OPK help please.. first time of using

[Mumma8538]

Hi all,

this is the first month I’ve downloaded the Premom app and uploading OPK’s test.
LMP started 01/04 and it seems my cycles can be 26- 30ish. The app told me to start LH testing on 08/04 which is what I did.

i always thought I ovulated around CD14/15 from CM but do you think from the test below that my surge was CD10 and that I’m probably ovulating around CD10/11?

from the tests I put in Premom moved my ovulation from CD13 to CD12… tomorrow.

your help is much appreciated as this is all new to me

Carry on testing @Mumma8538 you tend to have darker and lighter ones throughout your cycle. Don’t rely on the apps too much. Also test 2 times a day as you may miss your surge. I ttc for 4 years with my first good luck.

Thank you very much for your advice, I will keep testing twice a day and see what happens.

I would say your surge looks around CD10, my tests never got a lot darker than this and I was ovulating. Do you have any other ovulation symptoms?

These are my tests from the cycle I conceived, they’re not that dark at all

@Darkedonlinen I did last night have a banging headache and right sided ovulation pain. That was my thinking my surge was CD10 and now with the pains I probably am ovulating yesterday / today. I will carry on to test and see what happens. What CD did you ovulate then as I feel mine is far too early , thank you for showing me as I thought it always had to be over 1 and had me worrying

@Mumma8538 I didn’t ovulate until CD17 but my cycles were quite irregular and long, sometimes I wouldn’t get a surge until CD21 or later. I used to get EWCM and bad bloating around ovulation so usually expected to see the surge then, then I had sore boobs immediately after and right up to my period starting

They are only going to tell you when you get the surge of hormones to trigger ovulation. Not when or if you do. If you really want to know that temping is the way forward because it shows a much more stable and slightly raised temp after ovulation.

@Darkedonlinen I have carried on testing and they are all fainter than my CD9/10 as above . So maybe I do ovulate sooner than I thought . The app says CD9/10 as surge then ovulated CD12. I normally get that also sore boobs right up until AF , EWCM seems to of started today for me , can you get it after ovulations .. as in just around the time?

@WonderingWanda thank you think I’ll need to get one to also check my temperature . So many different things I read out there one says BBT isn’t reliable and OPK are and some the other way around

LH surges in the morning and takes a few hours to show up in urine so test at midday and late afternoon. As a PP said, don’t trust the app to make the decision for you, use your own eyes, positive is as dark or darker than the control so you haven’t had one yet as far as I can see. Great idea about temping, than will confirm ovulation.

@Mumma8538 I think they are both useful used together but each on their own isn't enough of a picture. So you can see the surge, great but how do you know when you've ovulate? With the temps, you see the temp rise so you know you have, I guess using both gives you your optimum window for ttc.

Hey, I hope you don’t mind me hoping on here! I thought it might be nice to compare as this is my first month tracking too & we are around the same time in our cycle. This is mine at the moment, I think I’m ovulating but not really sure? I’ve had 3 days of flashing CB smiley face as well. Any thoughts guys?

@JasmineZMD I would test again later today as it looks like it's increasing. Bear in mind not to have too many liquids and try to hold as close to 4 hours as possible, it really makes a huge difference I've noticed.

Thank you as I wasn’t aware of this and is best to test at certain times. Next cycle I’ll be on it! No I def haven’t had a darker than control line positive yet. Need to get my head around temping also, think it’s more research for me and then I can do it properly next month

I will be purchasing one for sure . Is it with temps it runs along what you would class as low and then spike up when ovulating ? Do you start DTD when it increases ?

I am no expert but from what the ladies have said it looks like it’s near on your peak. Do you temp as well as it’s been mentioned you will have a better picture of when you actual ovulate? I’m assuming when you start seeing these dark lines it’s good to start DTD so you catch the window

You DTD when you get your positive OPK and then the temperature rise confirms that you’ve ovulated.

I used Fertility Friend to track my temps, it’s free and very good. They have tutorials etc.

Thank you so much lovelies! I think it’s nearly there, i will test again tonight 🤞🏼 I’ve had cramps the last two days as well. Will make sure to DTD daily until my numbers go down. I don’t temp but have heard lots of good things, I will have to start next month. Do you temp? @Mumma8538 I’m not sure where to even start with that 🫣

A trick I learnt with Premom was to manually edit the colours on the strips and not let the app do it for you. It was far more consistent and easier to track.

Thankyou, I will try that! @SPsmama I have just done my evening ones. Both lines were as dark as each other, premom only says .70 - but I’ve got my solid CB smiley, so I think I’m going to go by that! @jellyfish2

No I haven’t done temp but thinking I should start! I have no clue either but I know you have to take it first thing in the morning and around the same time each day . Don’t even think I’m doing the OPK right .. or I haven’t ovulated yet .. who knows!

Is this when you take a picture you click on manual have have to line up the control line and the max wee line !?

@Mumma8538 your CD9/10 do look dark, it could have been then! It’s our first month using the app & I’ve read it takes it a month or 2 to differentiate between our lows, highs and peaks. I’ve only just had my positive OPK and static CB smiley this evening and I’m CD16, so i’d keep testing just incase it comes soon! 🤞🏼

@Mumma8538 on CD9 you didn't take another opk later on that day so it could've been darker and you've missed it. Then you've ovulated CD10 which is why it's going lighter again.

Ah I see that makes sense the app getting used to us! Is it best to OPK and CB test ? Do they tell you the same thing but different brands ? I will keep testing as I’m sure I read somewhere it’s good to test every day so you get used to reading the tests and your body