OPKs: cheapies or Clearblue

[WendlaBergmann]

We've been TTC for baby number 2 about 9 months now. We've had 2 EMCs in that time.

Before Christmas I bought some OPK tests from Amazon, just the oft recommended cheapies, but I dont seem to be getting any clear results. I got a faint line on CD12 which got no darker - today on CD17 no line at all now, but stabbing pains on my right side, which normally come around ovulation.

This month we've all had shocking coughs and colds so sex has been firmly off the table, but I'm confused. I thought a positive was supposed to be a line as dark as the control.

Has anyone tried the Clearblue digital at all? It's come up on my Groupn for £10 off and I was thinking that might give a properly clear result. It's expensive though so I was wondering if anyone had any advice or experience with either what I'm doing wrong with the OPK strips or Clearblue

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I found the cheapie OPKs really hard to read - I did the Clearblue digital alongside cheapies for a couple of months to help me get used to reading them.

[powerpuffer]

With IC I used to test daily until the line was obvious and then test three times a day to catch the positive. I'm sure if I were only doing it once a day I would have missed the positive. Maybe up your usage of them? They are so cheap that it doesn't matter if you get through lots.

Im skeptical of the Clearblue as it recommends FMU and only once a day - to me that feels like it would miss a peak? Plus everyone seems to get numerous high days before a peak which I know would put the pressure on DH. I much preferred seeing a line darken myself and judge how close I was to ovulating so I could focus DTD near that time, in conjunction with a tracking app. I also hated the idea of peeing on such expensive sticks daily when IC were so much cheaper and to me gave me more control.

I'm sure others opinions will vary - you have to find out what fits in best with your lifestyle and roll with that I think.

[OfficerMeowMeowFuzzyFace]

Obviously different people will have different experiences but I've got on really well with the Clear Blue (though I'm not pregnant!) - I get a peak reading each month, and I like also getting the high readings. They are expensive, but for me it's worth it just because you don't have to do them in the afternoon - I don't understand how everyone else is managing it at work! I've never used the cheap ones, but when I see other people post them in this thread I find it hard to see what they're seeing, so I don't think they're for me. I've been using them for four cycles (this is cycle 7 for us) and I'm temping for the first time this cycle, so it'll be interesting to see if/how it all lines up - I got my peak reading this morning so I'll report back!

[MrsCharlieD]

I highly recommend the cb ones. I did get positives on the cheapies but I think because the couple of days running up to it weren't clear I missed my most fertile days and ended up just dtd on my positive day. We were ttc number 2 for 7 months. I eventually caved and bought the clearblue ones and I got caught the first month of using them.

[GreedyDuck]

I can't be doing with ics, my line just never seems to darken enough.

Whereas out of the two months I have actively tried to conceive using the dual hormone CB ovulation tests I have conceived both times. Given that I'm 42 this seems to be pretty good going.

With regards to missing your peak as you only test with FMU, the instructions actually state that once you have a flashing 'high' smiley, you can then test more than once a day.

I used six sticks the first month I conceived (ended in a mmc at 8 weeks unfortunately), and five this month and I now appear to be pg again, although it's v early days. So a box of twenty sticks could last you 3 or 4 months if you're lucky, which makes them a bit less spendy. I do have a very regular cycle mind you.

[Westnorwood]

The IC drive me mad. Mine never seem to go dark enough, clear blue you don't have that issue.
I have tried both this month, clear blue I am on the third peak day and ic have gotten lighter. So more confused than ever.

[WineAndTiramisu]

I've been trying the cheap Amazon ones, and did realise half way through that I wasn't leaving them long enough... Thought they were all negative until I left one out whilst I had a shower!

[Emma2803]

Also advised not to use fmu for ics. Recommended to test between 10am and 8pm. I got intense positive result with ic when I conceived my lb so am using again this time round too.