Ovulation 4 days AFTER LH surge?

[Whathefisgoingon]

DP and I are casually trying for our second. DS(3) was a one hit wonder thanks to clear blue ovulation tests. Back then my cycles were longer and I ovulated quite late in my cycle.

I whipped out an ovulation test last Saturday and to my surprise got a static smiley. It was about right in terms of my cycle, but I had no symptoms at all, whereas I usually do (lots of mucus.)

It’s now 4 days past that static smiley and I’m experiencing lower back pain and my lower abdomen feels tight, not dissimilar to ovulation discomfort.

I was under the impression that the LH surge (static smiley) meant ovulation would occur within 12-36 hours, is it possible it could be as late as 4 days?

I have no idea @Whathefisgoingon but am also wondering this!

@stardust1994 I have a feeling I was right. I didn’t end up pregnant that cycle, I know it’s not 100% change of conception if you try on the day of or leading up to, but given that I didn’t get a BFP and I had strong ovulation symptoms 4 days after…

Thanks @Whathefisgoingon. I've heard a lot of people say the lh tests just lead to confusion and people stopping having sex too early. Think that's probably happened to me this time but we will see!

I would try using the basic LH strip tests rather than the clear blue smiley ones. You can see the line get darker then and it's likely to give you more of an idea when you're getting your peak.

Thanks @yellowstardust, nice name! I use the basic strips. My LH tends to surge very quickly from nothing to peak in about 10 hours but it drops quite slowly. I get high-ish readings (slightly lighter than the control line - I usually get nothing) for the two mornings after the peak. Is it pretty standard for it to drop slower than it rises?

Ovulation pain can happen before, during or after ovulation actually happens and can differ cycle to cycle so can’t really purely go by this. The best way to confirm when ovulation has happened is to do BBT.

@stardust1994 my tests always drop slower than they rise. I peak really fast. I’m now around 9 weeks pregnant and also got pregnant in October and November but had chemicals (nothing to do with my LH rise or fall) so this is definitely normal.

Thanks @allgoodthings84, that's reassuring. I actually had a mmc back in October which has only been resolved in the last 6 weeks so starting to track my cycle. Had never used lh tests or used bbt before so I'm very much a beginner. Congrats on your pregnancy!

@stardust1994 thank you 😊. I’m terrified of losing the baby again but taking it day by day. I never did bbt myself just used the opk’s and it worked luckily as bbt would be impossible with a 7 year old around ha ha

Ah, sorry to hear you also had a miscarriage @allgoodthings84. I was so naive.. I literally had no idea how common it was until it happened to me. I really want to be pregnant again but at the same time I know I'm going to be an absolute mess up until my scan because that's when I found out about the miscarriage.

And yeah the bbt thing is a bit exhausting.. don't know how long I'll actually keep it up for to be honest.

I'm sure you will be absolutely fine but will keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞 I'm sure it will have been a one off. You have a lovely 7 year old which is proof you can have a successful pregnancy. Take care xxx

@stardust1994 I had 2 early miscarriages/COs right after each other then this one was the 3rd cycle in a row to get a bfp so hoping third time lucky. With my daughter I never worried about miscarriage, didn’t even cross my mind. I also never knew how common it is! I’m scared for my 12 week scan for just that reason, in case it’s a mmc. I’m so sorry you went through that.

@allgoodthings84, I'm sure it will be absolutely fine! I think it's pretty uncommon to have 3 in a row. Although I know that probably won't reassure you.. it never feels like anything can really.

Let me know how your scan goes in a few weeks time. Always nice to hear good news. It keeps me feeling positive and like it will all work out 😊

I really hope I have better luck next time. My cycles are a mess since the miscarriage so I don't know how long I will take. Fingers crossed it won't be ages!

I usually get the peak smiley on clear blue digital ovulation test but I actually ovulate 4-5 days after it as per my Premom ovulation strips.

I tried 4 months with the CB tests and didn’t get pregnant. only after using Premom strips I got to know that I was actually ovulating 4-5 days after CB tests came back with peak smiley. I successfully got pregnant by following Premom strips but ended up as a miscarriage last month.

so it is highly possible for CB tests to come back with peak smiley but you actually ovulating after 4 days.