Flashing CB smileys!

[TTC1990]

Hi all,

C4 TTC no.2. Age 33.

Has anyone else experienced constant flashing smilies? I’ve had 5 in a row now. I’m CD18, but my cycles are usually 28-31 days so this seems late?

Do I keep going now? It’s so expensive but I just want to know what’s going on with my cycle!

The only thing different this month is I was taking antibiotics the week after AF. Can this mess things up? Could there be a chance I’m not ovulating?

Feeling so frustrated and don’t know kind I can go on DTD as often without it becoming a chore!

Any advice of knowledge from a similar experience appreciated. X

Hey there. I had exactly the same thing going on the month I conceived. I used the clear blue opks like you. I didn't know my cycle length exactly as it varies between 30-33 days ish, so I followed the testing instructions for a 28 day cycle as I didn't want to miss my fertile window. I was using loads of strips from day 11. So, I got about 7 flashing smileys and got the solid smiley after that. It was CD 19 which I thought was quite late, so I would have ovulated on maybe CD20 or 21 according to that!

It did mean like you we dtd for a whole 7 days running as I was so anxious about missing ovulation.

The result of all this - I'm pregnant, 8 weeks. But it was an arduous and expensive month with all the testing and dtd so much.

I think cycle lengths can really vary and we don't pay such close attention to them until we are trying to conceive. If you roughly know your cycle like I did, and you have been testing for a while, odds are you are on track for a solid smiley as you are getting the flashing ones.

Some months we don't ovulate so that's another explanation but I would keep going for now as the flashing smileys are a good sign.

Sperm can live for 5 days which is good news, I understand your anxiety though. I wish you the best of luck, I hope you get your solid smiley soon :)

@SKLM ahh congratulations!! Thank you so much for that info, that’s really helpful! My cycles are pretty regular and I have been tracking since May last year…I will just keep testing and hoping! Going to DTD every other day until AF to cover the basis. Thanks again!

@TTC1990 you are very welcome :) are you just using the clear blue opks? Have you tried the traditional ones before?

Only using the clear blues but perhaps I should start using the cheaper ones? I may pop to Tesco this morning! It’s a bit of a minefield for me as I conceived with my first almost straight away! X

Is it once a day you're testing, first thing in the morning? The LH surge might be better detected a little later in the day. After five morning flashies, I got my solid one at midday on the fifth day when I tested a second time that day.

Expensive to test multiple times a day with Clear Blue but could get some internet cheapies to use too (e.g. Easy at Home) or there's these from Savers which I think they also have at Boots that I have piled up in my bathroom cupboard 😅: https://www.savers.co.uk/Health-%26-Wellbeing/Sexual-and-Intimate-Health/Pregnancy-%26-Ovulation/Clear-%26-Simple-Ovulation-Test-Strips-5-Pack/p/10555

@TTC1990 this is my first and we conceived straight away. I feel very lucky that we did and I hope the pregnancy progresses, I found only one month of trying stressful so I can't imagine what people must go through when it takes a long time.

The traditional Opks are cheaper and help you see a trend as you can look at your LH lines looking darker, some women like them better as you can visualise the peak a bit better. I have been tracking my cycle using them since May last year when I came off the pill. Kits like easy at home come with links to an app which helps you to read the strips. I got the clear blue OPKs as I wanted a bit more precision but I guess there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of test.

Do you have any physical signs of ovulation being on the way? I tracked my cervical mucus for many months which I found helpful. I didn't do temperature though.

@ThingsLineUp thank you. Those are the exact ones I just went out and bought from Boots (double the price though!) I just did the test and it couldn’t have been more negative, not even a faint test line! I really feel it’s unlikely I’m going to get my peak. Unsure if this means my body hasn’t ovulated. Always had regular cycles so would seem a bit off, or I missed it…

@SKLM I had some EWCM for about a day on Wednesday and now it’s dried up. It’s creamy now (sorry TMI). What does that mean?! I’m so pleased you convinced straight away. That happened with my first and I went and had a very smooth pregnancy, so got everything crossed it’ll be the same for you! X

I had 11 days of flashing smileys. Was so annoying. Luckily I had extra tests from my friend but frustrating

@pambeesleyhalpert what day did you get a static smiley in the end?

@TTC1990 EWCM usually means that ovulation is on its way. Your mucus is meant to dry up again after ovulation.

@SKLM that’s what I thought, so maybe I’ve missed it?

I’ll give it to the end of the second pack then just waiting for AF. God this TTC malarkey is stressful!

@TTC1990 I really feel for you, it must be so stressful. Try to do something nice for yourself to take your mind off it maybe😊 if you think you are cd18 today and your longest cycle length is 31 days there is still a chance you are yet to ovulate. The luteal phase between ovulation and period is usually around 14 days but it can be less x

@SKLM thank you! I’m going away next week so at least I would have the temptation of testing…

Ive had another flashing this evening. I really don’t think I’m peak is coming! Discharge is creamy and just no ovulation signs what so ever. Have a feeling I just didn’t ovulate which I don’t understand :(. I’m going to live in hope that I’ve missed it and test when Flo says AF is due on 21st xx