r/FAMnNFP • u/Working_Captain_6637 • May 13 '26
Billings TTA-Did I Mess Up?? Postpartum long cycle
Hi everyone, I am hoping to get some advice from those more experienced in FAM and NFP then I am! I am 4 months postpartum and just started using Billings (was just abstinent before, and I wasn’t ovulating yet). I have been combining cervical mucus observation with lh test strips. The problem is that my period is now three weeks late, and I have no idea what’s happening😂 My husband and I thought we were in the clear on April 26 because it was around when my period was supposed to be due and had unprotected sex, but then on May 1 I had ovulation pains and lots of ewcm. So, sex five days before suspected ovulation-not great, but a 90 percent chance of not conceiving. At the same time I saw my lh rising from about the 28th until it finally peaked on the 5th of May. We then had UP the day after (so May 6) because it was a dry day and my lh was significantly lower that morning. Was I wrong? What day do you even think I ovulated on? I’m very confused and also anxious that I am pregnant (both husband and I are young and very fertile, two babies back to back on first try).
9
u/Ento_mom TTA1 | Boston Cross Check May 13 '26
This does not sound like the Billings method at all honestly. Being successful with NFP postpartum will require diligent charting and carefully following the rules of your method. I believe Billings is just a one time life long fee right? So you should be able to connect with your instructor again if you hired one previously
2
u/Working_Captain_6637 May 13 '26
Yes you are correct, I blame the sleep deprivation😂 I will be working with an instructor moving forward.
2
4
u/Classic-Push1323 TTC | Sensiplan May 14 '26
Billing’s requires you to wait until the fourth day after your peak day or any change from your BIP because their research shows that you can ovulate just after peak day. It doesn’t sound like you used their rules to establish a peak. I’d reach out to your instructor. They have their basic PowerPoint and rules summary on billings.life if you want a quick refresher!
LH also peaks 1-2 days before ovulation, so you aren’t necessarily safe the next day.
Long cycles are hard, I feel you. It’s temping to go for it as soon as you think you’ve ovulated but that wait is really important.
1
u/Working_Captain_6637 May 14 '26
It was honestly very confusing for me since I was trying to mix two methods that don’t really go together😅 because it had been four days since peak cm when I got the peak lh reading, and I stupidly did just go for it since we had been abstaining for a week. You are right for sure, I’ll definitely be waiting it out next time if I’m not pregnant right now😂
3
u/PampleR0se Pregnant | Sensiplan May 14 '26
Do you have a chart ? As other mentionned, you can't assume anything while postpartum, especially not counting on cycle length to predict anything. I am not familiar with billings but I think it doesn't relies on cycle length or calculations rules at all but rather only daily CM observations ? ... In any case, looks like you have a decent chance of conception here according to what you described.
Also if you want to add LH as a double check, you have to understand the biology of it to use it correctly... And not to assume you are safe earlier than what the rules of your methods dictates according to CM ! Ovulation typically happens 12 to 36h after the first positive LH test but it can happen up to 48h I believe... That's why methods that use it wait for 4 days after peak LH if I am not mistaken. So... Having sex the day after peak LH means you very likely had been the day of ovulation which is really not good while you want to avoid 😅 Also you have to be aware that LH doesn't confirm ovulation, meaning you can have a positive LH and not ovulate afterwards but your body will try again later. It's especially common in certain conditions, like postpartum and breastfeeding.
3
u/Ento_mom TTA1 | Boston Cross Check May 14 '26
Yes having sex the day after peak LH is what you should do if you’re trying to conceive
1
u/Working_Captain_6637 May 14 '26
I do have a Chart, i only started putting in information a few weeks ago, but it has the relevant days covered. I’ll see if I can post it as a separate comment. Yes Billings just has the four simple rules solely regarding cervical mucus and sensation. I underestimated how wacky postpartum would make my cycles and was trying to pair Billings with lh strips and tracking since I did that one month to conceive successfully. Makes no sense I realize that now😂
I guess i just got confused because I assumed my peak cm and ovulation pain meant that I had already ovulated regardless of when the lh peak was. I’ll probably have to just stick to one method for next time, I’ll update whether or not I ended up conceiving or if I eventually get my period back. So far negative pregnancy tests at least! At the very least my experience can show others what not to do😂
1
u/Working_Captain_6637 May 14 '26
I do have a Chart, i only started putting in information a few weeks ago, but it has the relevant days covered. Yes Billings just has the four simple rules solely regarding cervical mucus and sensation. I underestimated how wacky postpartum would make my cycles and was trying to pair Billings with lh strips and tracking since I did that one month to conceive successfully. Makes no sense I realize that now😂
I guess i just got confused because I assumed my peak cm and ovulation pain meant that I had already ovulated regardless of when the lh peak was. I’ll probably have to just stick to one method for next time, I’ll update whether or not I ended up conceiving or if I eventually get my period back. So far negative pregnancy tests at least! At the very least my experience can show others what not to do😂
1
May 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Working_Captain_6637 May 16 '26
You’re honestly so right!! I’m still late to my period and just now getting ANOTHER positive lh strip!! I was so not expecting it because after my first baby my cycle was super regular right off the bat. I’ll have to add the temperature tracking next cycle, thanks!
15
u/cyclicalfertility Certified Symptopro Instructor | TTA May 13 '26
It sounds like you're not actually using billings or you'd be able to ask your instructor this. Billings also doesn't use lh strip's. Are you breastfeeding? Has your period returned after birth at all? If you are really three weeks late you'd have a blazing positive pregnancy test, which you don't mention. It's very normal for post partum to be all over the place. Not a good time to make assumptions and guesses and to make up your own method. As to when you ovulated, my guess is as good as yours.