Question about OPKs

[Ali_L]

Do you usually have the same pattern every cycle? For instance, if you had 2 days of positive OPKs one cycle, is it the same in other cycles?

Asking bc I have charted (all together, with two successful pregnancies) about 7 cycles. So far, only 2 of them have been ovulatory. This cycle seems to be an ovulatory cycle. Last ovulatory cycle was Oct 2010, when I got pregnant with DD. That cycle: I had a temp dip, pos opk the next day, pos opk on O day, temp rise the following day. This cycle: temp dip, pos opk next day, temp rise and another pos OPK today. So I already O'd? Worried about the timing! And I've had crazy bad O pain on both sides this cycle. Very unusual for me. Normally I get a few twinges on the side I'm O-ing on but this time they were both twinge-y and this morning I had AF type cramps all over. Sorry for the book!

 

[Ariannda]

Well... clearly you're ovulating at least once in awhile if you've had kids Do you have regular cycles, as well as periods ? Are you doing anything besides temping ? (I can't quite figure out if you're using the OPK strips or not, i THINK you are, correct ?) Have you ever had any testing done ?

Are you saying you've charted a total of 7 cycles, ever ? And that the last ovulation you had was over 2 years ago, but you've been charting since the birth of DD ?

Sorry just trying to see what all advice i can give. I am just starting charting, as i didn't want to make myself crazy (ive decided i do in fact need to be more crazy lol) but maybe i can offer some suggestions or other advice based upon other things

 

[Ali_L]

Out of the 7 cycles I have charted only 2 were ovulatory. Sorry! Confusing how I wrote it. Yes on using OPKs. Cycles are regular, maybe a little long 36-38 days or longer. Just thought it was weird that my temp was up this morning. I expected to O today. Guess it only takes one time, right?

Just curious if other women have the same pattern or if it changes from cycle to cycle.

 

[Ariannda]

lol yes it only takes one time As i said i haven't started charting yet (today was my first day but im due to O Thursday-ish so it'll be too late for me to make any sense of it this month.

Have you had any bloodwork done on a regular basis to check for ovulation ? Anaovulation can (in theory, just like everything else fertility related) sometimes be pretty easy to correct, it's certainly determinable (is that a word ? lol)

 

[Ali_L]

I have has some testing done but only by my GP. We are only in our second month of trying for number 3.

Good luck catching the egg! I'm sure there is some normal variation from cycle to cycle. Temping really helps! You should still be able to make heads or tails out of it if you start charting now. Word from the wise, if you have less than 6 pre-O temps you will not get crosshairs. So if you O before you have 6 temps just put dummy temps in where they are missing.

 

[Ariannda]

I bought Pink Pad (it only cost $1.99) as opposed to paying the FF monthly fee, and we BD every day during the suspected week of O (i say suspected, i posted a thread a tad further down about what we have and have not done and what we are about to do as well) because the SA says semi poor motility, so the urologist and OB and primary all agreed BD every day, quantity over quality at this point lol. I believe we know when it's coming, it's just that whole pesky getting the sperm to the egg thing actually happening

To answer your original question, in another thread someone said the LP is always the same length. you *may* continue to see positive results until after Ovulation, especially if you're testing more than once a day. The general consensus is to test morning, and evening, because it can take 8-12 hours for the LH to show up enough to be caught, so if you just test in the evening (some people have recommended this however) you could have actually had a positive in the morning. You can catch the up, as well as the down swing.

Clear Blue easy monitors are raved about, but way too pricy for me personally. i WANT one, im just too darn cheap to spend the money on it. I suggest testing every day, morning and night, and taping the strips to a plain sheet of paper so you can compare them all easily. If you (you being anyone) has a fairly regular cycle then it's possible to have multiple positives. I would err on the side of caution and start the BD the first time i saw a positive.

Your GP can and should be ordering LH draws on... jeez i can't remember exactly, maybe day 3 and 21 or, 3, 5 and something (?) of your cycle to check that you're ovulating. They can also send you for an u/s which can check to see if follicles are showing as being ripe (which will lead to an ovulated egg) especially if your LH levels are off. I know personally our insurance (my SIL confirmed with her Federal BCBS they do the same) will pay for any infertility testing, and any treatment to correct infertility itself, but not actual reproductive assistance (ie they'll pay for any and all testing, but i paid for the clomid out of pocket). So certainly look into your insurance coverage and see whats allowed as well

 

[Ali_L]

You can use FF for free too. Just doesn't have all the extras...like showing that you had cramping or if you are in a fertile period. All stuff you know anyway.

I was testing multiple times a day but the surge could've started after my last test at 8pm or during the night, I guess. Either way, we dtd last night. If the egg has popped! Hahaha!

 

[Ariannda]

fingers crossed !

I apparently had a ruptured ear drum on Saturday night and popped 12, TWELVE Pills earlier trying to feel better (2 Claratin, 2 Sudafed, 4 Ibuprofen (at the Drs advice in taking 800mg), 2 Tramadol (which i dont think are doing anything), and 2 Mucinex) so im waiting to see if i at least stop having this terrible left side headache. Ugh it's so awful. It's messing up my vision, my balance, my stomach (had nausea and vomiting earlier, which could have been from the antibiotic).... i want my DH to touch me, period, my head, my hand, my arm, my back, anything. Im all kinds of snugly but then i want to go to sleep. We ND last night so today isn't necessary, but it would be ok lol

 

[Ali_L]

OMG! You poor thing! Beware of NSAIDs when TTC! You probably already know, but just in case! Ibuprofen can impair ovulation and wash away the uterine lining. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Ariannda]

Unfortunately at this point im willing to take the chance lol. We're gearing up for next month mainly. This month would be a bonus but i have zero expectations

 

[Ali_L]

Seriously. You've got to feel better soon!