Ovulation tests - help a girl out

[LadyHalesBroach]

I can’t get my head around the clearblue digital ovulation tests. For reference, empty circle is no hormone detected, flashing smily is high fertility and solid smily is peak fertility.
So...

CD10 - tested first time, solid smily, took me by surprise as my cycles are all over the shop but long. Did the deed anyway.
CD11 - CD19: flashing smiley, had sex every other day (I’m knackered by this point but hey ho)
CD20 - solid smily face again! Had sex again.
CD21 - finally an empty circle (a blessed relief tbh)
CD22 - empty circle.
CD23 - peed to check and it’s ruddy flashing smiley face again. I’m not telling DH.

I don’t get it. I’m 3DPO, if I ovulated when I think I did.
But why’s it still flashing now? I refuse to have any more sex this month, I’ve had my fill (pun intended)

Is it possible clearblue are actually a bit shit?

If you get a solid smiley it usually stays for 48hours so you shouldn't have been able to test the following day so maybe it's not working properly??
Could you have been pregnant already? Xx

I gave up using urine type OPK's years ago. Despite that fact that blood tests and ultrasounds proved that I do indeed ovulate, the urine ones never got a positive.

I use a reusable saliva type OPK. Mine is 'maybe baby' brand, but there are others available. Its like a tiny microscope. You put saliva on, wait for it to dry and a fern like pattern indicates peak fertility. I actually get a positive and also know when I'm nearing peak, whereas those expensive, urine types were useless. best of luck x

Anna, I didn’t realise the solid face stayed for 48 hours! I thought it was stuck so I bought a new packet... doh!

Thanks eloura, I’ll check them out for next cycle. Great tip x

Hi *LadyHales, I am new to this. Sorry I can't help but I just wanted to comment because I am in a similar. I think I ovulated around cd12 (Sharp side cramps). My cheap OPKs did not pick it up though. We did every other day around that time. Started using the cb digital around this time and I was only getting a circle so I assumed it was because I started testing during a fertile window.

4 dpo I had (TMI alert) tiny pink/brownish discharge.
5 dpo - brown discharge
Today 6dpo - i had watery discharge and the smiley flash.
Husband suggested dtd everyday until we get static. Don't get me wrong I do love dtd with him but some of the post I've been reading say the flashing face can last 9 days.

I feel a bit like you on that one so I get it.

It's 1st time properly TTC and had copper coil removed in December and period 31st Dec to 5th Jan. How about you?

Wishing you all the best with your journey

I just tested and got another flashing face again. My cycle is very irregular (it was worse with the coil) so maybe this is my actual ovulation time. The cheaper OPKs are still showing as light and not dark .

This is my first ttc after a late miscarriage in November - but my second DC. My cycle is all over the place since having the coil removed last year - my cycles are anything between 28-70 days.

I’m 4dpo if the test was right (second smily face not first!) so we can only wait and see.

I’ll try and be better and recording the opk tests every morning so I can see a progression.

I would maybe get some cheap opk strips from the internet if the clear blue is not working for you, might help you figure out if you have ovulated x

@LadyHales, so sorry for your loss.

Yes, it is such a long waiting game. Hope your 4dpo symptoms are just hormone changes and you get a BFP at the end of all this.

Will keep you posted on how I'm getting on.

Like Anna said, maybe doing the cheap ones will help you as well.

I think I will keep up with this cycle to learn how my body works as well.

Thanks @BebeBelle let me know how you get on too.
I’m feeling super sluggish like my period might be starting so maybe I’m out this month. Will keep you posted!!!!

Awwwh @LadyHalesBroach it really sucks not knowing what it is. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you thought that it's a sign since it's actually a second set of smiles for you. Are you using the combined cb testing- the purple one?

I have just done my FMU test and still getting a flashing smiley face. I had a bit of spotting yesterday after dtd. Very light though and nothing today. Not sure if it's related to AF coming soon.

How was your journey with your first DC? xx

@Elouera, I've not heard of the saliva one. I might try that on the next cycle if I'm still on this journey (hope not though). I thought I would be way more chilled out about this but feel like I'm obsessing now

@LadyHalesBroach how are you getting on. I finally got my static smiley face cd 24. I have been slightly spotting since so think I will be out soon.

*I'm getting notifications that there are new post here but I can't see anything new since my last one. Are you having the same issue?

Yes same issue, I hate MN notifications!

I’m 10dpo so going to test again tomorrow but so far all I’ve had are bfn. I’ve been feeling weird and crampy, like PMS so who knows, that might be on its way.

Will let you know how I get on!

@LadyHalesBroach awwwh that sounds positive at 10dpo. Are the symptoms similar to PMS? The fact that it's a bit weird feeling sounds promising. Fingers crossed for you. I just don't know what happening with me as I was convinced I had already ovulated. I just have to wait and see. It's second day for static face today

@BebeBelle sending you all the baby dust! Good luck!