MAY we all be blessed with baby! May 2013 and beyond (BFFs Seeking BFPs)

[ClandestineTX]

Wow after reading that I think I will invest in some clear blue OPKS so I'm not stressing over lines but will still be able to pinpoint. Especially since my cycle length varies. Thank you for sharing those articles. After two losses I just want to be as relaxed about trying again as possible, usually i get myself worked up and I'm trying to avoid that. Thanks again!

I use the cheapies. Since it turns out not getting a "blaring" positive means nothing (as long as you see the surge, relative to other day's tests) - I'm saving my $$$. But I'm super cheap like that.

@ClandestineTX I know temping is not as reliable at predicting before since it can always change. Do you think that temps are good at pinpointing ovulation after you see the temp shift? Like do you think it actually occurs on the day of the low temp or just around that day? Is the 30-40% accurate based on predicting before or based on pinpointing the day after it has occurred? I will definitely look at those links. Good luck on the temp drop. I hope it's soon!

This group of researchers found increased accuracy by charting the gap better the male and female partners (instead of just the female's temp), because it controls for change caused by the sleeping environment: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11430971
[Hubster will not be temping anytime soon, I'm sure!]

Things I've learned about temp charts from research science...
You can ovulate without a biphasic chart.
The temp shift can be as much as 8 days before or 3 days after ovulation.
Higher temps at the end of a cycle are consistent with pregnancy.
Individual temps are almost meaningless.
Temps are useful for determination of an individual pattern (i.e. my temps do a normal pattern for me over the course of a cycle, but aren't necessarily useful for anyone else).
If you have regular cycles (range of most cycles <7 days difference in length, with few exceptions) chances are you are ovulating no matter what your temp does. Mine for example usually range from 27-33 days with an occasional one that's really short (24 days) or really long (34 days).

And even though I've learned all this stuff, I still let my temps stress me out (because old habits die hard). Long story short: if you are like me and you know things about yourself from temping - keep doing it. If you are trying to decide whether to start temping/ charting - OPKs/ monitors are your best friend, CM in most cases, too.

Nice research, thanks for sharing!

I was wondering about BBT charting - I've gotten fed up lately with it since Fertility Friend keeps changing dates on me. I also agree with something brought up in the discussion within one of the studies - that people can really screw up their own BBT data by not taking their temp. at the same time every day, etc., and that throws off charting as well.

Temps are easily affected by other factors (sleep, sleep conditions, exercise, drinking, etc.). If you use OPKs/monitors/CM - trust those above your temps - every time!

 

[Kalush]

Clandestine - So much interesting information, thanks! I remember being really excited to temp last time, within a week I realize it wasn't worth it for me. I'm not sure if I just became more aware of when I was waking up or if my mind was messing with me and I was waking up more because I had to sleep for so long before temping would work. I like that the opk's and cm is a much better predictor since those I can manage. Well almost, I drink too much water and rarely can manage 4 hours, so never really gotten a positive one but they do get darker at some point.

 

[chulie]

Hi ladies.... Hope everyone is doing well! So much interesting information!!! You ladies are awesome!

 

[ClandestineTX]

@Kalush: something to remember with OPKs is that not everyone has a high, sharp LH rise. Mine is definitely more gradual, but I can see the rise and fall easily, by hanging on to a few at a time to see the day-to-day change. There are a lot of "normal" LH patterns - just the strips were designed to suit those with shorter/ more intense LH peaks! I have three friends on here, all currently pregnant and not one of them ever saw a "true" positive OPK! It sounds like what you're doing should work!

 

[Lazydaisys]

Is anybody using soft cups?? Is it worth a try? I've only just heard about them. Surely if the hasn't got where it needs to go at time- It's not going to sneak up after Maybe I've missed the Point. Does anybody any options on soft cups???

 

[BSelck24]

Hey there! I haven't been on in a while as I had a long cycle during May! So could you put me down to now test on July 20th?? Thank you!!

 

[Ruskiegirl]

Is anybody using soft cups?? Is it worth a try? I've only just heard about them. Surely if the hasn't got where it needs to go at time- It's not going to sneak up after Maybe I've missed the Point. Does anybody any options on soft cups???

Im using them this cycle along with pre-seed , They help to keep the sperm up by the cervix so worth trying

 

[RaeChay]

@Kalush: something to remember with OPKs is that not everyone has a high, sharp LH rise. Mine is definitely more gradual, but I can see the rise and fall easily, by hanging on to a few at a time to see the day-to-day change. There are a lot of "normal" LH patterns - just the strips were designed to suit those with shorter/ more intense LH peaks! I have three friends on here, all currently pregnant and not one of them ever saw a "true" positive OPK! It sounds like what you're doing should work!

