Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)

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Day 21 Query

Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27173
Printed Date: 21 August 2025 at 7:58pm
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Topic: Day 21 Query

Posted By: molz
Subject: Day 21 Query
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 1:16pm

Hi All

Sorry if this question has been asked before but me and DP are trying for a baby -
Was on the depo for 5years came off it July08 and AF started Oct08 -

Had an appointment yesterday with a specialist that said I have to take a blood test on Day21 when my cycle ends to check my progesterone level?

I forgot to ask is Day21 counting from when my AF finishes? or Day 1 when it starts?

Also if say I dont want to do the charting option can I jst do the ovulation test pack things?
Ive seen people talk about it and Ive seen it on trademe lol so thinking I should try that option -

Any word of advice or suggestions will be appreciated

Didnt realise there was alot to take in and learn -
I jst hope I get a BFP soon

Replies:

Posted By: Kicker
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 1:19pm

Hi Molz988 - day one is the first day of AF.

Yes you can just do the OPK thing, but some people find these hard to interpret, or they don't work for them. A lot of people combine different methods such as charting and OPKs, or charting and maybe baby etc.

Good luck with your journey - this forum has a lot of information and wise women that can help so just ask away.

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Posted By: KH25
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 1:21pm

Its all very confusing isn't it!!

Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of red blood so you'll go for your test on day 21. I don't chart either but do use the ovulation tests. i normally ovulate around day 14 so I start using the tests (and bding) on day 10 and carry on until I get the + opk.

Hope this helps, good luck

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Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11)
http://lilypie.com">

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 1:22pm

thanks Kicker

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 1:27pm

I know!!! lol

k now i know when day 21 falls schedule that in for my blood test -

when do you start using the ovulations tests?

so many different terminologies haha
but gonna lurk in here and learn some new things which i dont know alot about hehe

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 1:50pm

anyone recommend a good book to read in regards to fertility basics?
a small book that can fit in your bag?

TIA

Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 3:32pm

Cant recommend a book, sorry.

It is probably good to start taking the OPK's (ovulation test) CD(cycle day)10 and continue everyday until you get a positive test.

Bear in mind though, just because you get a positive test, does not mean you have actually ovulated. The test turns positive when you are having a hormone surge that happens around 24 hours before ovulation (it can be as little as 12 hours or more than 24.. cant quite remember how long though sorry.). It is possible to have this LH surge but not ovulate and have another surge some days later and ovulate then. Temping with OPK's is good because if you get at temp rise the day after your positive test and it stays risen for 3 days in a row you can pretty much guarantee you have ovulated.

It is all confusing, I googled for info and asked a lot of questions here.

Good luck, and dont be afraid to ask a question even if you think it is a silly one.

Hopefully you will get pregnant very soon!

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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 3:34pm

Oh, the other thing is if your cycle is longer than 28 days, you may have ovulated later than CD14 so having the blood test on CD21 may not show very high progesterone levels as these peak 6 to 7 days after ovulation.

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Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 6:04pm

The "Making Babies" book that you can get through fertility associates is not that big. But it covers heaps of other stuff as well.

Posted By: Shezzey
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 6:37pm

yea Melnel, I read that progesterone test should be 7 days after ovulation because that is when progesterone levels are at its highest (corpus luteum releases progesterone). So if your cycle is longer than 28 days the cd21 test is not a true reflection of the progesterone level.

Posted By: Shezzey
Date Posted: 26 June 2009 at 7:20pm

Hi Molz...

I found this info on a website :

What is Progesterone?

http://ezinearticles.com/?Progesterone-Supplements&id=170334 - Kevin Stitch explains progesterone much better than I could:

"Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries that helps maintain a normal menstrual cycle. By preparing the lining of the uterus for implantation by the embryo, Progesterone also plays a critical role in maintaining the early weeks of a pregnancy. At approximately the eighth week of a normal pregnancy, the placenta takes over the role of producing Progesterone for the remainder of the pregnancy. Progesterone helps relax the muscles in the lining of the uterus, and also helps the breasts to develop in preparation for milk production after the birth of a baby."

The only way to test for progesterone is through a simple blood test. Most doctors order this test on CD21, but as we know, not all women would be 7dpo then, when the test is most commonly ordered. Some doctors even call it a CD21 test which shows a blatant lack of respect for you as a patient.

I always advise women to count out 7 dpo and go get the blood test then NOT on CD21 as is most commonly written on your lab sheet. If your numbers come back very low it suggests there was not active ovulation, even if you felt ovulation sensations or had fertile cervical mucous. Most doctors would want to force ovulation and would suggest a medicated cycle, most often starting with Clomid or Femara.

If, however, your test indicates ovulation occurred but your progesterone is very low, supplementation might be offered. A level less than 14 ng/ml indicates that progesterone production in the luteal phase is inadequate.

http://visibleconception.blogspot.com/2008/03/luteal-phase-defect-progesterone-and.html - http://visibleconception.blogspot.com/2008/03/luteal-phase-defect-progesterone-and.html

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 27 June 2009 at 9:27am

thanks guys for the info -
gives me a bit of hope if say my blood test was taken and results came back as low

will definitely take a look at getting that "making babies" book

so to get this right - i need to know when im ovulating and this will be the best time to BD?

Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 27 June 2009 at 7:34pm

Hi molz, I know you don't want to do the charting thing but it does give you a good idea of your cycle, good luck

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 11:53am

thanks jazzy

i do want to do the charting option but i wake up at different times due to work -
and still confused as to how it works lol

i guess i need to jst sit down and read the instructions on how its supposed to be done

Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 12:06pm

you could start off charting without doing your temps, just record other stuff, it will give you a good record.

I have VIP on FF which is when you pay for it & get to use the extras, but when it runs out in about 40days, I will not pay again & will stop doing the temp & may just record stuff.

I find I get too hung up on it, but think I am too hung up on the whole TTC, lol.

You can always come & join us in the waiting threads.

hope your wait is soon over.

Posted By: Shezzey
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 2:20pm

Molz, you don't necessarily have to take your temperature everyday, but just put in the days that you can and it will give you a basic idea of how your cycle is going.

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 2:27pm

oh ok lol
thanks for the info -

i bought a thermometer for this beginning of the year but never got to use it haha

guess now will be a good time to get it out of its packaging hehe

so do i start recording my temp on the first day of AF or the last day and how long do i do this for?

Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 2:50pm

you can start anyday, even if you miss a few it will still give you a good idea of whats going on.

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 3:06pm

kewl - will do that tomorrow morning

cant wait now hehe

Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 3:12pm

hee hee, its adictive(sp), I want to smash mine some times.

Wish there was a thermometer that said pg / or not pg. So much easier, lol.

Posted By: molz
Date Posted: 29 June 2009 at 3:21pm

lol that wouldve been alot better hehe

bought some OPK tests online so cant wait for those to arrive as well