Test timing- count dpo or when AF is due??

[twogirlsandamessyhouse]

Hi all, hope you can help me from going slowly insane... My cycles are generally 28-29 days, started using OPK's and charting this month and I think
I ovulated around day 19... So do I count days since I ovulated or days til AF is due (which should be tomorrow) when testing? POAS this morning was bfn, but despite AF being due tomorrow I'm only 8 dpo! So kinda early for a test... Not sure if I should bother again tomorrow... (if no AF) What do you think?

Hi twogirls

I am no expert but it does take a few cycles of temping and using opk's to establish your own pattern. The one to watch for is your luteal phase (from ovulation to AF starting) as this generally stays the same each cycle. So say you ovulate on CD14 and your luteal phase is 14 your overall cycle will be 28. If however one cycle you ovulate late at say cd18 plus your luteal phase of 14 means the actual day your AF would be due would be cd32 and not be late. I have ovulated anywhere from cd10 and cd16 - which was a big surprise to me! Temping has been a real eye opener.

It is good news that your cycles are regular, that means it shouldn't take you long to work out your own patterns.

Good luck!

Agree with greenlizard, you need to get to know your luteal phase. The pre-ovulation phase of your cycle can be variable, so you need to know how long your luteal phase is so that you can accurately predict when AF is due. A normal LP is anything from 10-16 days, but most women are pretty consistent with their LP. A LP of less than 10 days can be an indicator of a cycle problem.

Can your LP change over time? With DD2 (now 3 1/2) my LP was 10 days. My cycles were longer then, and more irregular (30-36 days) but the LP was always 10 days sometimes 11...

My cycles were usually between 26 days and 28, I had a 14 day lp phase, and usually ovulated day 12-14. The cycle I got pregnant though I ovulated late on day 17, I tested 10 dpo was negative, I didn't retest then till 13 dpo and it was posative. So I do think whilst some women get posatives st 8dpo, for others its simply too early, retest again in a couple of days x

Your LP can move a day or two. My usual LP is 15 days, but since I've been on fertility drugs (Clomid and FSH injections - not at the same time!), it has varied between 13 and 16 days.

Thanks everyone, no AF today, so just trying to be patient!

Just an update, I got a positive test this morning... Woo hoo!

Congrats