Going from memory here…I thought that “pasty” is the word for what you’re describing. I think that’s a “p” on the chart but I would check your Creighton manual - I remember it describing mucus that’s like lotion. Also, I have post-peak mucus too (pasty and other types) and my instructor just gave me yellow stickers to mark post-peak mucus. So maybe you can ask your instructor about that? Good luck!

If it’s a regular occurence with you and you’re certain it’s unfertile, it’s probably going to be the yellow stickers, as Jane mentions above.

To use the Creighton lingo, it sounds like 6CP sticky cloudy pasty which is a common discharge that is actually vaginal rather than cervical. I get it a couple of times a month at least and it has that “lotiony” quality. Not fertile, but still gets a mucus stamp. Be careful til you hear from your instructor, though.

Thanks girls!  That helps a lot!

Temp if you can. The temp shift will confirm peak, so you don’t have to worry about anything after that. Don’t tell your instructor, though.

Billings does a better job than Creighton with infertile discharge, if that is a problem.

Patty, You can use it while nursing before your cycles return if you follow the Marquette Method:

nfp.marquette.edu

It worked for me, and I know it has worked for many others, too. (I started using it when I was about 3 months post-partum and breastfeeding, following Marquette’s instructions, and it didn’t detect ovulation until 4 months later.)

Good luck!

Ditto to what MR said. We have been using the breastfeeding protoccol for the Marquette Method (they have a whole section of the website devoted to these special circumstances) for 10 months now, and it has made the post-partum period SO much less stressful. We had been using Billings previously, but Marquette has been much clearer for my fertility signs. And we have many more days available than we would have with a CM only method. I know it’s so stressful though - good luck in whatever you decide for your family.

When I was writing my last comment, my kids were talking to me at the same time, so it wasn’t as thorough as I wanted it to be! I’m guessing that you saw here that many people have used the monitor successfully, but missed the part about how to use it that I and “mothering spirit” mentioned above. You’re correct that if you follow the directions that come with the monitor you can’t use it until your cycles return (which sort of defeats the purpose!). If you did look at the Marquette Method website and looked only at the basic instructions, you were probably also not getting the best info for your situation. If you choose to try the monitor again, be sure to look for “Breastfeeding Protocol” to get the best instructions. Also, you would probably find it helpful to register for the forum if you need more clarity on the directions. I hope everything works out for you!

If you are the main one caring for the kids (say, while hubby is at work, do the bedtime routine, etc.), I say you get two votes to his one!   See what he thinks.  My hubs would say so (which is why we’re abstaining, in fact… he is fine with more but I am SWAMPED and he gives me veto power since I do MOST of the child care—not all, of course, but MOST).  If you can handle one more and have all that spunk… remind hubby that it’ll affect YOU the most (assuming that’s the case).  Sounds like you are ready and excited… so hit him up with lots of enthusiasm, show him all that extra energy, and remind him that you can take on the world and he can come along for the ride (for the most part)!!!!  And if you still have some spring left in your step after all that… mail some my way, would ya?!

Thanks, Mom of 4, for being honest.  I am very much in your shoes as one of mine has special needs but my family seems a bit incomplete.  I’ll add my small prayers that God give you your heart’s desire and that Our Lord bless the child (and you!) with good health.

I don’t have time to type a lot (dinner time), but in short, yes, the quick start instructions are enough to get started, so jump on in. I don’t know why you never got your reg email—mine came within 24 hours—but I think the forum is worthwhile enough that I would write to Mary Schneider, one of the nurses in charge, and ask about it. Her email is on the NFP website, under the “contact us” link on the right of the main page. Good luck!

We are new to MM also.  the correct website is: http://nfp.marquette.edu/portal/login.php
I was sent to the wrong one first and waited, but got an email from Mary Schneider and apparently I had logged into a closed study.  Soooo….that said, we are now on board and are just starting to explore the forums.  It’s our first month and sadly I have yet to see a “Peak” (now day 20!!) so we will see what the next few months have in store for us.  Until then, we are using our STM as a back up….I have gotten some positive feedback off the forums and will implement them next month, unless we get pregnant…..

The trouble with the websites is that they are almost identical!  http://nfp.marquette.edu/portal/login.php  is the correct one
In fact, I had to make the correct website my “favorite” to keep from going to the old-defunct site b/c I have TWICE charted in the old website and only realized it was the wrong one once I couldn’t log my monitor!  GRRRR….  good luck.  And, of course, today I get a"Peak”...day 21!