Talk to me about opks...

[funnylittlekaty]

Will they send me nuts? Did they work for you? How long have you used them for? Which ones do you use? What are pitfalls? Any thoughts gratefully received!

[loopylou1984]

Hi Katy

Opks have good and bad points.
I find it useful to know when I am likely to ovulate (note, a positive opk does not mean you have def ovd, only that your LH has risen in preparation) so that we can make sure we dtd that day.
I have used cheapie internet ones and a digital cb smiley face one. The cb is better in that it gives you high fertility days as well as a warning, but it is pricey. We've been ttc for 13 cycles now so I dread to think what I've spent! Lol. X

[funnylittlekaty]

Thanks. How many cycles were you Ttc before you started using them? Really hope you get your bfp soon! X

[Spanielpuppy]

Def use the cb smiley face v easy to use and read. To keep the cost down I used to buy the sticks on eBay.

However, they did send me crazy I used them for 8 cycles. I conceived 2 cycles after I stopped used them.

I've just started ttc again and I don't want to use them again. That's not to say they don't work well.

[loopylou1984]

Katy - I think I tried without for 6 months, so 7 cycles of using them now. Thank you, me too X

Spaniel - can I ask, did you conceive naturally after all those months of trying? X

[HairStylistToBoris]

I've used them for a couple of months, won't keep using them. Definitely helped me to learn my cycle. I used clear blue ones but it's expensive and it adds to the general stress - more poas and more over thinking everything. The nhs recommend dtd frequently and not over stressing. I'd think their usefulness depends on your budget, your personality and how much you know about the signs and symptoms of your cycle...

[Spanielpuppy]

Sammy yes completely natural after 3yrs. Days before my first IVF consultation.

[LastOneDancing]

I used internet cheapie OPKs for one cycle because I wanted to check I was ovulating.

Got my BFP DH was very annoyed that the 'trying' was so brief.

[loopylou1984]

Spaniel that gives me hope, we're on cycle 13 and I'm wondering if it will ever happen. X

[Brummiegirl15]

Katy I used the clearblue smiley face dual hormone ones. Got a BFP with them.

They are great as you know when the right time is. But they are expensive plus they can really add pressure. You must DTD tonight or that's it. It's tough having that pressure.