[AliciaF]

I've been using OPK's since cd4 (Target brand if that makes a difference) I am on cd11 today. They have all been negative, as I've expected. The test line is about the same color on all of them too. Will they just be darker on the day I ovulate or should I expect the line to get a little darker every day?

[Christine-MA]

Do you chart? I only ask because CD 4 is awfully early to start OPKs (but maybe you O very early or have very short cycles, that's why I ask). But if you tend to have a normal cycle, that's going to get expensive.

But to answer your question, I believe I have seen it both ways. I've seen some women whos line progressively gets darker until it's a definite positive, but I also know of some people who it stays pretty much the same until the one day they get the positive. So that's really no help!

[AliciaF]

No, I haven't been charting. I was always very regular and always O'd on cd14 but this is my first cycle since my loss and I had O symptoms on cd4 so I figured I would start them then and just use them every day until I got a positive for the first cycle.

[Melanie0507]

Here's my take on OPK's, coming from a few months experience with them.

First, if you O on cd14 normally, you probably don't need to start testing until around cd10-11. Also, if you may want to do this every month, you may want to order some test strips online (I like babywishes.org!) Also, if they are cheaper, you can afford to use more than 1 per day, if need be.

Anyways, you only want to use OPK's in the middle of the day, not first thing in the morning like HPTs. I usually find that early afternoon is the best time for me, but everyone is different.

At the beginning, you wil probably see a very faint line. As it gets closer to the surge, the line will start to get darker and darker. Eventually, it will be the same color as the control line or even darker...that's a true positive. Sometimes, I will get a darker line early in the day that's close to positive but not quite there, and then if you test a second time later in the day, you will get the positive!

I hope this isn't too basic for you. I was a little confused when I first started using them, so I hope this all makes sense and helps!

[AliciaF]

That does help. I have been using them around 1:30 in the afternoon and really trying to hold my pee for 4 hours prior. I am on cd11 and my lines haven't gotten darker at all yet though....

I don't know why I'm so worried. I've always gotten pregnant very quickly and got pregnant the first cycle I tried for #'s 2 and 3.

I just know how bad I want this and though I'm trying not to get my hopes up this cycle I know I'll be upset if it doesn't work

[Christine-MA]

I just want to add that I used OPKs for 3 months when I originally started TTC.

Month 1 I used FMU (I didn't know it was recommended not to). I got a positive, and my temps agreed that I O'd that day according to FF.

Month 2 I tested later in the day. I never got a positive. But my temps did show that I O'd.

Month 3 I went back to FMU and got a positive (that agreed to my temps), and I got pregnant.

So I think for me, I will use FMU even though you're not "supposed to".