EWCM and chasing the positive OPK

[JacquiDaytona]

I had multiple rounds of ivf and losses prior to having my DS 18 months ago and we’re thinking about the possibility of another.

I’ve got the clear blue OPK out again but can’t for the life of me pinpoint a smiley face - cycle has returned to around 30 days as before, getting all the signs of ovulation from day 15 - on day 3 of EWCM and ovulation twinges but still no smiley face!

I suspect that I’m just not ovulating which makes considering next steps very difficult but before I give up hope - any ideas? Am I trying to find it too early or late? I drink LOADS of water, does that have an effect?

@JacquiDaytona
Hi, firstly sorry for you loss and the heartache you have been through in your journey.

Drink intake can definitely affect your result, it is best to hold your urine and stop drinking for at least 4hrs before you take your test (if you can! At least 2hrs)

Also, when are you starting testing in your cycle?
I tend to start testing pretty much right after my period just so I know I definitely don’t miss my peak- plus I tend to start with high fertility from CD6 and get my peak around 14/15/16.
I found that I got more accurate results with the CB advanced, I also test twice a day (FMU and PM).
For the the majority of the months I’ve been using them I’ve got my peak in the afternoon, not the morning!
That being said, I know they’re super expensive but I have some worries that I’m not ovulating as I went several months without getting a positive on and low results on strip OPKs, so that’s why I splashed out!

Hope this helps and good luck with your TTC#2 journey!

Oh wow thank you for the detail!!
Only started this month from day 14 so I wonder if I should have started earlier? Feels like a full time job again 😂

Sorry for you losses, and good luck starting again.

I have been tracking ovulation for the past 9 months, and I have tried the CB advance ovulation sticks with the digital smiley face and have had months where it doesn't detect my ovulation. As I've been doing fertility treatment, I have been monitored by scans so I know for certain the CB digital ones missed my ovulation as the doc could see it all on the scans.

I prefer the cheap Premom strips which come with an app that helps you track - and that has accurately detected my LH peak and ovulation each month, even when the CB ones didn't.

I would save your money and forget the CB ones as the cheap Premom strips you can get on Amazon did the job perfectly. Am glad I didn't just rely on the CB ones.

@AnnieStar12 thanks! That makes me feels better, I always used to use the strip ones and sometimes it was a bit hit and miss but I would usually manage to find it.

That would make more sense, I’m getting all the right signs but just no smiley!

@JacquiDaytona you’re welcome! I know everyone is different and these things don’t go by any rules as such! But hope it helps.
I think your best bet it going by your other signs as well- if you’re getting EWCM then that’s a really good sign☺️

Also, OPK tests just tell you there is a LH peak, not that you’ve actually ovulated- BBT can help you with this but this can be tricky if you are woken throughout the night (which with a little one could be a strong possibility) and if you don’t have a consistent waking time. But you can also get PdG tests which will tell you if you’re ovulating and how well- I got my first batch this month by the company Proov- it’s just peace of mind to assure me that everything is working fine in terms of me ovulating and if not I know I can go to doctors with some ‘evidence’.