OPK confusion

[whambam89]

Hi everyone, just looking for a little insight really! Currently on CD19, 2nd cycle TTC after an ectopic treated with methotrexate in February. First month I've used OPKs and I'm really confused! I seem to be getting "high" readings but still haven't had my peak - is this normal? I'm testing 2/3 times a day to make sure I don't miss it. We have DTD on CD11, 13, 14, 16 and 18 so far - just feeling like we started way too early if I haven't even ovulated yet! Also concerns me that if I've not ovulated yet then I must have a really short LP - can anyone help? I've attached images of my OPKs from the last few days.

I tried the urine OPK's but also never hit a peak- despite the fact that scans and blood tests show that I do ovulate.

I bought a re-usable saliva type. Mine is 'Maybe Baby' but there are many brands available. Its like a tiny microscope, you put a drop of saliva on it, let it dry and the pattern reveals if you are ovulating or nearing it. Works out much cheaper than the urine ones and I actually get a peak.

@elouera I've never heard of them, will look into it! I think that perhaps I do ovulate later than the apps predict as the month that we did fall pregnant was the only month we had DTD just after the predicted fertile window (usually go crazy for a week then have a few days off haha) I'm hoping we've covered it this month so will find out within the next couple of weeks I suppose! Thanks for your reply x

Can anyone else shed any light? Is it normal for my LH levels to be going up and down before hitting peak?

Yes it's absolutely normal for LH levels to be going up and down. How long are your cycles usually?

@NannyPear they're usually 29/30 days so I'd have expected to get a positive by now on CD19?

Yeah I would have expected that too! Unlikely you are missing it with testing 2/3 times a day. Could just be a longer cycle this month so keep testing! Would you consider temping if you don't fall pregnant this cycle?

@NannyPear I think I'd give it a couple more cycles before I thought about temping. The only other thing it could be is that I only started with them on cd14 as they didn't arrive until then - if I had missed the peak would my LH levels still be up and down? I'm pretty clueless

I also started taking boots trying to conceive vitamins this month so I wonder if they could have lengthened my cycle?

Thanks for your replies they're really helpful!

Yeah you could have missed it then. You can ovulate up to 2 days after a surge so with your cycle length it's possible you could have had a surge on CD13. Your LH goes up and down throughout your cycle. A lot of women get a positive just before their period too so if that happens it's normal as well.

@NannyPear thanks so much! We have DTD plenty this month so hopefully haven't missed our chance, will find out soon enough thanks again for your help!

@NannyPear what's your experience with positive OPKs post ovulation? I know you said a surge is normal before AF shows but I've had this very positive opk this morning..

P.s... sorry to use you as my opk guru

I have similar question if anyone could help! Does the second line get have to be really thick? Mine is really faint for a few days, so I’m not sure when I’m “surging” - is that a problem?

How long do you find you have between the positive ovulation kit and the ovulation itself? Is it shorter the older you are?

@dreamcatcher007 for a positive the test line has to be as dark or darker than the control line - you'll then ovulate between 12 and 36 hours after the positive from what I've read

That is VERY positive... Have you done a pregnancy test? When is AF due?

Dreamcatcher as whambam says it has to be as dark or darker as the control line for a positive to indicate your surge. You'll always have some LH in your system throughout your cycle so may always see a second faint line. You will usually ovulate 12-36 hours after your surge.

Whambam the other alternative is that you haven't ovulated yet and this is your surge now, so I'd get on it if I was you just in case it's a longer cycle than usual this month!

@NannyPear we will be DTD just in case! Looking back my cycles have only been 26 days since I had my methotrexate injection in Feb which would mean AF is due Friday but I'm too scared to do a pregnancy test hahaha. Will try another OPK tomorrow I think and if it's still positive then might brave doing a test on Wednesday!

Eeek!! Ok keep me posted!!

Thank you @whambam89 @NannyPear!

Another strong positive on opk today... Light cramps / almost tugging feeling, sore nipples - trying desperately to hold out until Friday to test

FRIDAY?! I can't wait that long 😂

@whambam89 what are your opks looking like now?

@NannyPear haven't done one this morning but still the same yesterday morning. Just done a FRER though and bfn so think I'm out for this month definitely wasn't late ovulation though because of all the symptoms I'm getting now, must be a sign AF is on her way

Plot twist... Just got a (faint but there!) Positive on an IC - shouldn't a FRER be picking it up by now though??

Picture attached - there's a line there isn't there? I'm not just going even more insane??