Maaan... I keep having this "gearing up" like AF is coming every month, and then--- Nothing. I get cramps, I bloat, and get other signs that AF is coming... and nothing. I don't know why that frustrates the daylights out of me, but it just does. AF is usually back by now after baby, and she's not... it's bugging me. I'm expecting that when we take our next road trip and are out in the middle of NOWHERE *then* she'll show; totally out of the blue and me totally unprepared. :( OKay... that's it... I just needed to vent and get that out there......

If you're worried about her catching you by surprise, then I would encourage you to chart your signs and take temps. Then you'll see what's going on. :)

My first PPAF didn't take me by surprise at all, because I confirmed ovulation and then estimated when she would come, based on my usual LP length. She showed up on the exact day that I predicted.

Or you can just carry supplies at all times, if you want. Have you ever tried a menstrual cup? The DivaCup is really small, it can just go right in your purse. No trouble really to keep it with you.

Yeah, I had AF well before I was ovulating after Eliya... :-/ How do I tell by charting if I don't ovulate?

Yeah, I had AF well before I was ovulating after Eliya... :-/ How do I tell by charting if I don't ovulate?

Hmmm...I guess that you can't really predict as well, if they're annovulatory bleeds. If you have a buildup of CM, you may want to keep supplies handy, though.

Sorry to not be of more help!

Or you can just carry supplies at all times, if you want.

That's a good idea, Ruth. I always kept extra supplies in the car so my daughter and I wouldn't be taken by surprise.

Yeah, keeping supplies handy in a purse or backpack sounds like a good idea! AF is nowhere in sight for me either but that is normal so I don't know what to tell ya. Every baby/recovery is different!

i'm sorry i'm laughing at you right now. usually people complain about AF coming LOL NOt NOT coming hahahaha. but yes, I can see your frustration in all of it!

Hi Jen,
Just throwing this out there.... may or may not be helpful to you.

After the birth of my youngest AF stayed away for the longest for me, over a year. When she did return and since then, she has become very unpredictable. I feel your frustration as I often get all the symptoms (cramps, bloating, some PMS) but she doesn't arrive at all that month. Other times she shows up with no warning. Some cycles are light and easy, others are long and terrible.

Also, as your dds approach puberty you may well find that their hormonal shifts affect yours. This can begin to happen even before they actually start having cycles. It did for me.

I've yet to get any good help from the docs, other than recommending the pill- which isn't for us. Some folks have a long, slow descent into peri-menopause and I seem to be among them.

It is incredibly frustrating though!