OV sticks or temping advice please

[booboomonster]

I've been reading a lot of posts on the conception thread with interest, and wishing everyone their BFPs!

I have a question. If I am going to try OV sticks or temping, can I do one or is it only worth doing both?

Background - I am TTC no 3, fell pg straight away with other 2. On 3rd month of TTC. Ordinarily I would just leave it to fate this early in trying, but my cycles seem to be all over the shop. Usually a bang on 29 day cycle, since TTC first month I had a 32 day cycle and this month am so far on 37 days, and counting (no AF as yet, but having done 4 tests am sure I'm not pg).

I am getting fed up with my body playing silly buggers - I've not come off the pill, or been breastfeeding, or had anything particularly that might have slowed down my cycle. I've had a stressful year after my Dad died, Xmas 2010, but my period has been regular until now. So I thought, to do something positive, I could maybe try temping. I'm less keen to do OV sticks as I seem to get nervous about peeing on demand/ end up making a mess (!) Also I am a bit worried about obsessing so much that my body resists getting pg!

So, would just doing temping be of some help? Or is OV sticks better, or both?

Any advice gratefully received...

I tried the ov sticks but found them useless. Never once got a positive result only showed hcg level once I was already pregnant convinced that I wasn't even ovulating! I would do temp charting if I was to ttc again. Good luck!

You can do either or both I think. I started using ov sticks last cycle and realised I was ovulating (at least the LH was up) much later than I thought I was. So already it's useful. I got the cheapo sticks off Amazon and they work fine for me, I think they were about £5 for 30.

I find the idea of charting pretty stressful - I don't have a regular wake up time in the morning, and I think it would just focus me even more on TTCing, which isn't what I need. We have been trying for 7 months now, and if we don't get pg in the next few I'll go to the GP and think about charting again, but I really don't want to have a reminder every day - I need to focus on other things to manage the stress really.

Thank you for replies.
I agree, philbee - charting would stress me out, though I can understand it would make it all clearer, and I admire those who can do it. Unfortunately I am a worrier and I don't think my body will respond well to the worry!

Maybe I should do temping and the sticks then - I know I ovulate latish, but obviously it varies. Though at the moment with an absent AF I am actually worrying about early menopause... (very unlikely as I am not that old but give me something to worry about, and...).
Good luck!

Terminology confusion - sorry. By 'charting' I mean 'temping'. You have to write it down somewhere, I assume on a chart, to see the temp elevation when you ovulate. Or perhaps I have misunderstood!

oh I see. Yes you are probably right, I haven't really thought it through. I suppose I was thinking I could just have a list of temps by my bed... as opposed to some very official looking scary chart.

I can't make head or tail of the charts on fertility friend, but I guess I haven't really spent long enough looking. But I guess they are the same! Clearly I don't know what I am talking about. Need to read up more!

Ugh, that's the problem with all this. Lots of homework and systems to understand and follow. I have a copy of the gargantuan 'Take Charge of Your Own Fertility' which people say they have found empowering. But whenever I start to look at it I open it at the page with the photos of the author's cervical mucus, feel sick, and put it away again. It doesn't seem all that empowering - just like another thing to have to think about and observe and note down. Anyway, that's just a moany moan because I am stuck in with sick DD and HAVEN'T LEFT THE HOUSE ALL DAY. Ahem.

your post made me laugh (which is pretty impressive today as am feeling miserably (hopefully otherwise what the hell is going on with my cycle) premenstrual). I did wonder about getting that book, as I am quite interested in the biology of it all, but sadly I too am squeamish and I think what you describe would definitely put me off!

I know, all the homeworky stuff is a chore. My problem is that me and DH are so knackered most of the time that I fear if we don't target the time it will never happen. My mother says 'just enjoy it' - but last month was bloody exhausting! I have relied on CM before but last month it was all over the place (not literally, sorry, don't want to add to your general nausea!).

I decided to go on a diet so that at least I am controlling one part of my life but the problem with that is that I can't have chocolate.

I know your pain about being in - though I have been out myself - it is bloody freezing outside so I don't recommend it. In fact, I have to go out in 15 mins to pick up my DD, and I could really just do with going for a long bath (am working from home). Hope your day gets better!

Hi BooBoo, had to reply because I'm in exactly the same boat - TTC No. 3, 1 and 2 happened straight away, this time, 4 cycles in and nada. I'm even using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor so know exactly when I'm o'ing. I think our problem is that we're simply not having enough sex! I've never tried temping because wake-ups are always driven by kids and I still quite often get interrupted sleep, but I'd recommend OV tests, just to help with timings etc. Good luck.

thanks Mummypirate, maybe I should do the sticks. I was put off by the cost of the clearblue, but I think the cheapies might be an option. It is a bugger isn't it? Just when you think there's one area you think works... But you're right, the sex has to be frequent. So many times I've suggested it to DH and he's just knackered. Not helped by the fact he's just started a new job, but the rejection plus the BFNs does get demoralising! Good luck to you too!

We get a bit of rejection around here too. :( What's helped lately is Katandkit's advice that she told her DP he didn't have to be involved, just had to put out three times a week during the relevant time period. We managed that last month without mishap. Because I'm doing the ov tests now this month it's been more like ramping it up (apologies) towards the suspected ov date and then attempting every day while I've got the line coming up on the test (which is about three or four days). DH seems happy with that. But it's very difficult making a move and being knocked back, even if you know it's just tiredness.

Glad I made you laugh though! I've been out to yoga now so feeling fairly chilled. Oh yeah...

Hi Boo I have been doing both from last cycle.
My chart is here. I found that OPKs and temping helped my to pinpoint OV. OPKs tell you in advance, where as temping confirms it has happened.

Thanks for the info, Pipbin - and I will check out your chart.

I now am freaking out however, as despite expecting AF to arrive imminently still no show. So, I did another test mid morning today and it's come up a very faint positive. Its a cheapy test (2 for £1 in asda) which I have never used before, and it actually says only 90% accurate on it. I guess I will have to wait and re test but if I am pg it is baffling as I know we last DTD 20 days ago which seems like a long time to wait. WTF!!!??

Wow just saw your chart - super impressive!