TTC February 2024 ✨

@PenguinOnTheMoon here's mine, they're pretty low and then suddenly increase. I tried to test twice a day this cycle once it started raising just to try and catch my 'true' peak. Sometimes they're only darker for a day but other cycles they will be dark for a few days it's always a bit different for me x

@ButterflySkies I'm with you on the symptom spotting! 3dpo today according to Premom.. my boobs are sore! I never seem to get sore boobs as a post ovulation/pms symptom. I'm sure it's just my body trolling me though 😂 it's going to be a long week 🥴

@KittyFantastica thank you so much for sharing this, this is exactly what I needed to see! I'll be more patient and give it another two days and see if it matches up with the solid smiley (thinking Tuesday which matches my app). If it jumps that quickly I should be able to catch it with my three plus a day opk IC habit!

Interesting the app scale went up to 1.9, but your peak's a little above one, so I've not got my expectations in order there either - so helpful thank you!

@PenguinOnTheMoon My surge was sudden! I was worried that my tests didn't seem to be progressing and assumed it would get gradually darker. I managed to catch it and it was back down to baseline within a day or two.

The peak on the OPK coincided with a peak on another OPK brand, CB tracker and CB monitor.

@RW269 well, here I go with symptom spotting, maybe it's going to be a longer week than I thought!! My nipples look bigger than usual (i got changed into pjs earlier!). Hubby has confirmed they do indeed look slightly larger 😂 so yes i think it will be a whole weekend of fairy parties to distract me 😂

@RWSS i think it looks like a decent line for where you are! I get it with the CPs, it's so so hard isn't it. Got everything crossed for you lovely xx

Question for those with more tracking experience...

I'm on CD15 of cycle 2 today, and had my flashing smiley appear from the evening of CD13 on the Clear Blue Advanced (bit later than last month, as had solid smiley on CD15 last month, but similar enough on timing on this bit...). I think this is oestrogen it's measuring on flashing smiley and LH on solid smiley.

This month I've also been using the Easy@Home LH strips for the first time, alongside the digital, but the T/C ratio is still so low (0.1-0.2). Is it usual to have such a low ratio potentially a day or two before ovulation day? Feels a long way off the test line being darker than the control line.

Can anyone give me an idea of their ratios in days leading up to peak in Easy@Home LH strips please? Was expecting a raise in the ratio by now....

Thanks!

@KittyFantastica thanks for reply.
Yeah I wasn't really testing same time every day but alot was fmw. I can't hold for 4 hours really any other time of day, might try though. I'm in work generally at the 10.30am times so not always practical...knowing my luck test could just fall out of somewhere on display....
It's confusing alright read also not to use fmw, and to use the same test stick with the display every month....I'm exhausted trying to keep up...
Got a circle today testing...thinking few on this aare same timing as me.....
I'm CD8 today coming into ovulation all that craic...thinking of yee all in tww...

@butterflyskies thank you x I really need to stop testing. This morning one was stronger but still not too strong for 14dpo. I've attached the pic- do you think its ok?
I'm gonna put it to rest and let my body take over.
It's so hard being pregnant after a cp. I'm emotional and sad when I should be excited. I'm reluctant to tell anyone as I fear I'll have another miscarriage.
I pray it gets better. Thank you for the support ❤️❤️

Hi @Noisinmaro

With the monitor (bigger machine), I've had peaks with FMU, however, both the monitor and the 4 day advanced tracker missed my ovulation on December. I was testing with both with FMU. The monitor, I think, does say to test with FMU, but several lovely people MN told me it can take a few hours for the hormone levels to rise for ovulation in the morning, so I started testing around 10:30 - 11:00 and didn't drink anything until after I'd tested. My results showed peak on both machines and both cheap OPKs I bought as a fault safe. I'd say, if you're not having much luck with FMU, definitely try leaving it later. I tested 3x a day with the cheapies to see if there was any variance and my lines were strongest mid-morning.

It can get quite expensive, so I buy opened/half used packs of sticks from eBay to keep the price down! Also got the monitor used off eBay for much cheaper.

@Noisinmaro this is on the website;

Only brand with a re-usable reader
If you have ovulation test sticks left after detecting your first LH surge then you can use them with the same test holder to identify your fertile days next cycle, if you're not already pregnant.

So i think you're fine to keep using it!

@babycandy dont give up hope!! Is it your first month using sticks? As you have a 21 day cycle maybe it's worth using ovulation sticks from a really early CD day and track the whole month? I dont think they're an exact science though...

