First-timer needing help with ovulation sticks - anyone??

[RevoltingPeasant]

I am going to ttc number 1 either next month or month after. I'm currently measuring when I normally ovulate as have no idea and I thought it'd be useful to track for a month or so beforehand. DH and I have some difficulties with sex which mean that ttc may be hard for us, so I'm trying to track the best time for us to try to maximise chances!

So a friend of mine recommended ovulation sticks. She uses a brand called Conceivex. She just got pg using them and so she gave me her unused ones. Only, she didn't leave the instructions and I am not sure if I am using them right or what the results mean.

I peed on the end - tmi, sorry - and in the little window a dark pink line appeared a few minutes later. The window as a T and C at opposite ends and the link was in the middle ish but closer to the C. Any clue what this means?

Thanks for help!!

[RevoltingPeasant]

Sorry, the line was in the middle not the link...

[Hannahlouise4026]

Hey, I am not sure about the ones you have but most opk sticks work in the same way, basically there will be a control line which always shows up after you pee on it and then another line which will show up darker than the control line during your lh surge. The lh surge indicates you will ovulate in the next 12-48 hours and during this time is when you are at your most fertile (it's a good idea to have sex a few days either side of the surge also, as the sperm can live for 3-5 days inside you) note that the presence of a second line does not indicate your lh surge the second line must be darker or of equal darkness of the control line. I hope that makes sense! It's a good idea to try it for one cycle so you are aware roughly when you ovulate so that the next uncle you can time intercourse as close to this as possible.

If your finding them a little confusing trying to decide whether the 2nd line is darker (I know I did) then you may find the clearblue digital ovulation kit easier to use. Basically instead of having to compare lines it pops up with a smiley face during your lh surge so that way you know for definate the surge is happening. They are pretty pricey (around £30 for 20 sticks - a months supply) but you may get them cheaper online and to me they are worth the extra £ just for the reassurance!
Also it's a good idea if you are trying the sticks you already have them out this month to test twice a day, as your surge can be really short and only testing every 24 hours can mean you may miss the surge. I usually do one first thing and them one around 6pm just to cover all bases.

If you have a 28 day cycle it's best to start testing around day 9-10 until you get the surge, most ovulate on day 14 if you have a 28 day cycle.

Hope that helps, as I say I think they are a great idea! I got my smiley 8 days ago so hoping to do a preg test next week. Fx'd for a bfp! X

[Hannahlouise4026]

cycle not uncle...excuse the wful spelling/grammar

[RevoltingPeasant]

Hannah that is so helpful, thank you!!!

So just to be clear - I will be day 14 tomorrow - but the LH surge could be any time from day 9... So I might have missed it for this month but I'll try again next month I guess!

Thank you :)

[RevoltingPeasant]

And good luck for your test - hope it is a bfp!!!!

[Hannahlouise4026]

No problem, they used to confuse me too but this past couple months they have really helped to pin point ov.
If you are cd 14 there is still time for you to ovulate if you haven't already, for example my cycle is usually 29-30 days and I presumed I ov on day 14 but after using the sticks I have had the surge on day 15for the past couple months meaning I probably ovulated on day 16. It really depends how long your cycle is, if its less than 28 days you possible could have already ovulated before cd 14.
Hope they are successful for you, good luck in ttc x