See my issue is the exact opposite - I get blazing positive opk's for DAYS; like it seems as if I've either got a ton of LH at any given moment, or maybe I'm not ovulating so my LH is just going nuts trying to get the egg out- I don't know. It's kind of annoying.

My CB digitals will show smileys starting at cd12, then this cycle I cross-checked with FR line-type opk's, which all look basically the same from cd14-cd16. For those three days the test lines are ALL super dark, much darker than the control- but they all look the exact same! I have no idea when I may have/may yet to ovulate (on cd 16 today).

Anyone have any insight on this? My plan is just bd EOD regardless...but why are they all looking positive to the same degree (not to mention the digital showing a smiley at cd12)?

 

[ClandestineTX]

For the softcup ladies... I've not seen any data to support the use of softcups or laying down after sex, etc. There was only one study I came across that studied after-intercourse strategies and they didn't see a difference. That being said - there's no reason to believe it would hurt your chances, so if it's something you're comfortable trying - let us know how it works out for you!

@RaeChay: my $0.02 would be to consider both the first an last the "peak" - meaning make sure you're already at it at least every 2-3 days when you see the first positive OPK and keep your pattern going until 3 days after the last positive one! Technically, the first positive should be "the positive" - but there's so much variation between people and there's no way to tell for sure if that's true for your body, unless your doctor starts following that range of your cycle with a daily ultrasound, looking for an empty follicle. And let's face it - we're all just trying to get a BFP ASAP - so I'd not leave a chance that you ovulate 1-3 days after the last positive!

 

[newbie2013]

Question for you all - I'm going on a long haul flight on wednesday (home for a few weeks - yay! 30hrs travelling - not so yay) on which I'd usually take a tablet containing 100mg valeriana. The recommended dose is 2-3 tablets but I only take one to relax me into a dose without doping me to sleep. The info inside the pack says "use of valeriana duing pregnancy is not recommended". I'm due to test on the 30th and can't get any early response tests... To take or not to take... That is the question!! Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[ClandestineTX]

Question for you all - I'm going on a long haul flight on wednesday (home for a few weeks - yay! 30hrs travelling - not so yay) on which I'd usually take a tablet containing 100mg valeriana. The recommended dose is 2-3 tablets but I only take one to relax me into a dose without doping me to sleep. The info inside the pack says "use of valeriana duing pregnancy is not recommended". I'm due to test on the 30th and can't get any early response tests... To take or not to take... That is the question!! Looking forward to your thoughts.

Official answer: call your doctor

Unofficial answer: should be fine, see: https://drugsafetysite.com/valerian/ for more information.

 

[RaeChay]

For the softcup ladies... I've not seen any data to support the use of softcups or laying down after sex, etc. There was only one study I came across that studied after-intercourse strategies and they didn't see a difference. That being said - there's no reason to believe it would hurt your chances, so if it's something you're comfortable trying - let us know how it works out for you!

@RaeChay: my $0.02 would be to consider both the first an last the "peak" - meaning make sure you're already at it at least every 2-3 days when you see the first positive OPK and keep your pattern going until 3 days after the last positive one! Technically, the first positive should be "the positive" - but there's so much variation between people and there's no way to tell for sure if that's true for your body, unless your doctor starts following that range of your cycle with a daily ultrasound, looking for an empty follicle. And let's face it - we're all just trying to get a BFP ASAP - so I'd not leave a chance that you ovulate 1-3 days after the last positive!

Thank you - this is very helpful perspective!

 

[ClandestineTX]

Very welcome

 

[Lazydaisys]

Is anybody using soft cups?? Is it worth a try? I've only just heard about them. Surely if the hasn't got where it needs to go at time- It's not going to sneak up after Maybe I've missed the Point. Does anybody any options on soft cups???

Im using them this cycle along with pre-seed , They help to keep the sperm up by the cervix so worth trying

I've just ordered mine so going to give it ago. I've also got concieve plus which is similar to preseed. I like to try something new each ttc cycle and this month is the month of the cups!

 

[Mrs A]

Hey girls please help me. I took this photo 17 mis after the test what do you think?

 

[RaeChay]

View attachment 633891Hey girls please help me. I took this photo 17 mis after the test what do you think?

I think I can see a little something there - wait two days & retest!

 

[burgbrandy]

I also see something!

 

[ClandestineTX]

View attachment 633891Hey girls please help me. I took this photo 17 mis after the test what do you think?

I think I can see a little something there - wait two days & retest!

^^^I agree with what she said^^^

FX, looks promising!

 

[Ruskiegirl]

I only have a few days to get my BD in this cycle , We are going camping on friday and it hits right around ovulation time Hoping I catch the egg with the few days I can get in before we leave , One tent for all 3 of us so can't be doing the deed with our daughter in the tent hehe

 

[Dannixo]

View attachment 633891Hey girls please help me. I took this photo 17 mis after the test what do you think?

I def see a line!