Charting During Pregnancy?
Question
When one becomes pregnant, will the observations continue to be dry days? Do you continue charting through pregnancy as well?
Answer
Last Updated: June 11, 2013
NFP Teachers are often asked:
“How will I be able to tell when I am pregnant?”
“Will I observe signs of pregnancy on my chart?”
“Do I keep charting when I am pregnant?”
and I appreciate the opportunity to address these questions in a general way in this forum.
With NFP, a couple is of course able to identify the precise days of fertility, and therefore have a marker for when to suspect pregnancy. If the women does not menstruate by 17 days after her peak (as observed by her mucus sign or elevated temperature) it is appropriate to test for pregnancy. The absence of menstruation in the normal time frame after her peak sign is of course the most reliable clue conception may have occurred.
In addition, a woman may observe other signs that could indicate conception has occurred. Approximately 10-25% of women will observe spotting about the time of implantation, a week or two after conception. This bleeding is usually very light, ranging from a single observation of a pink tinge, to spotting which persists for 2-5 days, sometimes accompanied with mild cramping. Some women will observe peak like mucus signs around the time of implantation. Observing either of these signs may indicate pregnancy, which could be confirmed by a pregnancy test.
Some of the classic signs of pregnancy can also manifest themselves prior to a positive pregnancy test, such as breast tenderness or fatigue.
In terms of mucus observations, anything is possible, but what I observe most commonly is no change at all in the typical post peak observations. Some women do note a change in patterns, which they may describe as being drier—or moister– than usual. Some even observe a continuous discharge at that time.
Once a pregnancy is confirmed, the couple usually suspends charting until after the baby is born. For family planning purposes, of course, there is no reason to continue charting once pregnancy is achieved. However one wonders what information might have been gained all these years if we had chart records of women throughout their pregnancies. For this reason some researchers are suggesting charting continue uninterrupted throughout pregnancy. It is advisable the couple contact their NFP provider to make an appt. to review the chart, identifying the estimated time of conception and the baby’s estimated time of arrival.
The chart is a valuable tool in identifying pregnancy early, so appropriate lifestyle adjustments can be made to promote a healthy pregnancy, and accurately identifying the date of conception, to avoid complications arising from inaccurate due dates.
“How will I be able to tell when I am pregnant?”
“Will I observe signs of pregnancy on my chart?”
“Do I keep charting when I am pregnant?”
and I appreciate the opportunity to address these questions in a general way in this forum.
With NFP, a couple is of course able to identify the precise days of fertility, and therefore have a marker for when to suspect pregnancy. If the women does not menstruate by 17 days after her peak (as observed by her mucus sign or elevated temperature) it is appropriate to test for pregnancy. The absence of menstruation in the normal time frame after her peak sign is of course the most reliable clue conception may have occurred.
In addition, a woman may observe other signs that could indicate conception has occurred. Approximately 10-25% of women will observe spotting about the time of implantation, a week or two after conception. This bleeding is usually very light, ranging from a single observation of a pink tinge, to spotting which persists for 2-5 days, sometimes accompanied with mild cramping. Some women will observe peak like mucus signs around the time of implantation. Observing either of these signs may indicate pregnancy, which could be confirmed by a pregnancy test.
Some of the classic signs of pregnancy can also manifest themselves prior to a positive pregnancy test, such as breast tenderness or fatigue.
In terms of mucus observations, anything is possible, but what I observe most commonly is no change at all in the typical post peak observations. Some women do note a change in patterns, which they may describe as being drier—or moister– than usual. Some even observe a continuous discharge at that time.
Once a pregnancy is confirmed, the couple usually suspends charting until after the baby is born. For family planning purposes, of course, there is no reason to continue charting once pregnancy is achieved. However one wonders what information might have been gained all these years if we had chart records of women throughout their pregnancies. For this reason some researchers are suggesting charting continue uninterrupted throughout pregnancy. It is advisable the couple contact their NFP provider to make an appt. to review the chart, identifying the estimated time of conception and the baby’s estimated time of arrival.
The chart is a valuable tool in identifying pregnancy early, so appropriate lifestyle adjustments can be made to promote a healthy pregnancy, and accurately identifying the date of conception, to avoid complications arising from inaccurate due dates.
Answered By:
CANFP
CANFP unites under one umbrella all those who use, teach, and advocate for NFP, and our members are our strongest resource: the physicians who provide authentic women’s healthcare, the Practitioners and Certified Teachers of all the natural methods instructing couples in its use, the couples who use NFP and reflect its values in their families and communities, the clergy providing the spiritual formation and context, and the churches, dioceses, hospitals, and profile organizations who collaborate in providing access to these services throughout the state.
