We’re ‘old schooling’ it up! Ovulation test sticks…

[Yolo23]

Hello everyone!

Ive had pretty great experiences using digital ovulation tests, it resulted in our only 1 chemical - so after years and years, I see this as a success 😂 small wins hey…

As we all know, these are super expensive and so I’ve gone back to ‘old schooling it’ with the test strips but it’s so hard to know what I’m looking for in black and white…

My Flo app says I ovulate on the 19th so we’re a bit early. My test strip is getting darker so assumedly I’m on my way but does anyone have any tips around what to look out for or perhaps we could use this thread as a line thread for test strips!? Happy to see what happens. Just thought there may be others in similar confusing situations with ovulation testing that could do with a buddy 🥰🤪

I am 31, TTC #1 !!! xx

@Mama09876 we finally got busy last night too 😅 typical it was full on NEGATIVE ovulation 😂 todays no better but hopefully that’ll change this next week…

I seem to recall the specialist saying she queried whether I was ovulating or not - so this could all be absolutely pointless although I must be if I get positive on digitals and we had the chemical previously… surely 😅

@MrBigsCat thanks! I’m using Natural Cycles which isn’t has accurate as premom with the levels etc but does give negative/positive if you take a photo.

@Yolo23 so we’ve had a bit of success with the OPK! Lines were getting darker as I was taking them 3 times a day from yesterday. My temp went up slightly this morning so I thought it can’t be long now. I forgot to do a test after my 2nd wee but did one 10 mins later and I’ve got positive OPK! Did another one this afternoon and it’s darker again! So it’s all systems go 😂
We did DTD this morning but didn’t finish! So hopefully be tonight and maybe again tomorrow (if we’ve go it in us 😂)

I’ve added the photo just so people can see how quickly it can change! The bottom 2 we’re from today (AM and Afternoon)

@Mama09876 wooooooo!! All systems go 🤣 get it done girl…
The photos are helpful! I’ve not tested today tbh as I was up and out early with no time to spare to go to a woollen pumpkin braiding session with my mum and my friends with their mums 😂 very random but enjoyable!! I’ll see if I can add a photo of the finished product.

Im so pleased you have had a clear positive OPK. I don’t think I’ve ever had one not that I use them religiously so atleast I know what to look out for - perhaps when I get a positive digital, I can use a strip to compare and that’ll give me my own confidence not to spend so much ££ on digitals!!

How many months now have you been TTC so far this time around? Out of interest! Xx

@Yolo23 i love that pumpkin!! That sounds like a right fun day!

Good shout with the digitals/OPKs! I hope you manage to get the positive!

So we’ve been quite relaxed about it all for the past couple of months but I’d say I was tracking more in Aug then we missed Sept then this month I’ve been on the ball with OPKs and my BBT. So I’d say 2nd month of activity trying.

This is the first month of me using OPKs I didn’t do it with me first (well 3 tests then gave up 😂) so I’m happy to actually get a positive one of them! Just need to actually DTD now.
So once you’ve got the positive it’s 12-48hrs till ovulation isn’t it? I feel like I’m getting the pains today so hopefully I haven’t missed it!

@Mama09876 yes DTD being the key part 😂🤞 ✨

I just done a strip and it was VERY clearly negative - I did hesitate to do the digital as figured they have been lining up, so best to save money and keep them for the next cycle… I honestly think this month as I had such a weird period last month, it’s either already happened, or it just won’t.

All I can hope for is that this month is a relatively normal 28 day cycle as they have been before, and that it’s easy to spot next month I think! I’ll keep using the cheap sticks daily just to be sure but I’ve embraced the fact this month is a no win for me. Never mind 🥰 I’ll be ready and raring to go next month 🤣

In the meantime, I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you!! xxx

@Mama09876 how have you got on!? Did you manage to catch it 😂

I’ve woken up convincing myself I have PCOS - I’m unsure when to do my bloods too… because I had such a MAD cycle last month which was strange 33 days, I was hoping I’d have had a normal cycle this month but still no sore boobs and I’m not testing for ovulation anymore this cycle as it’s stressing me out - if I’ve missed it, and I keep getting no’s it’s going to really confuse me so best to just let this cycle be and hope for a normal one next time. The bloods query… so basically, the specialist that filled out a IVF referral form said to have bloods taken on 2-4 day of cycle but I’m worried whether to do it this month with an odd cycle or wait until next month - my follow on worry is if I don’t do it soon (as I didn’t do it last month with being on hold)… do you think it’ll delay the referral? I wonder if they wait for the bloods before progressing - what’s your thoughts and what do you think I should do!? I guess if I do it this month and it shows no ovulation or whatever, atleast this is probs worst case so it gives them that picture… hmmm xx

Being on hols**

I’ve just googled and it appears that test shows your ovarian reserve so nothing to do with ovulation anyway… I guess I’d best just get it done ASAP! 😅 wonder if ovulation affects the reserve each month though 🤔

@yolo So this fertile weekend is not what I had planned 😂 got that positive OPK then cause of the floods we had family we had to go help then OH was up all night ill with a bad stomach so haven’t managed this morning. But I’ve just had to tell him now we need to get it done tonight 😂 (so so romantic I know 🤦🏼‍♀️) I’m getting a few pains so I know ovulation is happening. I’ve got it in my head im probably going to miss it this month now but we’ll see.

Im not sure how much help I’m going to be with advice on this but are your cycles normally 28 day? Or they have been in the past but last month it was 33 days? I think 33 day can still be normal. Anything over 35 days I think can be considered irregular.
What day of your cycle are you currently on? Let’s say your cycle is 33 days again you ovulation may not be till like CD 18/19 onwards?

