OPK conundrum

[CatLadyH]

Hi all,

Just after some advice re SMEP and ovulation tests as it’s driving me around the bend. I had a chemical pregnancy at the start of June (TTC cycle 1) had a cycle (TTC cycle 2) and we have now started SMEP plan this cycle (TTC cycle 3). I have regular cycles between 28-31 days, the previous two cycles I have ovulated around CD18-20. For cycle 1 we used the clear blue pink digital only. For cycle 2 we used just Premom easy@home OPKs. This month we are doing SMEP and using Premom easy@home OPKs to track ovulation, I did do a pink clear blue digital which showed a static smiley which I know their threshold is 0.4. I’m just confused/wanted a second opinion if I have missed my surge overnight on CD14-15 (pics attached of cycle 2 and current cycle). Would welcome thoughts about how to go about this with SMEP plan.

Many thanks

H

Would help if I added pics - photos attached.

It's possible that you missed your surge (that's the downside of LH testing), but it's also possible that you're still yet to have a surge, especially if you got your peak on CD20 last cycle. If your cycles are irregular (do you have PCOS?) you can end up having a couple of surges before you get a peak test result. I'd keep testing (ideally am and pm).

What's your cervical mucus like? That's the other indicator I'd be looking at, along with BBT if you're able to chart reliably (I'm quite restless and wake frequently in the night/at different times, so BBT isn't particularly reliable in my case, however it's often a useful guide when used alongside everything else to show a pattern...).

...As far as SMEP goes, I think I'd be inclined to act as though you missed the surge (therefore have intercourse more often), then dial down to every other day unless you see another surge (at which point I'd ramp up the frequency of intercourse again). Another school of thought is that every other day is sufficient over the fertile period, so you could just try doing that for a longer duration than usual (although that's not strict SMEP)!

Thanks for replying @Poppins2016 i did have the typical EWCM and BBT was up so I think I may have missed my surge, but will keep testing to make sure. Cycles are regular which is why this is even more mind boggling 🤣 thanks for you help that’s a sensible approach I think.

Hey how did you get on ?

Stopped using OPKs and any form of tracking in October following GPs advice to take out any external stressors. I am now 25 weeks pregnant!