Susan's Cycle: Day Number 1

Welcome to the first day of my fertility cycle, also known as the menstrual cycle. This incredible process is unique for each woman. Mine is an "average" 28-day cycle, although yours will probably vary by at least a couple of days. I recently learned that when tracking your fertility signals, and when discussing your cycle with your health care provider, you should refer to the first day of menstruation as the first day of your cycle. This is where we begin! There are four phases in the menstrual cycle: the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase and menstruation.

During the first day of menstruation (or "period"), I feel crampy, tired, bloated and a little out of sorts. Many women have a wide variety of symptoms when menstruating -- and some have different symptoms every cycle. Because I am having my period, we can be fairly sure that conception did not take place during my previous cycle. Now it is time for my body to begin the process again. This is the first month Tom and I will be trying to achieve pregnancy!

Want to see the big picture? Take a look at my chart to see the changes that took place during this cycle!

For more information about fertility and preconception, visit the March of Dimes Resource Center!

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