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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.

Original poster

Did OPKs not work for you?

13 replies

TerrysNo2 · 26/10/2010 12:00

Second month of using them and still nothing more than the merest line on them. Last month I tested daily from CD10 - 23 (26 day cycle) and so far this month, 2 a day from CD7 - 11 (today).

I am getting very disheartened each time I use them so I just want to know if anyone else had the same problem?

Should I stop using them?

Thanks!

OP posts:
AnnamariaHun · 26/10/2010 13:04

Hi Terry
im using clearblue ovulation monitor and also bought some cheap One Step Ovulation Strips from Amazon and they both seem to be working.
Sorry i can't give you any advice
Have you ever detected ovulation with any OPK?

Original poster
TerrysNo2 · 26/10/2010 13:08

Nope - but only been using them for these last 2 cycles.

OP posts:
Teds77 · 26/10/2010 14:24

I did read a MN post recently about someone who ovulated on CD6 (I think) - I don't know how common that is?

Also some people recommend using the cheaper OPKs so that you can do two tests a day and not miss the 'surge'. This would mean you could SWI more promptly (!) but assume you would still get a line/+ even if your testing wasn't so timely.

Sorry if not much help!

rosieposey · 26/10/2010 16:33

I dont often get positive opks as my sugre is really short - i have to test at least twice a day from lunchtime to see my surge and it isnt always on the same day either.

I am now using the Clearblue fertility monitor and i followed the intstructions about setting the time so i could use a first thing in the morning sample - bad move! I didnt get a high that first month but i double checked with an opk and saw the surge on that so i had to set my monitor for the afternoons and hold my wee for a good 4 hours before testing - this is working for me as for the last two months i have had highs always in the afternoons - if your only testing with opks in the mornings or once a day then i would consider maybe testing twice a day at lunchtime and teatime - my surges last no more than 3/4 hours usually but i have caught it.

brokeoven · 26/10/2010 16:36

Terry, me too, i get the faintest of lines and i check twice a day from day 4 till day 20ish, some months i get nothing at all, yet i get the most awful ovulation pains.

Dont get it either, im going to give up when ive used them all up.

Just going to SWI every other day from day after my period ends till its due again.

sigh 11 months down the line now Sad

rosieposey · 26/10/2010 17:12

I meant to say, i dont get strong lines either - the only opk that seemed to work for me was the clearblue digital that give you smiley faces - i have had the ones from ebay (internet cheapys) and they hardly ever had a strong line - maybe about twice. I have done a clearblue digital and got a :) then at the same time an internet plastic coated one (like the ones you get in asda) and the second line was rubbish - certainly nowhere near as strong as the test line, have either of you tried the clearblue digis? Again i recommend using them in the afternoon.

SWI'ing every other day is a good idea (if you have the energy) and will hopefully do the trick at some point - i have been amazed to see just how difficult it is to get pregnant since i have been trying for this one.

GetDownYouWillFall · 26/10/2010 18:03

Are you BBT charting as well? Your temp charts should confirm that you are in fact ovulating by showing a temp increase. OPKs and BBT charting are best used together to maximise your chances...

Original poster
TerrysNo2 · 26/10/2010 22:03

Thanks all, am BBT-ing too but not so helpful obviously as its after ovulation! DH and I are trying to SWI every other night atm. Its a fun excuse!! Wink

OP posts:
Vics79 · 29/10/2010 10:39

Hi Terry, I tried using OPKs and it caused me a lot of stress as I never got a surge. Luckily I was monitoring bbt which showed I did ovulate that month. I still thought I wasn't producing the right hormones though! But low and behold I got pregnant that month. I was discussing OPKs with a lady who has 3 kids and they never worked for her either. In taking charge of your fertility book the author does make a case for not using them. Monitoring cervical fluids and bbt will give you just as much clue to when you are fertile.

BrassicaBabe · 29/10/2010 10:49

Hiya

I buy boxes of CB digi ov tests from ebay. Then you can buy them in boxes of 20! Grin

In order to catch the Smile I have to pee on them a lot! Stuff this FMU thing. I tend to go with 11am, 2pm, 5pm and maybe 8pm if I'm feeling like it! That's the only way I can catch a single Smile

I take my BBT too which of course only tells you after the event. Which is why I like the OPKs too.

kat2504 · 29/10/2010 13:53

I think you are starting and finishing testing too early perhaps? Start on cd9 and continue till cd14 and you ought to catch it by then. I always thought I ov'd on cd12 and expected opk to be pos on cd11 but the last two cycles I have been at least one, if not two days later.

I find the digis too pricey, the online cheapies too hard to interpret the test line. The best are the tesco 7 for 7 quid sticks. I got good clear second lines which were clearly darker.

kat2504 · 29/10/2010 13:54

sorry missed that you had tried till cd 23 one cycle. Hope you catch it this time!

AgentPoorlydisguisedVampire · 29/10/2010 16:24

I had a good experience with online ones, and i discovered i ovulate on cd6. Never tried the clearblue ones though, they appear to be good if rather pricey by all accounts.

Fingers crossed for you!

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