When to count CD1

[lastchance4pink]

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before.. I tried searching but couldn't find an answer.

Anyway, when should we count the start of our cycle? Do we count the first day we notice spotting- even if it's just the tiniest bit, or do we count the first day of an actual flow that requires a pad/tampon?

I don't know how much this matters, but I usually spot lightly 2 days before my actual flow begins but I am always unsure when to count the first day. And being that I'm going on month 3 of failed attempts, I'm hoping to pinpoint any potential problems.

Thanks in advance!

[Racey hoping pink]

I always count cd 1 from the day I start having a proper flow. I hope this cycle is the one you get your bfp❤

[atomic sagebrush]

First day of actual flow PROVIDED that you don't always just get your period with a couple days of light spotting at the start.

By this I mean, if you ovulate and then have a 14 day LP and then a light day and then a heavy day, and that is just the pattern your period takes, then your light day is obvs. CD 1.

But if you normally have AF come on all at once and heavy from the start, and then all of a sudden you start having 2 days of light spotting 12/13 DPO and then red flow starts 14 DPO and you have a normal period after, then the spotting is at the end of the LP in that case and isn't your period till the red flow stars.

So to sum up - usually the first day of red flow unless your period comes in a particualr distinct pattern that always starts with spotting

[lastchance4pink]

I always count cd 1 from the day I start having a proper flow. I hope this cycle is the one you get your bfp❤

Thank you so much!

[lastchance4pink]

First day of actual flow PROVIDED that you don't always just get your period with a couple days of light spotting at the start.

By this I mean, if you ovulate and then have a 14 day LP and then a light day and then a heavy day, and that is just the pattern your period takes, then your light day is obvs. CD 1.

But if you normally have AF come on all at once and heavy from the start, and then all of a sudden you start having 2 days of light spotting 12/13 DPO and then red flow starts 14 DPO and you have a normal period after, then the spotting is at the end of the LP in that case and isn't your period till the red flow stars.

So to sum up - usually the first day of red flow unless your period comes in a particualr distinct pattern that always starts with spotting

Thanks for the response! For as long as I can remember (I'm talking since I was a teen) I've always had 1-2 days of light spotting before my full flow. The very first day of spotting is usually just the slightest tinge of color, then the second day of spotting it usually increases, but still not enough for a pad or tampon. Then by the 3rd day it's full AF. So if that's my normal pattern, should I count the very first day I notice anything? It's never been cut & dry for me on my start dates - ever.

[atomic sagebrush]

Probably, but let's delve a little deeper here - do you have a good feel for when you ovulate? Do you go 28 days from the day of the full AF to the full AF if that makes any sense?

My gut instinct is for you to split the difference and call the second day CD 1

The good news is that you don't need to know exactly. It's ok not to know PRECISELY when CD 1 is. It really doesn't matter.

[lastchance4pink]

Probably, but let's delve a little deeper here - do you have a good feel for when you ovulate? Do you go 28 days from the day of the full AF to the full AF if that makes any sense?

My gut instinct is for you to split the difference and call the second day CD 1

The good news is that you don't need to know exactly. It's ok not to know PRECISELY when CD 1 is. It really doesn't matter.

I was trying to think of any reason why it would matter and i couldn't really think of a good reason why as my cycles are usually fairly predictable with 28-30 days in between. I always do have a sense for when I'm ovulating.

But I think from the end of this cycle anyway, we're going to try E4D because we haven't been successful for 3 months now doing just 1 attempt. So now I don't think it'll matter too much since I'll obviously know when my cycle is over.

[atomic sagebrush]

:agree: Totally fine to switch to e4d.

Yes people have this notion that you MUST know but even when you're on Clomid, you really do not need to know precisely. It's that old leftover timing stuff messing with people's heads.