getting nervous about getting my timing wrong? donor sperm?

[tink28]

just wondered if i can ask for some advice on timing things from the ladies here who know more about all this than me.

i have been ttc pretty much for 5 yrs, i was previously in a long term relationship, i knew the problem wasnt with me as my partner already had kids, and investigations revealed i wasnt ovulating.

im now single and still longing for a baby so am using a donor. (and am on 1st cycle of clomid, never tried it before as split from my partner around the time the problem was identified)

my concern is this, when i was in a relationship it was easy to have lots of regular BD so i always felt my bases were covered, but using a donor this obviously isnt an option, and its someone who doesnt even live locally so i cant pop back easily for more sperm!

how can i judge when the right time is? im using opks, and some people are saying theyre a waste of time and not to bother. i did used to test positive on opks even when i wasnt ovulating but my doctor explained it was because i was getting the surge but not releasing an egg.

my annovulatory cycles have obviously been rubbish for observing my fertility (no EWCM or thermal shift or even regular cycle- anywhere between 28 to 38 days) and im worried about trusting on or relying on my signs. or maybe not even having any signs! ive never been able to correlate any fertile signs before.

sorry just feel the need to rant here- im so nervous i will miss my chance.now they are touch wood sorting out my fertility issues i would kick myself if i timed it wrong

i am charting but this is no good at helping me time things as obviously by the time ive noticed the rise it will be too late

Tink x

 

[lola13]

I would go with the OPK's. Test a few times a day and once you get your peak, get to wherever you need to be!

If it reassures you, my clinic relies on OPK's to time IUI. They aren't doing a scan to detect ovulation. They've instructed me to test with second urine of the day, and once I get a positive, they schedule me for the following morning. I'm a little worried that it risks being a little late, but they must know what they're doing.

 

[tink28]

thank u so much lola that does give me some reassurance. i just hear so much contradicting stuff about opks but if u arent ttc the usual way then its so hard to cover bases.
thanks again x

 

[Deb111]

Hi Tink

I don't really have anything to add but just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your journey for a little one.

I hope you manage to time it all ok and get that soon

Deb xx

 

[tink28]

thank u Deb that really means alot to me, and wishing u all the best of luck too xx

 

[Gille01]

Good luck! I'm doing my first cycle and I'm single using a donor as well.

For me, I used two different OPKs (Answer and Clearblue digital) starting three days after my period ended, twice a day to be sure to catch it at 10am and 8pm. You'll have to figure out when it works for you as far as your period and testing goes but I don't see the harm in testing every single day if you don't have any other sign that you can rely on. My CM isn't reliable since I'm coming off the pill and adjusting. Doesn't mean you're not fertile just means that its not a reliable sign right now. Especially for me since meds can alter your CM and hormones.

I've heard after you get a positive to inseminate the next day. That's what I'm doing. I had a positive OPK yesterday morning at 10 then my IUI this morning around 10-ish. I'm doing a double so I'm heading in again tomorrow. If you can only do one, then maybe have the insem at 24 -36 hours after your positive OPK.

You could always go the more expensive route and have your doctor do a scan to be sure you have a follicle after you get a positive OPK. Even more so, you could get a shot that helps with timing if it doesn't work this time around.

As far as temps go, my temps all lowered below 97 for a couple days before they shot up. Before they were low they were 97 and above every day. The day they starting going up again, was when I got the positive OPK (yesterday). If you can see the days that you are low and are using OPKs maybe you can catch it. I know its different for every woman but maybe that can help you.

I wish you lots of luck! The timing issue is what threw me as well. I didn't think OPKs would work and I had no faith in my temp. Just keep doing them and they will eventually tell you something whether good or bad. Hopefully all good though.

 

[tink28]

Gille01 thank u sooo much, its great to hear from someone doing something so similar to myself and your advice has really helped. i think ttc is daunting enough in a relationship without having to worry about a timing issue aswell! but i will follow what u have said, my plan was to get to where i need to be the day after the positive opk so will go with what i originally thought which matches what u have said.
i have been referred to hospital so i guess thats when they may do scans etc? if im not lucky this month i may have a private scan next month to confirm follicles etc.
i wish u the best of luck this month and i really hope u get your bfp!!!! thanks again xxx

 

[Gille01]

Sounds like you have a good plan going for you. I'm not sure where you are but a hospital would be a good place to go for a scan. I'm excited to hear how it works out. I don't if I can help you any but if I can let me know!