Help me throw money at TTC

[1940s]

So I've been trying for a while now, and just about to go to the Dr.

In the meantime has anyone splashed the cash on any of the fertility aids?

I keep seeing ads for the pricy fertility trackers - I won't name any names (not sure why..)

Has anyone upgraded from the standard OPKs and seen any luck?

Thanks

I use an app called kindara (free version) it works with temping (or without but it's not as accurate) and it predicts the fertile window quite well, but needs the data to create an algorithm.

Other than that I'm taking Agnus Castus up to ovulation as it's a natural fertility boost. Worked with DC1 and again got my BFP yesterday.

Congratulations!!

I already use Kindara (the free version) but I olvulafe anywhere between day 16-28 of my cycle so the predictions haven't been much use!

I currently use OPKs but I've seen false LH surges and seem to miss my window sometimes.

I'm thinking of the super fancy digital ones approx £150/200 that test and report full LH levels.

Any tips of agnis castus - how much and when in the cycle would be hugely appreciated!

I found the Clearblue Advance tracker thing £100 pound one v helpful - worked first month with DC1, few more cycles with DC2

I used the OvuSense device and fell pregnant in my second cycle of using it after 2 years of TTC. Turns out I was ovulating a few days earlier than I'd thought from tracking periods and EWCM. I also followed the It Starts With The Egg protocol (I include that here as, although the book isn't pricey, the supplements add up!). Less pricey, but we also used preseed lubricant/similar brand fertility lubricants. I'd use all of of them again if we decide to try for a second.

Are you temping too? How long is your luteal phase? Always good to see if there could be a progesterone issue or so.

I take 400mg every morning together with evening primrose oil to increase my cervical mucus, as it's been rather dry down there. CM is a big sign to watch out for to, for me it's more accurate than OPKs and as soon as I get EWCM or feel naturally lubricated I know I'm close to ovulation. I have to check internally so it's not people who are scared or grossed out by their own body.
Never felt the need to use an expensive OPK, the one step ones off amazon have always been good for me. When I know I'm getting close to my fertile window I use around 3 OPKs a day, late morning, afternoon and evening. Otherwise the surge could be missed easily.

I used the CB fertility monitor and found it great. Sadly I had a few mc along the journey to having DD2 but was at least getting pregnant regularly as always got my days right. Used it in conjunction with SMEP as far as possible.

I'm temping, luteal phase between 11-14 days. I also use Pre-seed!

Keep the expensive advice coming please ladies!! I've had no tasks away coffees, no hair or nails or fancy lunches in the last few months so this can be my 'treat'

I will look into the clear blue advanced tracker! Seems about half the cost of the targeted ad that lured me on Facebook....

@pinknsparkly did ovusense accurately tell you when to DTD or did it just confirm ovulation afterwards?
My ovulation is irregular and I'm nervous I'm actually missing the window. If Ovusense will confiddnetlh tell me 'have sex across the next 3 days' then it's worth the money!

I have been using Daysy for nearly 2 years and while I was a fan of it at first, I started using Ovusense a few months ago and found that it gives a much more accurate picture of what's going on. It does predict a fertile window and an ovulation day and then also confirms it. And it's much easier than remembering to temp as soon as you wake up/you can go to the loo in the night without affecting it.

Taking Charge of your Fertility is a must read I'd you haven't read it already. I've also just bought Ot Starts with the Egg but I'm not a huge fan of supplements (I take folic acid, but also vitamin d as I am deficient in it, everything else has tested and come back fine), I'm hoping to focus more on natural sources recommended rather than supplements

I used the Ava and I would not recommend it - I ended up selling it.

I tested predicted ovulation using clear blue OPKs and it was always out. I think it just uses the same algorithms as the free period tracker apps do, but uses gimmicks such as skin temperature to make you think it's working. Super satisfying syncing your data every morning but 100% would not recommend

If you don't trust OPKs I'd use BBT for tracking instead. My thermometer only cost £10 though!

Other money you can spend is ubiquinol for improved egg health - the book "it starts with the egg" strongly recommends it and it's not cheap as far as supplements go.

I've heard bad things about Avas and Ovusense btw in that their temp taking is really inaccurate and fluctuates a lot. Old school bbt thermometers seem to be a lot more reliable.

Agree with @Daffodil21

My Ava was a complete waste of money. I used it for several months with no luck. I got my BFP a couple of months after I stopped using it and went back to OPKs.

You could always use the money you've saved on things like acupuncture or reflexology which are also supposed to be good for boosting fertility.

I've got my first reflexology appointment booked for this evening.

Or you could try a Circle + Bloom meditation program (I was sceptical too but definitely recommend!). It's about £50 but you re-use it every month

I'm sure Angus Castus was the key for me.

This is the complete opposite of what you’ve asked for but I used pre seed, vitamins and clear blue ovulation tracker for 4 months and had no luck. We decided to stop trying for a few months and only weren’t careful twice last month and hey ho

@Juno231 I've found my bbt fluctuates way more than with my ovusense, partly because I have poor sleep due to other conditions. I think it's down to personal circumstances but my bbt didn't show ovulation last month, my ovusense did, and my CD21 came back that I had ovulated so now I'm sold on it!

Can you do SMEP @1940s ? As it means you can't really miss the key days. Whether or not a successful conception occurs or not is of course out of your control.

Not a tracker or anything but I swear conceive plus helped me to get my little one

Not a fancy gadget, but I read "It Starts With The Egg" by Rebecca Fett and ended up spending £££ on all the fancy vitamins and supplements that the book recommended.

I was taking pregnacare but had no luck. I switched to Feroglobin tablets and conceived the following month. I recommended them to a friend after she had been TTC for over a year and she also conceived really quickly after switching.

Great tips everyone thanks!

I've historically used a bbt thermometer and it's worked really well in confirming ovulation. The issue is the data every month is irregular so I can't use it alone to predict ovulation.

I've been using the clear blue OPKs the
Digital expensive ones.

Can't wait to sit and have a spending spree tomorrow... wish I was splashing the cash on babygrows instead!

Reflexology and acupuncture sound incredible! I will absolutely prioritise looking into that

@1940s so after my reflexology last night I had a flashing smiley this morning! Of course I don't know how many flashing smiley days I will get, but it's definitely earlier than normal (my cycles are normally long) 100% recommend

@1940s

I used the Femometer OPKs as they were much cheaper. I tested multiple times a day to make sure I didn’t miss my peak as it sometimes came in the afternoon. I could then take pictures of it on the Femometer app and track my cycle that way.