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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.

First time OPKs

7 replies

clazbear · 24/07/2022 19:58

Hi everyone!
my first time posting but I’ve been lurking for a little while! :)
I’ve been TTC for nearly a year on and off but this month is the first time I’ve used OPKs. I started testing the day after my period ended which I know was early but I wanted to be 100% sure. So far it’s been nearly 2 weeks of doing tests without any conclusive positives when normally I’m pretty sure I would have ovulated by now. I’ve had a couple with a very faint line (barely there at all) but nothing at all which is obvious. I guess my question is, do you think you can worry yourself out of ovulating or does it sound like something is wrong? I will be due to start my period again in less than 10 days time and just something feels a bit off.

OP posts:
startfresh · 24/07/2022 20:10

Have you been doing your bbt, too? OPKs, whilst brilliant, can have different levels for different women. If I'm not mistaken (but check this) if you have a temp spike, that's the day after ovulation or something like that and I believe it indicates an egg release.

It's been a couple of years since I read about bbt but definitely helped me with my first pregnancy and made sure I understood it.

clazbear · 24/07/2022 20:19

@startfresh thank you so much for replying, I will check this out! I am fretting because I have been told in the past by 2 different doctors that I may struggle to conceive and I’ve tried to ignore it but I know I am worried deep down that I’m not ovulating properly. Having said that, I usually can tell and I’ve had nothing this month! It’s an absolute minefield but I will definitely start measuring my bbt as another alternative! :)

OP posts:
startfresh · 24/07/2022 20:30

TTC is a nightmare. I would definitely read up on BBT and double check if the raised temp confirms egg release, as that's a nice easy way to confirm, if so.

There will also, hopefully, be posters along who will tell you the tests doctors can to do check if you ovulate, I've read them many times before but I've never taken it in as not needed it in the end.

The best, absolute top key piece of advice is to not panic/stress. You must have read all those stories of people trying IVF etc. for years. Never conceiving, they give up and look to a different future and, once they're not panicking any more, they just fall pregnant. Not scientific (although there's something to be said about stress being bad for the body) but just Sod's law, I'm sure.

Don't want to post too much detail but I had a "urgh it's not happening this month" feeling a few months back after several failed attempts. I didn't symptom spot, didn't pee on a stick, didn't resist eating/drinking the things you shouldn't have when pregnant. Realised I thought I was late one day and checked my app, which confirmed. I tested and, wouldn't you know, straight up positive test!

It really does just come the time you give up sometimes.

Just reread your OP and I see it's been over a year so it definitely can't hurt to see a doctor for some tests anyway.

Also the SMEP (sperm meets egg plan) starting with finishing your period, have sex every other day until you get a positive OPK (hopefully you do next month!) then have sex every day for however long you can, check again how many days before and after ovulation sperm can fertilise, I think it's 2/3 days after, and I just added a few extra days on each time, for good measure, in case I ovulated a day late etc.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to give all the information I used in case any of it helps.

Best of luck with it all FlowersCake wishing you a lucky month ahead 🍀

Harper02 · 24/07/2022 20:48

clazbear · 24/07/2022 20:19

@startfresh thank you so much for replying, I will check this out! I am fretting because I have been told in the past by 2 different doctors that I may struggle to conceive and I’ve tried to ignore it but I know I am worried deep down that I’m not ovulating properly. Having said that, I usually can tell and I’ve had nothing this month! It’s an absolute minefield but I will definitely start measuring my bbt as another alternative! :)

Do you know why the doctor said you may have trouble conceiving?

clazbear · 24/07/2022 20:56

@Harper02 hi, thanks so much for replying. I have Crohn’s disease which is currently in remission (yay! hence TTC) but I have had 2 surgeries, one of which damaged one of my fallopian tubes. The doctor who told me this actually said, it might be time to start trying if you want to have children, time is not on your side! This was 3 years ago and I wanted to try immediately but had further problems with the crohns and had to have another surgery which has meant we are where we are. I feel the fittest and healthiest I’ve ever felt which is great but it’s always in the back of my mind that maybe it just isn’t meant to be for me.

@startfresh thank you for your reply, I really appreciate your positivity, I really needed it today! I have an appointment for a blood test on Friday to get the ball rolling on potential infertility, I had just hoped it would be easy for us but it seems like it wasn’t ever meant to be that simple!

OP posts:
startfresh · 24/07/2022 21:30

Even people with the most unlikely chances of conception can still manage. Not to give false hope, just don't write yourself off.

I had a few devastating losses when I started TTC and had all the worries, I was lucky after that, so I can't begin to imagine what you're going through.

If it's one tube, it may be an every other month chance for you? Glad you have tests booked, fingers crossed for good news!

cherrybonbons · 24/07/2022 22:29

TTC number 3.... 6 months trying. Used OPK's for about 4 of the 6 months.... this is my first month I've had a really conclusive positive. You don't ovulate every month for various reasons. I asked the exact same question as you about 3 months ago. Keep testing. My ovulation was a week earlier than my app said

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