Basics of Charting and Lunaception
One of the biggest reasons I started the 30-day Naturally Balanced Challenge, was to give myself some accountability when it comes to making new habits. Charting is one of those that I often forget about, so hopefully talking about it constantly will get me back into the groove. Below I’ve listed a few of the articles we’ve published on Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness, and while the basis of the articles is about conception, charting also helps us to figure out what’s going on with our hormones. If one part of our phase is to long or to short, it can mean different herbal advice or different dietary needs to fix the issue.
So one of my goals this month is to make sure I chart my temperature each morning at the same time.
- The Basics
- Charting Your Temperature
- Cervical Fluid
- Cervical Changes
- Secondary Symptoms
- Frequently Asked Questions about Charting
photo credit: davedehetre
Lunaception
Thanksgiving day is kind of an odd day to start a challenge, huh? I know. But I also know that by practicing lunaception, I can help to regulate my hormones naturally, and the new moon starts tomorrow, so it’s an easy day for me to get on track.
Lunaception is basically the practice of balancing hormones by controlling the light in the room where we sleep. You see, much of our hormone production is done at night, and light int he room signals certain ones to be released. In the far off past, before electricity, women usually cycled with the moon as the full moon and it’s extra light signaled their bodies to ovulate.
full moon – signals ovulation new moon – menstruation
Since I’m coming off a miscarriage and as of last Friday still have hcg in my system, I’m going to focus on balancing my cycle with the moon cycle. To do so -
- Sleep in complete darkness starting November 24 (2011). This means covering up alarm clocks and windows that allow in any artificial light. Absolute darkness is best, but if you live in an area where there are no outside lights (in the boonies) you don’t have to be as picky about covering the windows. If you often get up at night to use the restroom, place dim nightlights in the hallway and bathroom and refrain from turning on overhead lights.
- Starting on December 9 (2011), the day before the full moon, allow a small amount of light into the room. Natural moon light through a window is best, otherwise try and find a very white, yet dim nightlight for your room.
- Three days later, on the 12th go back to sleeping in complete darkness until the next full moon.
- Grab a calendar and mark the first day of your last period as day one.
- Counting out to day 14 – that day you begin to sleep with a small light and continue for two more nights.
- Go back to sleeping in complete darkness.
*If you have a 28-30 day cycle, just keep following your cycle and on days 14-16 sleep with a small amount of light in the room.
*If you have a long cycle, you’ll want to number your calendar only to 30, and then even if your period doesn’t show up, start numbering again at one, and sleep in light on days 14-16 again. It may take a few months, but eventually your cycle should match. (much more effective when you’re making dietary changes as well)
My biggest issue will be covering the alarm clock…..my husband like to be able to see it at all hours of the night.
Have you regularly charted before or ever used lunaception to regulate your cycle?
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About donielle
Donielle is an amateur herbalist and natural momma to two littles (with another babe in heaven) after dealing with infertility. She has a passion for nourishing nutrition, natural living, and spreading the word on how food truly affects our health. Her blog Naturally Knocked Up focuses on fertility and reproductive health and her book on natural fertility will be available in June 2012. She also runs a local blog (Grand Rapids Natural Living) and is active the local community in order to provide the area with resources and information for natural families.
I feel like such a ditz! I didn’t know I had to take my temperature at the exact same time every morning…my kids wake me up at either 6:30 or 7 every morning…hmmm…
Thank you for this series!
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I’m looking forward to getting into the lunaception stuff. I know of some research on it – chiefly CCL’s studies from the 1970s – which showed substantial gains in women with irregular cycles (really long or really short) or anovulatory cycles, alleviated spotting at odd times and higher progesterone levels in the luteal phase. Basically, improved gynecological outcomes across the board. Who would’ve thought that could be possible from blocking out light which you sleep!
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I charted back when my husband and I were first married, before we even started trying to have children. But my cycles never showed any patterns and I got frustrated and eventually got out of the habit. I really wish I would have kept going, though, since now, after 4 years of trying, it would be a useful reference. But you have inspired me to start again! Think I’ll go sign up for Fertility Flower…
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Red light interferes less with you sleep cycles so if you wake at night (breast feeding or bathroom) use a red light if needed. Lunaception has proven very helpful in regulating my cycles and along with help from my naturopath to balance my hormones.
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Hi,
Would wearing an eyemask at night count as sleeping in complete darkness? I pretty much do sleep in darkness mostly. I do live where there aren’t many streetlights and i only have a red color alarm clock on the other side of the room and a glowing greenish light kind of thing in the open-area bathroom. I can unplug the night light, but I am the one who likes to know what time it is if i wake up in the night. Altho i suppose i can keep my phone in the drawer by my bed.
But what do you think also about all the smart phone/wireless technology being near you and on at night?
what would be best? Eyemask?, or unplugging everything?
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donielle Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
@Jennifer, Supposedly, the body still knows there is light. So complete darkness works best. But an eye mask is second best.
And I’m not certain that sleeping with cell phones is particularly safe.
I don’t like mine in my room and I may start turning off our wifi at night.
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I have just started charting and it has helped me to understand my cycles so much better. I would recommend it for anyone!
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I’ve been charting for well over a year now, but lunaception is new to me. And it’s fascinating! Thanks for the info.
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This is stupid but ihave always been afraid of the dark. I can deal but my hubby works overnights a few days a week so light is really comforting. Ironically i always have had 35 day or longer cycles and have gone months without a period during times of stress (ironically though got my period back at 3 mo pp despite ebf and cosleeping ugh!). Also since going off the pill in ’07 after taking it for 3 yrs, my cycles have never regulated. What can I do? Thx
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donielle Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
@L, I guess maybe find some ways to be comfortable in the dark…? I dunno. :-/ Like have a lamp close by, or flashlight. Or leave a light on in the bathroom so you know there will be light as soon as you open your door.
I do understand not being comfortable with sleeping when your husband is gone, Todd worked second shift for a couple of years. I got a dog.
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Thanks! I have a dog but she wouldn’t hurt a fly lol!
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donielle Reply:
December 3rd, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@L, I got a rottweiler.
He’s a huge baby, but other people don’t know that!
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