Id get it booked in asap then least you know you’ve got some information coming. So ovulation is the release of an egg from your reserve each month isn’t it?

@Mama09876 oh god 😂😂😂😅 what are the chances!? Yeah romance goes straight out the window when it comes to this time of the month eh 🤣
l hope he’s feeling a bit better this evening? … and I hope the flooding hasn’t caused too many issues for you and the family. We’ve had rain here in Wales but no more than normal 🙃

The advice is good - I think you’re right. I may aswell have bloods at 2-4 to see what we’re working with. I’m just in that zone now where I want AF to arrive as planned but I am only CD17. I think to take the worry off this month though I won’t test ovulation - I’ll let it be what it’ll be 🥰 This month was super hard anyway because I’m not sure when my period started or ended. Next month I’ll be on it though so OH can watch out 😈 😂

I hope OH feels a bit better and he’s raring to go for you both 😅 fingers and toes crossed… legs wide open! Hahahah good luck xx

I have tried both and actually prefer the sticks!
Over the years have the others given you insight into your cycle?
As once you know you're body I think it's fairly easy to pinpoint ovulation without any tests anyways?
I notice changed in cervical mucus (EWCM starts) and after a couple of days I start the ovulation testing and usually either catch the position ovulation test that same day or try again the next couple days. Once irs started to darken I know a full on positive is only hours away and so test later that day and usually catch it

@Yolo23 i know right! Couldn’t write it of all the weeks/days 🤦🏼‍♀️ had to move family in to hotel cause property was flooded 😔 so it’s defo been one of those weekends! I can’t really be bothered myself tonight but feel like it’s the last night I’m in with a potential chance! He’s feeling much better so I’m hoping we’ll get it done tonight! 😂 honestly this time of the month I swore I’d be more relaxed and I was doing so well but this weekend threw a spanner in the works for sure!

If you’re only on CD 17 and have had longer cycles I bet you haven’t ovulated yet! Honestly with the OPKs you seen mine just changed over one day really. Were pretty light for a good 4/5 days then all of a sudden changed over 2 days and got a peak.
Maybe just see what happens the next couple of days hopefully you’ll be able to DTD this week 🤞🏻

Everything crossed apart from the legs 🤣🤣

@goalgrey thank you - I know you’re right! In fairness I can normally sense it within a few days if I go by my EWCM - it’s very clear when it’s about to happen, if it is. Maybe I’ll continue with that approach - just testing around that time and it’ll no doubt be obvious. I think I’ve just had a few weird cycles lately that’s made me doubt but that’s quite normal too so I read x

@Mama09876 oh gosh that’s awful!! Hope things turn around for the family soon - lots of people are going through it across the country I see.

I really hooooope you managed to do the deed last night 🤞hahaha yeah we all start the month saying we will be chilled and then all hell breaks loose (when you know it’s definitely time anyway 😂)

Ive started to get sore boobs today which is great - either confirms I have ovulated or it’s preparing for AF in 10/11 days. Either way, that’s positive! I’m not putting any pressure on it this month really - we’ve only DTD twice (once a week) and no confirmed ovulation so I’m pretty prepared for it all.

One thing I did think this morning, was what’s been different this month.. and I started taking vitamins which I’m aware certain ones can interfere with cycles. I think I’m going to stop taking them and just pick up some FA that you’re supposed to take. Strip it back to basics! When I had the one and only chemical, I wasn’t on any vitamins or FA (rightly or wrongly)… though I started taking FA and then had the negative.. but that’s just coincidence.

Hope you’re having a good day xx

@Yolo23 managed to get the deed done! 😂 feeling a bit more positive now but we shall see. My temp has been all over the place this month but waiting on my app to fully confirm it.
I go away for a few night abroad just me and OH so I’m debating whether to take a test at 10 DPO as that’s the day we’ll fly. Just to decide whether to drink or not! I really would like to wait till 14 DPO as that’s what I did last time but I also don’t wanna drink if I am. But it might not even show at 10 DPO.

I’ve never actually taken all those pregnancy vitamins I watched a program on them talking about it all and I can’t remember the details but the main take away was you can get the same from a healthy diet or multi vitamins.
I’ve just taken Folic acid just the boots one and with my first I took vitamin D which I should probably start taking again.
I’m sure I’ve read on her ladies saying they think there cycles have been effected by taking the pregnancy vitamins as well so worth seeing what happens when you stop?

it’s good you’re not putting pressure on your self! I think it’s a good mind set to be in 🥰 I do feel similar, I’ll be gutted if I get a negative test but we can move on to the next month if that’s the case. It’s easy for me to say though as I’m only a couple months in to trying. Xx

@Mama09876 wooop! Well done 👏 😅

I don’t know about you but if I KNOW the time is right, I feel a lot more at peace if we’ve DTD at the right times. It also helps if we do get a negative because it feels out of my control!

Hmmm, I totally relate to the testing. I’d take one or perhaps a few of the cheapies just to check so you can have peace of mind - you’ll only be thinking about it anyway! Some time away sounds lovely. We have a night away this weekend which I’m looking forward to and then we have our pre wedding shots with our photographer which will probs be super awks 🤣 but I am looking forward to it too.

I bought Folic acid with vitamin D3 from Holland and Barrat. Maybe I should just continue taking that one - I wonder what the diff is between vitamin D and D3!? They don’t have make things confusing do they!! Xx