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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Temping- is this the right way to start?

30 replies

Wiggy29 · 11/04/2012 10:33

So AF arrived this morning after ttc for 1 month. This month I'm going to have a go at temping but can I just check I've got this right?

Each morning before you get out of bed/ do anything you take your temp. Then log it on something like fertility friend that will create a chart for you. When you get a rise of a couple of degrees (ish) it means you've probably ovulated. Ideally you'll have dtd just before hand but should do it again for a couple of days after. Over time you should build up a good idea of when you ovulate.

Is that right?

Any advice/ tips are welcome!

PS- I'm sure normally you wouldn't temp so early when ttc but for medical reasons we need to get a shift on so although I agree with advice 'be relaxed/ just enjoy' etc we need to be a bit more focused.

OP posts:

homeaway · 13/04/2012 11:08

Oh and do you have a thermometer that goes to two decimal places as that makes a difference .
Taking it internally can give more reliable results as if you sleep with your mouth open that can skew your temp.

homeaway · 13/04/2012 11:06

Have a look at toni weschler site called ovusoft, that is quite good. You can download a trial from there if you want (her book is a mine of info) .
If you still have af your temp will be high.
Key things to remember which probably have been mentioned already ( not read whole thread )
Take temp on waking before doing anything at all and take it at the same time, for each hour later you can adjust it by .??? ( have to check it when i get home ) . You have to have had at least 3 hours sleep .

Drinking can raise your temp the next day.

To reliably say that you have ovulated you have to have a temperature shift higher than the last 6 temps and cm has to have dried up and stay dry for at least a couple of days.

You will have a temp drop to warn you that af is on its way!

My preovulation temps are 36.35-.36.50 and post 36.60-37.00 so it can vary from person to person . I have been charting for a long time as a contraception . I dont bother taking temp when af is there .
HTH.

Pipbin · 13/04/2012 10:41

Oh, and it has to be the same time every day. Even when I'm off work I set my alarm for the same time as I would get up and go back to sleep after it's done.

Pipbin · 13/04/2012 10:39

Hi Wiggy
I have been using the Amazon cheap OPKs but if you want to buy them on the high street then you can get them from Wilkinsons. £3 for 5 if memory serves. Not as cheap but still cheaper than CBFM.

I temp and use OPKs which narrows down the point of ov for me. No good reason other than I like to know what is going on and charting gives me a sense of control.

blackcatsdancing · 13/04/2012 10:08

www.amazon.co.uk/Ovulation-Fertility-Test-Strips-Pack/dp/B001G7STT0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334307940&sr=8-2

i've used these in the past. you can buy in a 30 pack also.
Fertility friend as mentioned already has a course that will teach you loads
if you're currently on period you don't need to start on them yet. All tests will give advise on when to start testing.

Original poster

Wiggy29 · 13/04/2012 09:58

Maples- you're right about that, defo cheaper. It's surprising they don't offer it on the NHS really.

Have a little faith- I temped again this morning before I did anything and was 36.6 again. I'm going to buy a pack of OPK from the supermarket today and hopefully by the time I'm done with them my friend will have hunted out her CBFM.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

OP posts:

HaveALittleFaithBaby · 13/04/2012 08:03

I put all my data on to fertility friend which helps you get the idea of when you ovulate though be warned sometimes it changes it's mind! . There's a charting course on there too which helped me get my head around charting. I actually still set my alarm at weekends to temp but usually temp, go to the loo and go back to sleep! But otherwise you don't have an accurate chart. It does take some dedication but after a while it becomes routine!
I've had no joy with opks myself but you can get cheaper opks from supermarkets, about £8 a pack.

maples · 12/04/2012 23:28

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maples · 12/04/2012 23:27

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Original poster

Wiggy29 · 12/04/2012 23:06

Just had a look at the clear blue fertility monitor, it sounds great but I wish I could get it sooner, £60 seems steep though.

OP posts:

Original poster

Wiggy29 · 12/04/2012 22:52

Maples- was that apparent quite quickly or was it after a while that you noticed? Did you use Duo?

