Hello👋 Newbie here needing help TTC

[JScarlett]

Hello everyone 👋😊

Me and other half started our TTC journey in May and I think AF is due in a few days so expecting to continue our journey June onwards.

I have been a bit of a lurker in these forums this month after randomly stumbling across this site but have found it so useful so thank you everyone! What I have liked the most is how everyone seems to be there for one another, its a real community feel and I'd love to join you all in this support network if you will have me please?

I am new to the TTC journey, not having any children myself at the moment. Its all really new to me and I was wondering if anyone may be able to offer me some advice on a few questions please?

• I have been doing OPK (cheap ones from pound shop) 1 per day but have only ever gotten faint line or no line. When is best time to do the OPK and would you suggest twice a day? Also, has anyone ever tried the clear blue digital OPK and if so, how do they compare to the cheap ones?

• I have started tracking BBT. I know itll take a time to see a trend with this but when I do see a trend, what will the BBT tell me please? Whats the difference between high and low temps?

• Is there any other ways of tracking ovulation that you would recommend?

So sorry for all the questions. I really hope someone will be able to help. 😊

Looking forward to hopefully getting to know some of you.

Thanks x

Hello, I can't help with the OPK's as I never used them.
I just used my Flo app for ovulation.
Honestly, I was a bit naive I suppose. Even though at 26 I probably felt I should've known more but I didn't know about these OPK's or anything until I came onto MN .

I went by my app and logged my periods etc and that seemed to work. I was lucky to conceive first time.

All the best in your TTC journey x

Hello!

May I ask how long your cycles are on average?

Cheap opks are best used with the second wee of the day. Do them twice a day once the line gets a bit stronger in case your surge is short.

As for bbt - what you're looking for is a temp shift (to higher temps) to show that ovulation has happened. The key thing to look out for is 3 consecutive temps higher than the previous six to confirm OD.

Fertility friend is the only app worth using for bbt in my opinion - bear in mind it's much more accurate if you also populate it with opk and ewcm results.

The CB opks I personally don't use because of their cost. They require use of first morning urine and give you more of a heads up as they start flashing when your oestrogen is surging, so basically letting you know when fertile week starts and not just a last minute notice of ovulation happening like the cheap opks do.

Hi I am also a newbie poster here! I have been a long time lurker as I have 2 daughters (7 and 3) but have recently started TTC number 3 and it’s my first time really making an effort to conceive and I feel so clueless!! So I don’t know if I can offer any help for these questions - sorry - but it’s so nice to talk about trying as I am not telling anyone I actually know which is so hard haha!

I am using 2 apps to track my periods but as I was only having withdrawal bleeds from the patch so far (came off end of May to start trying) there’s not anything to go off currently obviously so I feel like it’s all a guessing game atm!! Have you tried any apps? I’m using Flo and one called PC at the moment.

TMI but I am trying to just go off CM to see if I am ovulating or not, have you googled that method? From what I can tell so far I seem to have ovulated on day 11 which seems early but I don’t expect my cycles to be really normal right away I guess... but then I’m doubting myself for whether I’ve got that right!

I was so sure I wouldn’t get obsessed with TTC until a few months into it as obviously it can take a while for your cycle to go back to normal after coming off contraception but nope I’m instantly obsessing!!

Btw though I felt exactly like I was coming on my period in the days leading up to finding out I was pregnant with my 3 year old so don’t give up hope yet for this month

Good luck in your journey!! Xx

@pixiedust28 thank you 😊 I am also tracking my periods too, just by paper at the moment though so will look into an app. Thanks for replying x

@Juno231 Thank you for replying 😊 I've only just started tracking my periods properly but while they used to be like clockwork I now feel like they are irregular.. I think approx. 32 days sometimes but can be longer. Hoping to find a pattern now I am tracking. Thank you so much for all the advice! Will definitely look into downloading fertility friend. I might give the CB OPK ones a try but you are right, definitely more expensive!

@Seashellel Thank you for replying and lovely to meet a fellow newbie! 😊 I am like you in that not telling anyone too so its nice to come on here and not feel so alone in the journey. I haven't tried apps but will check out Flo and PC as well as the fertility friend recommended above. 😊 I have just been using old fashion paper at the moment.

I haven't googled CM method but definitely think I will look into this for next cycle as finding the OPK very confusing on its own. Im instantly obsessing too, at least we aren't alone haha!! 😁

Wishing you lots of luck in your journey too 😊 🌟