We're using the cycle beads to count days in my wife's cycle which
would identify the fertile days etc.// The key to that system is being
very accurate as to exzctly the first day of bleeding in each monthly
cycle.  So here's our deal... My wife will have a day (let's say
Monday) of very light bleeding then no bleeding or cramps  at all for
4 or 5 days until about "Friday" when she'll have 2 to 3 days of heavy
bleeding, then it's all over by Sunday.  So... is our first day
"Sunday" or "Friday".  Thanks in advance!!

Hi ceknox1,

The first day to count in your example is Friday, , unless Monday is
heavy enough for her to feel concern and use a tampon or pad. The
first day of bleeding is the first day of "flow," --not spotting.

This link is from "Fertility Friend" --a whole site developed to
assist women and couples in using natural contraception.

Fertility Friend - How to Observe  and Record Your Fertility Signs
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/HelpCenter/FFBook/ff_fertility_signs.html
THEIR MAIN PAGE: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/
..."Spotting: Record "spotting" when you have any pink or dark
red/brown spots that leave a small mark on your underwear or
pantyliner or that you only see when you wipe. If it does not require
a pad or tampon, record it as spotting rather than menses. You may see
spotting before or after your period, around the time of ovulation or
around the time of implantation if you conceive. Do not start a new
chart until you have red flow...

...Menses: When you record "menses" you can choose light, normal and
heavy. Always start a new chart on your first day of menses. That is
the first day that you have red blood flow that requires a pad or
tampon. This is cycle day one. Fertility Friend will automatically
start a new chart for you when you enter menses.


These are also fantastic pages, I'm sure they would be compatible with
using the cycle beads.

Shared Journey
http://sharedjourney.com/articles/chart.html
Print the form, I doubt they get better than this example.
FORM: http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/fam.htm#how-fam-works

Fertility Awareness - Natural Family Planning
http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/fam.htm#how-fam-works

Thanks for using Google Answers!  If I can be of further assistance on
this topic, please don't hesitate to ask via the "ask for
clarification" feature..


~~Cynthia


Search terms used at Google:
cycle starts "first day of bleeding" flow spotting (various combinations)

thanks so much for the great answer!!!

ceknox1,

Thanks SO Much for the kind words, 5 stars, and your Generous Tip!!!!

I'm very pleased and gratified you found my Answer useful, and
satisfactory. Thanks for choosing and using Google Answers for your
question...  Please use us again!!

~~Cynthia