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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.

Flip

Original poster

Don't want to be ripped off by OPK

13 replies

Beccadugs · 08/04/2013 22:05

Hi mumsnetters,

I'm very new here and just starting the ttc journey! I am a self confessed control freak, and already ahve a nice stash of OPKs in the bathroom cupboard.

Basically they are quite expensive, and I don't really want to start using them on cycle day 6, or whatever the packet suggests as I have a fairly long cycle. I usually ovulate between days 18 and 20, I know this as I suffer quite badly from micklesmerts (sp) (ie have the pain today and positive OPKs) should I start testing a few days before I think I am due to ov, and Dtd plenty in the run up or will the OPKs only tell me once I have ovulated...

I'm a bit confused and possibly overthinking things!

OP posts:

orangepudding · 08/04/2013 22:09

I don't think you need them. You know roughly when you ovulate, I would have sex every other day from day 16 until about 22.

EuroShaggleton · 08/04/2013 22:13

I agree. I also have a regular cycle and feel ovulation. I used OPKs for a couple of months to confirm that everything was lining up (+ve opk followed a couple of days later by ov pain) and then stopped. You really don't sound like you need them.

WakeyCakey · 09/04/2013 10:35

I agree with the others. I use opk's because my cycles have every varying lengths. If you already know when you ovulate then I wouldn't use them.
Good luck TTC!

EuroShaggleton · 09/04/2013 10:47

"or will the OPKs only tell me once I have ovulated"

I missed this bit before. OPKs detect the hormone surge that comes typically 24-48 hrs before ovulation, so they give you a bit of warning rather than telling you that ov has happened.

Puddlelane · 09/04/2013 10:51

Sounds like you don't need them if you do want to consider the cheapie sticks on amazon maybe?

Wattage88 · 09/04/2013 16:03

Can someone actually tell me how to use them? Ttc #2 and using a period tracker thing... Used one opk when it says I was in my fertile week and it was + do does that mean my charting is correct and should go with it? All very confusing thanks

Puddlelane · 09/04/2013 16:12

Yes go with it!
If it all matches up then go go go!

Wattage88 · 09/04/2013 16:32

Ha just not happening tho ha il give it another couple of months before actually going down the temping route. AF due Friday.... Hope not!

Puddlelane · 09/04/2013 17:09

Tbh I just stuck with opks and tracking my cycle I also tracked cervical mucus. Sounds gross but it's quite telling.

Wattage88 · 09/04/2013 17:14

Yea I think I got the mucus almost one week later tho???

Wattage88 · 09/04/2013 17:35

Plus I have two trackers and there one day apart with O day?? Looked at another one that's saying I ovulate tomorrow?? Don't understand. Il need to get on it tonight to make double sure hehe X

Original poster

Beccadugs · 09/04/2013 22:52

Thanks everyone... I should have said that while I know when I ovulate (from the pain!) my cycle isn't regular and can be anything from 27 to 35 days. I was think of using the OPKS to give me an idea ahead of time, as don't want to use poor hubby as a sex slave...

And yes, wattage it is all so confusing!

OP posts:

johnnycomelurky · 10/04/2013 07:47

I tried a few different OPKs and have some cheap ones off ebay that detect at 10 miu and they actually work for me. They were £2.99 + £1.25 for shipping for 30 test strips and 5 pregnancy tests. You have to pee in a container as they are only little strips but they work just the same. Feel free to PM me if you want the name of he eBay seller.

Flip