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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.

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Original poster

Ovulation kits do not work for everyone...

31 replies

SnowBells · 05/03/2014 23:39

… even if you do ovulate. I have read that several times now online.

Any of you had this problem?

I am using the CB Fertility Monitor. CD18 and it's still showing LOW. However, can clearly see EWCM. I seriously think there's something wrong with my wee (sorry, TMI!).

In addition to the CB Fertility monitor, I have used up at least about 100 online OPKs. NEVER a second line in sight.

OP posts:

somedizzywhore1804 · 05/03/2014 23:44

I never had a positive one in four months of using, but I did get pregnant so something doesn't add up

They never appeared to work for me, certainly, from the cheapo internet ones to the clearblue ones.

Original poster

SnowBells · 06/03/2014 08:15

Thanks somedizzy.

Anyone else in the same situation???

OP posts:

callamia · 06/03/2014 08:21

I used cheap sticks and had only the faintest of faint second lines. I did have some physical symptoms of ovulation, and sure enough I'm here with a four month old now.

HarderToKidnap · 06/03/2014 08:23

I always get a strong positive, except for the month I conceived DS, although I think that was more me forgetting to use them, I can't quite remember now! Have you had other signs if ovulation? Blood tests, or charting to see if you get a temp shift?

Bohemond · 06/03/2014 08:35

I have a CB monitor - am in second month.
First month it indicated high fertility from the first test (day 6) and continued - no ovulation. Their helpdesk told me it was because I was 'flooding the stick'
Month two same thing; high fertility from the first day it asked me to test (day 9). Still high fertility on day 14 and no sign of ovulation.
I am 40 but there is no reason to think I am not ovulating (MC in Oct last year)
Anyone know why this might be?

oscarwilde · 06/03/2014 08:38

I had similar experience and got v fed up so threw money at the problem and used the sticks from 1st day after period. Discovered that I was ovulating almost immediately after my period. Got preg v quickly when I realised that.

FanjolinaJolie · 06/03/2014 09:03

OPK's didn't work for me either.

I have had two successful pregnancies.

I would recommend temping and charting for a month or two, at least you can see you have ovulated.

Disclaimer: long-term temping and charting sends you batshit crazy

FanjolinaJolie · 06/03/2014 09:03

Bohemond what is your usual cycle length?

Original poster

SnowBells · 06/03/2014 09:15

CD19 and STILL low.

Well, I just don't think this monitor works for all people.

Nor do pee sticks.

I remember reading somewhere about someone being told by their own (female) GP that the get sticks didn't work for her either.

I think the monitor will end up on eBay shortly.

OP posts:

Bohemond · 06/03/2014 10:02

Fanjolina (love the name) - my cycle length is 28-30 days so not out of the ordinary.
Would appreciate your thoughts

MrsMac1397 · 06/03/2014 10:30

They don't usually work for me, I seem to get a postive early on then it takes me another 3-5 days before I ovulate. The last time I used them I kept testing after I had my first postive and seemed to continue getting a postive until after ovulation had happened so maybe I have long hormone surges?! I find when I use these I get stressed out by it and worry something isn't right with me so I've stopped buying them.

I've been temping since November and find that works better for me as it shows when I've ovulated (it's usually on the same day each month). I also go by CM changes.

ohfourfoxache · 06/03/2014 10:45

Oh Christ I've just bought my first pack. Have they worked for anyone? Keen to avoid a little bit of heartache if I can.....

vichill · 06/03/2014 10:49

agreed. I didnt get a + reading in the month i fell pregnant.

Mrswellyboot · 06/03/2014 10:57

I got a bpf on them the first month I used them after 12 cycles but it was probably something to do with dtd each day from day ten

That's our plan this cycle too. Can't face a year of disappointment.

Lindsay81 · 06/03/2014 11:00

I actually just wrote on another thread that I never get a positive OPK, despite using them for the last 5 months, occasionally twice a day. I have tried a couple of brands too. However, my 21 day blood tests show that I do ovulate and I have a fairly regular cycle.

Every month I say I will throw them away and every month you will STILL find me squinting at the faintest of lines under the bedside lamp, trying to decide if it is marginally darker than yesterday's faint line!

somedizzywhore1804 · 06/03/2014 11:03

I've written this on these boards before OP but the month I got pregnant I had sex every single day of my cycle. I'd also been having acupuncture. Can't say for sure either of these things worked... But worth a go?

Lucky3878 · 06/03/2014 11:15

I tried both the expensive clear blue digital ovulation test and the cheap strips from amazon. Both seemed to work fine for me so when we start trying I'll just use the cheap ones. I used to chart my temperature too and always had a very obvious rise 1-2 days after a positive on the test (which indicates ovulation has occured) which proved they worked for me.

Lucky3878 · 06/03/2014 11:17

Also make sure your testing at the same time every day and that you haven't had a wee for a few hours. Around the time I expected to ovulate I used to test about 2pm and then at 7pm.

Lucky3878 · 06/03/2014 11:21

And me again!!! Because I used to record my temperature too I used to always notice it would start to drop in the days leading up to ovulation so always knew it was on its way before i got my positive.

melliebobs · 06/03/2014 11:22

They never worked for me either, but still got pregnant. I think they are a con playing on people's vulnerability

MrsPaddington · 06/03/2014 12:40

I have poly cystic ovaries and I have the opposite problem, they also give me a positive! So I never know if I ovulate or not.
I should temp really but don't stay in bed all night so not sure if they would work?

Bohemond · 06/03/2014 12:48

Relieved I am not the only one.
Can someone point me towards instructions for temping? I have given myself a year to try so should really go all out!

MrsMac1397 · 06/03/2014 13:53

I joined fertility friend as they email lessons to you when you join that have really helpful info: best time to take your temp, what it all means etc. It also has a chart for you to use to record your temp that will eventually show when you've ovulated (takes three days of high temps) So that it's clear.

The only thing to keep in mind is that temping will only tell you when you've ovulated after it has happened. So it's not good for predicting ovulation before it happens but can help let you know when it took place. As I said I tend to ovulate at the same point in each cycle.

Original poster

SnowBells · 06/03/2014 17:41

It's good that people talk about this.

I have been feeling really crap because many say that 'it works for them' and 'there's no problem with it'. So obviously, it's your fault. A bit of googling, and it turns out that those pee sticks don't work for many people - it's just they are not vocal about it at all...

OP posts:

FanjolinaJolie · 06/03/2014 18:15

Bohemond

I cannot recommend Fertility Friend highly enough, it is brilliant, educational and free.

Buy a oral digital thermometer from Boots and keep by the side of the bed.

You take your temp on waking each morning, before you have got out of bed.

You record your temperature and any other signs eg cervical mucus, spotting, period, OPK results into FF and the program draws a line graph of your cycle, it can detect ovulation based on a consistent temperature rise in the second half of your cycle.

I think you are testing too early probably. My cycles were 30 and 31 days when I was TTC, I usually ovulated day 16 or 17.

Do you have the egg white cervical mucus at all? This precedes ovulation.

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