend a great book, "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." My temps were all over the place, so instead of charting I used other signs I learned from this book and now we have two wonderful kids.

Good luck to you!

If you are breast feeding, it is very possible that you will not be able to get pregnant for awhile. Your body may just not be ready to get pregnant. I started periods between 9 and 10 months after my daughter was born. The long gap was because of breastfeeding.

You can use sticks that test for lutenizing hormone if you are wanting to keep track of ovulation--you can use them daily to check for positives. This website sells tests at a reasonable price in bulk. They also have other TTC resources.

Good Luck.

http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/?gclid=CNXbpvuY55ICF...

Sorry if this is kinda gross but you did ask! My husband and I use the sympto-thermal method of Natural Family Planning which does use temperature taking... but you don't have to use the temperature part. Okay now the gross part, you have to watch your mucus. A clear, stretchy kind is the most fertile kind. Yellow or non-stretchy not so much. Also watch out for any kind of abdominal pain even slight because that's one of my biggest clues. And it's internal that men are more attracted to you at that time of the month, so if your hubby is a little over-eager (hah hah) you might be ovulating. Good luck with everything :]