After all the research that I have done online, and all the forums I have read, nearly everything I see says that you are supposed to count Cycle Day 1 as the first day of full period flow, not the first day of spotting. My obgyn had me count the first day of spotting as CD1, and I began taking Clomid days 5-9, based on this. However, on CD8 I started my full flow, and am having medium bleeding today (CD 10 by my obgyn's estimation). My husband and I are supposed to start trying for a baby CD12, and I will have just stopped, or still be at the end of, my period! I am so confused and concerned as to how this could effect my chances of actually ovulating, and if it will effect the egg. I called my obgyn's office and the nurse told me that it would be fine, and to still count everything on the same cycle as they previously told me. I just don't believe them! Please help!

Hi kristanene, welcome to AMHD!

It certainly can be confusing, as doctors themselves will sometimes give conflicting advice.

Thankfully it won't make too much difference as long as you begin actively trying after the last dose and continue frequently afterwards (you won't ovulate right away after the last dose, but best to have sperm ready and waiting when you do ovulate). Did your doctor also tell you ways to track possible ovulation? Are you being monitored by your doctor as well?

Thank you so much for your welcome, and your answer! I took my last Clomid yesterday, but as I'm still bleeding fairly heavy, we can't quite start just yet. My obgyn advised me to start on what would be CD 12, which is this Tuesday, so we're hoping my period will be over by then. I am charting my BBT daily and using ovulation tests daily as well. I have one child who is 5, who I had well before I was diagnosed with PCOS, so I am also familiar with the changes in my cervical mucous. We have tried for a couple months now, but this is the first month with Clomid, so I'm hopeful! I go back on CD 21 (November 10th)for them to run more blood tests, which I understand is a fairly common practice when you're on Clomid. Do you think the Clomid is still likely to be effective, since my last Clomid was taken yesterday, but from the look of things I'll probably still have my period for another couple of days at least? Again, thanks so much!

Hopefully you will find that you have ovulated this cycle. The progesterone check they do on cd 21 will give them an indication.

You will usually have a few days or so after the last dose of Clomid before ovulation may occur. Start trying whether you are still bleeding a bit or not.

Try not to get discouraged (easier said than done, I know!) if you find ovulation, or pregnancy, doesn't occur the first cycle. For some women it does, for many others they will need a few months, usually at a higher dosage.

Just as a side, did your husband have a sperm analysis done?

It is easier said than done, but you've really eased my mind SO much! Thank you! My husband did have a sperm analysis done. I'm not sure what the exact numbers were, but we were told over the phone when they called us with the results that his sperm count was on the low end of normal, but still within normal range, with great mobility.