ECM before ovulation?

[lmohall]

I know it's been awhile since I've posted...but I wanted to give a bit of an update and ask a couple of questions:

1) In March & April I started using natural progesterone for my spotting and in May I was finally able to get in to see a much respected holistic doctor. No changes in my cycles, but I really liked the doctor and feel like he's helped with some of the issues following my appendix surgery.

2) Skipped May with the progesterone. Stress at work and wasn't sure I was doing anything right.

3) New doctor said I should measure the progesterone and double my dose which I did in June and I was amazed! I wasn't using enough in March & April (even for a half dose)

4) Spotting increased (pink instead of brown...I thought I'd started AF) in June with extra progesterone, but it was shorter in length.

5) This month: Started seeing new acupuncturist who said I was overheated. My pre-ovulation temps dropped (Average before was 97.7 now it's 97.2 and that's after only 1 treatment with him and taking his herbs!)

6) So last Tues & Wed I had the most ECM I've had in AGES. I couldn't believe it (and of course, I was away from DH...had BMS when I got home Wed night). Thursday was watery CM and Friday I was dry and then today my temperatures went up by a whole degree!!! (It's only day 13 of my cycle...normally temps don't increase until day 17.) Started progesterone this morning. Here's my question: Has anyone had ECM two or more days before they've ovulated? I read somewhere that some women, when they are stressed, release an egg earlier. Do you think this is what's happened?

Sorry this is so long!!! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! (I see the acupuncturist on Monday and the holistic doctor again on Wed.)

[BC-DKNY]

hi there!

glad to hear things are falling into place

between your description of the EWCM and your temps, it does sound like O has already taken place. however we usually like to see the temps stay up for a few days before we put too much certainty into it. every once in a blue moon we can get a non O rise. so the extra days of increased temps helps verify.

i would hold off on the progest for another day or so to be sure and then start it.

as for the ewcm....i've alsways gotten it 3-4 days prior to actually O'ing and dried up immediately after.

seeing ewcm before O is a great sign!!

i know maura was seeing an acupunturist while she was TTC and is really an advocate of that. perhaps she will pop in and add a comment or 2.

in the mean time......keep doing what you're doing. it sounds like good things are happening.

[lmohall]

I know 3 days is the number to wait to verify ovulation, but it was just such a dramatic shift, that I started the progesterone anyway. I didn't wait for the 3 day shift last month either. Tomorrow will be day 3.

I was really concerned because the EWCM seemed to be earlier than what I thought, or expected. And you're telling me that it usually comes 3-4 days before ovulation? This is very good news!!

I was hoping that Maura would pop on and notice that I'd switched acupuncturists...I see him again tomorrow...there is this glimmer of hope that things are changing...thanks for the info!

~Laura

PS I noticed this month that I started cycling with the moon...just thought it was cool...

[BC-DKNY]

laura....that's when i would start to see ewcm. i'm sure there's no hard and steadfast rule, but just wanted to tell you it's not unusual to see it for a few days before. it does come to an abrupt stop tho once O has taken place.

the thing with progest is if it's started too early it can prevent or interfere with the completion of O.

our bodies naturally produce progesterone once we have O'd. if you introduce progesterone (synthtically) to the body and O hasn't taken place yet, or is in the process, we "trick" our body into thinking O is complete. that's why it's so important to be certain O has taken place.

i was just talking with somone a few days ago about the impact of the moon (especially a full moon) on our cycles. it's interesting for sure!

[lmohall]

Hi! Thanks for the reassurance about EWCM. I was driving home to DH on the evening of the second day....just hoping against all hope that I didn't miss out on anything! It's just been soooo long since I've had CM like that...It was amazing! When my temps didn't rise right away....well, thanks again for the reassurance.

I see my dr. this afternoon and will talk to him about the progesterone. The kind I'm taking is the natural topical cream stuff made from yams.

Here's my chart for this month if you wanted to take a look:
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/1d019f