OPKs

[raspberrytipple]

With 4 weeks now until my consultant appointment where we will hopefully be referred for IVF, I've decided we will give it a blummin good go this month. CD1 today so thought I'd buy some cheapy OPKs. My cycles are a little bit erratic and I have a CBFM but gave up using it a while ago as it just wasn't really helping.

Anyway, there are loads of OPKs on amazon, which should I get and how often/how should I use them? i.e. time of day, once or twice a day and from when? Never used them before so any advice welcome!

I've been using the Internet cheapy opk's and just can't get on with them. Have tried all different times of day. CM signs are all good and would indicate ovulation but opk's say no. So I think they've just been more stress than good!
The ones I had were one step ovulation tests. General concensus is test around 2pm and later at night again. And try and not have a wee for a couple of hours before you test.

Hi raspberry!

I never got on with the cheap OPKs, I liked the clear blue ones with the smiley faces :) best but they don't come cheap! I dunno if you had no joy with the cb monitor if the OPKs will be much the same? If you do, the hormones peak about 1-2pm and you shouldn't wee for four hours before you do them!

Hi Havealittlefaith! and thanks both. I'm not so sure now whether to part with the money to be honest and peeing at 2.00 p.m. will be a pain in the rear what with work. One month isn't going to make a huge difference after three years so I think I'm just going to kick back and have lots of laid back sex and listen to my body rather than play around with sticks desperately hoping for a line :)

3 times a week every week is probably the best way to catch the right moment!

Yeah I know, I guess I'm just clutching at straws to get that cliche of getting pg just as we were about to be referred. Crazy isn't it 😏

I've been there! I did like the clearblue ones, something great about getting a :) that tells you it's time to shag! But the month I got diffed we had abandoned all menthods and it went alone the lines of its about the right time, do you fancy it? I'd charted and used OPKs so long and knew it was about the time I ovulated. We dtd on CD11, I saw EWCM cd12, I got a BFP! Weird how these things happen.

On the other hand, we were told IVF was our best chance of conceiving but my BMI was too high to meet criteria (it was 31 and needed to be under 30) so I'd been exercising a lot more, low carbing and lost half a stone in about 3 weeks. I talked to my GP and we agreed that probably wasn't coincidence!

I used Amazon cheapy ones - they cost about £5 for 30 tests & were rates 4 star - sorry am on phone & can't link. I like the strips as you can see the LH line getting stronger & I feel it gives you more of an idea what's going on in your body.

I only test 1st thing in the morning & as it's impractical at work to test during the day.

My recipe for TTC is to bd every 2nd day from end of period, until 2 days after opk is positive. Then have the rest of the month off!

I've just found out I'm pregnant for the 4th time.....