Summer Charting

It’s the day after Memorial Day, which means summer has officially started! And while I am a huge fan of long, lazy summer days with a lot less crammed into my schedule, charting still remains, and that is something I do not like to be lazy about! Here are my top 3 tips to help your charting stay on point during the summer heat:

1.      Always keep to the observational routine.  Known as Instruction A on the back of your chart, this one is listed first for a reason! With the Creighton Model, we know the importance of 100% observations before and after using the bathroom, every time. Obsessive? Most definitely, which is why users can have confidence in its nearly 97% effectiveness for avoiding pregnancy.

     In the summertime, this might mean some preparation is needed beforehand. Maybe stock up on those little prefolded tissues from the dollar store for when you are spending all day hiking or roughing it in a tent for the week. Have a good idea of what your restroom situation is going to look like ahead of time allows you to prepare for that specific scenario so you can always keep to the observational routine and chart accurately.

2.      Chart at the end of the day, every day, the most fertile sign for the day.  Surprise, surprise, Instruction B from the back of the chart has made the summer list as well! Charting at the end of the day, every day, the most fertile sign of the day allows you to see what’s happening in your cycle in a day to day fashion so you can use the system accurately per your expressed intentions, no matter where your summer plans may take you.

     Do not try to chart every few days. I repeat, DO NOT TRY TO CHART EVERY FEW DAYS.  While it seems like it would not be difficult to remember your observations for a few days at a time, it most definitely is, especially when you are staring at blank boxes that were supposed to be filled out for the last few nights. Don’t ask me how I know this, just trust me on this. Nobody wants to have to use Instruction H on the back of the chart if they don’t have to…

     So what does that mean for your summer? Your Creighton chart is just as important as your toothbrush and deodorant, so pack your chart, stickers, and pen and chart at the end, of the day every day, even while on vacay!  

3.      Charting is still possible when spending all day swimming.  It occasionally comes up that it is “impossible” to make observations when spending all day at the pool or the beach, especially when a client is spending most of that time in the water.  It is most definitely possible to continue to make observations on those days! Due to the nature of cervical mucus, it does not get washed away by water, nor does it absorb into swimsuit material, which means mucus observations can be made before and after swimming, just like when using the shower.  So even if you are spending the whole day poolside/ lakeside/ oceanside, you can still make accurate observations to keep your chart on point!

     So there you have it, my 3 top tips for summer charting accuracy. If I had to add a fourth, I would say stick to your follow-up schedule with your FertilityCare Practitioner…having someone to help keep you accountable to your charting and expressed intentions can help you relax about your charting and enjoy your summer to the fullest. Happy Summer!