I just have to say this.

When it comes to charting, the “implantation dip” is a MYTH. I hear it over and over again on the forums – “Ooohhh, nice implantation dip!” “That drop is probably an implantation dip” and I want to bang my head against the wall. Especially when said “dip” in temp is at like 4dpo (implantation happens between 7-10dpo!) There is NO proof that any such thing exists at all. Most pregnant charts show no dip in temperture, and most charts that have a dip are not pregnant.

Another one that drives me nuts is the “stable temps mean stable hormones!” That may be true in a broad spectrum case – ie, charts showing a clear pattern are the result of stable hormones, whereas charts with temps all over the map may be showing anovulation caused by miss-functioning hormones (or it could be caused by thermometer user error). But when someone has three, four, five tempertures in a row showing the exact same temperture there are two possible causes: either the battery in your thermometer is kicking the bucket, or it’s just luck of the draw. It doesn’t mean anything significant.

I am really finding that the further I get in this journey the less I am able to tolerate most message boards. I am getting cranky. Reading the posts of people in their first cycle complaining about how long the two week wait is… or how upset they are they they didn’t get a BFP at 9dpo… I just can’t reply to it. I do completely understand that all their feelings are very valid and they absolutely need a place to be able to speak them without being snarked at. I certainly never reply in a rude manner. But I am not the person to be offering condolences. I just move on. I’m learning that some forums I just can’t read anymore… too many people too full of hope and innocence. And I know that for most of them their stay will be short-lived, they will get their BFP and happily announce it and move on. And I’m finding it very hard to dredge up feelings of excitement for them. Again – I absolutely, positively think they are entitled to those feelings! But right now, I am not one who can be excited for them. It just reminds me of my own pain.

And it’s all a double-edged sword because I know that there are so many women out there who have been trying for much longer than I am, and sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t be feeling as bad as I do because it could be worse. But, just as the women who have been trying for only a couple of months are entitled to all their emotions, I remind myself that so am I.