@RWSS completely understand lovely - maybe try and test every 48 hours to allow HCG to rise?

@RW269 that sounds absolutely dreamie at the restaurant! Next weekend is worrying me, i have every other friday off with DD so it's three days to keep my mind at bay! All grandparents away, i would have taken us to one of theirs to get us out the house! May have to suggest to my SIL we go for a trip up there, and tolerate her barbed comments! Xx

@Ren0991 thanks for reply.
It does works after 48 hours from getting the static smiley. Won't work until 2 days after....
I used 2 sticks then got a sratic smiley never got flashing smiley.
So after 48 hours checked again back to circle.
I used the same test stick and tests start of the next month.

So i've a new 20 pack so say if I get my smiley 4 days in say how do I use the other 16 tests

@KittyFantastica I been going back over this thread and your comments, can I ask with the clear blue 4 day ovulation tests is it fmw or the second wee to test with? Or what do you do....
I'm thinking of getting the monitor thing you have...between preseed and ovulation tests , pregnancy tests, its a spendy activity this ttc.....

@Noisinmaro When the stick shows a steady smiley face, this shows for two days (the day before peak day and peak day) once this happens the test stick won't work with new tests so you have to use a new one for each cycle. Hope that makes sense😊

@Choc29 you should consider getting pre mom (app) where you can scan them and it saves images I don’t think I’ll keep them either but with the app I can still look back

Thank you ladies x did one today and def a line, somewhat stronger but I'm so worried. I had a cp in Oct and my lines at this stage were really strong.
I'm scared and anxious as I don't have any symptoms but feeling tired.
I'm 13 or 14 dpo.
I suffer from stage 4 endometriosis and only have one tube as one was removed as too damaged.

Any advice to help me?
Thank you ❤️

I’m feeling fed up! I’ve a feeling I’m not even ovulating.
im using ovulation sticks from Boots but last month I only had faint lines and so far since period last weekend, no lines.
im also on a 21 day cycle which makes me think I’ve no hope 😭

@CoolSummer89 thankyou so mutch. I've just downloaded the app and it's brilliant according to it it says tomorrow is most likely the peak and I've managed to log some symptoms and it matches up. I will try again tomorrow and see if it looks better.

@Choc29 i think you are testing at exactly the right time, and also good that your testing at same time for consistency. They say it should be between 10am and 8pm. Not in the morning as the hormone builds up during the day. Got my fingers and toes crossed for you

@CoolSummer89 thanks I'll have a look at the app. I'm useing MomMed tests from amazon, I think they are simular to easy at home. I'm wondering if I'm testing at the wrong time of the day but it's hard to test around work. X

I think it’s showtime for me. I am on CD10, have my cycle data in two apps and one thinks ovulation will be on CD14 and other on CD16. First time tracking BBT and OPKs.

Have some (other) fun things planned this week too, so trying to stay upbeat and relaxed. Best of luck to everyone 💞

@Choc29 are these the ‘easy@home’ tests? There is an app called premom which photos them for you and evaluates them and then predicts ovulation. It is free but as always there is a premium tier that you can sign up for which gives extra analysis. If for whatever reason this isn’t your month you could use it next cycle?

you may have had a rapid increase in LH and testing once a day didn’t catch the peak. However if you are usually 28 days, then does sound a bit early but cycles can change!

@Anonxo unfortunately not. I've just been putting them in the bin. I also always have 28 day cycles.

@Choc29 i think everyone is different do you have a photo of the line progression?

Hi I hope you don't mind me asking this on this thread. I think I ovulate early. I've been useing cheap OPKs from amazon this month. I started them on CD9 and that was the strongest line yet but I still wouldn't say completely positive. Since then they have gotten weaker and today CD14 and it was weakest one yet. I take them at the same time every day at 7pm after 4 hour hold and no drinks. I'm kinda hoping I did ovulate early as my husband is away for the weekend so we DTD early and hoped for the best. Is it normal to ovulate on CD9?

@RW269 we saw migration, I thought it was quite scary but she seemed to find it hilarious! oh good idea!! Thats on my list of things to do in the evening next week. I bet you feel better for it too!

Tomorrow i've decided we're going for breakfast, to the farm and then im doing a roast - definitely distracting myself 😂 How about you?

We need solid plans next weekend - that's when temptation is going to be high to test - at the moment it's wide open, eeeek!! Xx