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Original poster

Wiggy29 · 12/04/2012 22:50

OMG! But not as much as Duo Fertility- £500! Yikes! Defo going to try a few months of the cheap sticks/ temping as a first port of call. My friend has a clear blue fertility monitor I can lend but not for a couple of months as it's in storage at the moment, do you know if they're any good?

OP posts:

maples · 12/04/2012 22:48

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Original poster

Wiggy29 · 12/04/2012 22:47

Blooming eck! You weren't joking about Boots being expensive! I'm going to have a look on Amazon. Daft question, but why don't they work for some people?

OP posts:

maples · 12/04/2012 22:39

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Original poster

Wiggy29 · 12/04/2012 22:34

I just searched OPK in boots website and it came up with some photo frames and some cribs! What should I actually do a search for? How expensive is very expensive and do the ones from amazon come with instructions? Do you have a link? Also (sorry for all the questions), is it ok to start now (on period at the mo) or is it advisable to start at a certain point in your cycle?

OP posts:

blackcatsdancing · 12/04/2012 22:30

yes some people have problems with OPks and it can be hard to catch the surge but even when i've missed it i've seen the line get darker then fade away again. They are well worth trying to see how you go.

blackcatsdancing · 12/04/2012 22:28

you can buy them in Boots /superdrug but they are very expensive bought that way. They usually arrive withing a few days from Amazon, the company has a fast despatch but yes i bought from Boots the first month. Full instructions come with them and brands vary . The egg doesn't last long- 12- 24 hours which is why OPks are useful. I think the window of fertility is said to be 6 days or less. Depends on numerous factors. If you're having sex every other day you're covered so don't worry too much!

maples · 12/04/2012 22:28

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maples · 12/04/2012 22:27

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Original poster

Wiggy29 · 12/04/2012 22:22

That's interesting blackcat, I read that the egg could be gone within hours etc which freaks you out as it makes that window of opportunity seem minuscule. Are there any shops I can buy OPKs from as would love to get started asap and then can always order cheaper ones online for next month. Do you just wee on them and do you have to do it at a certain time? I'm not really sure what they are!

OP posts:

blackcatsdancing · 12/04/2012 22:22

OPK = ovulation predictor kit. In other words a stick you pee on or stick in your urine. Buy a bumper pack from amazon and you can test daily or even twice a day when close to your fertile period (for pennies a day.)

blackcatsdancing · 12/04/2012 22:19

no need to DTD daily in order to get pregnant, if you want to then of course go ahead. Every other day is plenty. Sperm meets egg plan is over the top, watch out for so called fertility experts websites online which have no scientific backing!

blackcatsdancing · 12/04/2012 22:14

i'd back it up with super cheap OPks from amazon. They will tell you when you are likely to ovulate- usually in the next 36 hours. Temp rise 'confirms' you ovulated, useful for those who are unsure for whatever reason if they are every month . You are far more likely to get pregnant pregnant if you have sex the day before you ovulate or even 2 days before which is why getting to know your pattern is important. Obviously CM is a great indicator of fertility but not everyone gets egg white mucus, especially as you get older. I had very positive OPk yesterday, no temp rise today but i expect to see one tomorrow. My CM was cloudy yesterday, watery today (today i think i've ovulated).

Original poster

Wiggy29 · 12/04/2012 21:41

Cloudy- I'm afraid I can't answer this but fingers crossed for you, I'll be interested to hear the answer.

Tremolo- I started this morning and got 36.6 but had left thermonater in dresser and not by bed so had to dash across room to get it before hand so think that invalidates today. I'll start again tomorrow as it's now kept on bedside table.

Euro- thanks for tips, what are OPK by the way?

Purple- thank you too for advice, we dtd most days for about two weeks (but then missed crucial week due to work stuff etc) but I don't think I could keep up dtd every day as loses its spark and also (blush) ended up with thrush.

Thanks all, I'll let you know how I get on, any other tips are welcomed.

OP posts:

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