So ladies... I hate to sound like to only one who doesn't know what's going on but I'm going to anyway. Help me please with the abbreviations first.
DPO- Days past ovulation
CM- Cervical Mucus
CD- ?
POAS- Assuming preg. test or something but unsure
BCP- Birth Control
Can't remember them all, but if someone could point me in the right direction or explain for me I'd really appreciate it.
Now for the stuff I'm really, really want to know. Okay, so the first time I concieved it was a surprise. So I have no clue about all of these tests. I've learned how to do the basic calendar yesterday. Once I charted it all on Excel, I've notice my period shifts like every three months... So obviously, I should take be taking temps and testing for ovulation, and all that stuff. But I don't really understand all of this. First, I'm not sure if I should go the less expensive route on the ovulation kit thingys, buy middle of the road, or should I splurge and buy the one that does all the work for you. Which tests are the most accurate, what do you all use? Then checking my CM, and basal and such... Anyone can explain that would be cool. Or attach a link and I'll read. Then I was reading about this stuff called Preseed, anyone have any recommendations for that type of thing?
Any advise or tips are very appreciated... even for the stuff I may not have asked about.
Thanks Ladies

CD - Cycle Day
POAS - Pee on a stick

And sorry no idea, we're doing it the simple day with doing it by our AF

Hi Superp123, firstly welcome and good luck with ttc.

WARNING REALLY LONG POST!!!
You know the abbreviations now for the other stuff, im no expert but been ttc for 9 months now and i only started using all the 'tools' a few months back and wishes id used them much earlier, maybe id have been preg by now, i seemed to waste months as didint ever know i was actually ovulating and so guessed and got it all wrong, so think it def helps to know where you are in your cycle.

I use the Clear Blue ovulation kits,ive used the normal clear blue ones and basically look at the date son back of pack for when to start peeing on the sticks and maybe over lap by a couple of days to avoid misisng your time and then just pee on a stick every morning with your first wee of the day and see if you get 2 lines. The control line is the one that always comes up and the 2nd, the test line should come up as dark as the control line or darker. As soon as you get the 2 lines it means youve reached your surge which is your warning about 48hrs before you ovulate, so you can have lots and lots of sex for the next couple of days and fingers crossed youll get a bfp (big fat positive!!). I started using the clear blue digis this month as bought some off ebay (£8.00 less than in boots) and they simply give you a smiley face when you are due to ov and a blank face if youre not. Easy .

Ive just started to monitor my temp aswell just to make sure im oving and youre meant to have a very slight rise in your temp just before you ov and then it peaks after you ov'd and then stays raised for like 14-18 days after if youre preg, if youre not it drops back down me thinks.You need a thermometer with 2 decimal points to minitor your temp though as its only minor changes youll notice. Get a basal body temp thermometer, mine was £2.00 incl postage off ebay., do it forst thing in the mornign before you get up or dirnk anything etc, its meant to be your resting temp, so keep it by your bed or something.
The other thing is cervical mucus (discharge) and thats meant to get stretchy and slipeery like egg white when youre due to ovulate and mine does that exactly but to be honest i dont really monitor it as such i just usually know i am becasue i monitor all the other things and then notice that my discharge is all clear and strecthy too.
Hope this helps, so sorry for the extremely long post !!! x

Heres the lingo....
BabyandBump Lingo & Abbreviations

Hey girls. I did some reading last night in the TTC section and found a lot of my questions aswered. Thank you though. Very good information and opinions in this place. Franjipan thank you for the long post. I was thinking of getting the same monitor, just wasn't sure. This all still feels a little strange for me. I appreciate that you took the time to hold my (a new girl) hand.
Any way, Thanks again.