Irregular Periods & Potential Pregnancy: What to Consider

Question
I am 28 years old with 0 kids, and the date of my last "normal" period was Nov. 8.  I have had irregular periods for the last two years since quitting birth control pills ... anywhere between 30 and 50 days between periods.  Last month I started using a saliva ovulation predictor to help me figure out when I might be ovulating.  I started seeing a ferning pattern about 35 days after my last period.  The ferns lasted about 7 days (Dec. 11-18), during which my husband and I had unprotected sex on 4 different days (11th, 14th, 17th, 18th).  Then the ferns disappeared for 5 days , and reappeared during the 6 days before my period started (Dec. 24-29).  I stopped checking my saliva on Dec. 30 since my period seemed to be starting.  For the first two days of my period, the flow was extremely light ... barely noticeable on a panty liner.  Then it slightly increased and was bright red and mixed with mucous for about 2 days ... still leaving just a few dark spots of blood on a pad.  Then the flow again decreased to pinkish/brown stains on a liner for about 4 days.  My cramps are usually extremely painful, however this time they were very tolerable ... just coming and going during the first day or so.  I resumed testing my saliva on Jan. 4, and to my surprise, I have been seeing ferns everyday.  I surely can't be ovulating again already ... my cervix and cervical mucous show no signs of it.  During this past week, my breasts have not been extremely sore, but they have been aching occasionally.  I've also been extremely fatigued ... so tired that I've had to nap during the late afternoon on a few occasions.  From what I have read, implantation bleeding usually only lasts a day or so without any heavy/red bleeding, so I don't think I could be pregnant.  I have a bit of a cold right now ... stuffy nose and drainage, so maybe I'm just feeling the effects of a bug.  I'm still confused as to the ferning patterns I've been seeing in my saliva.  Do you have any ideas as to what's going on?

Answer
Checking of saliva is a very poor method of determining whether ovulation has occurred. Better methods are basal body temperature charting, assessment of cervical mucus for an "egg-white" consistency, or (the best method) use of an ovulation predictor kit or monitor. Try to calculate the length of your cycle (from the first day of your period until the first day of your next period) for three months. Ovulation usually occurs fourteen days BEFORE the first day of your period. If you have a 30 day cycle, ovulation occurs on cycle day #16. If yuou have a 35 day cycle, ovulation occurs on cycle day #21. Etc. If you really have a 50 day cycle from time to time, you may have to have your cycle regulated for awhile until it becomes more regular. If you have the early symptoms of pregnancy (breast tenderness, fatigue, nausea) take a pregnancy test and you will know for sure. I would not recommend use of saliva to determine ovulation time.