Entering a strange new world...

BeckyBozeman · #1 July 18th, 2011, 05:34 PM

I bought an OPK.

So I've never TTC before and this pregnancy was my first. I'm glad to know that I can get pregnant, and am hoping that the fact that we got pregnant while we were preventing will mean a quick BFP... but while I'm waiting for a couple normal cycles, I thought I'd see if I can figure out exactly when I O.

I've now had 36 hours with no bleeding and I usually have a 25 day cycle, so I think I'll start the test in the morning. I know that the fact that I've recently been pregnant could affect the test, but does anyone have any experience with using an OPK right after m/c?? I don't really want to waste the test, but I figure 16 bucks for the month and making me feel like I'm doing something proactive is probably worth it.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated...

outnumberedX3 · #2 July 18th, 2011, 07:49 PM

This is my first cycle using OPK's also. I've been pregnant 5 times (with 3 live births) and I've never used them before. I'm excited to be able to track my ovulation now.

I hope that you get pregnant soon!!

pepper73 · #3 July 19th, 2011, 05:55 AM

I didn't use OPK's the same cycle as my m/c so I can't offer any concrete advice there. It probably is a good idea to start now though just so you can get into the swing of it. The main things to make sure you do with them is hold your pee & limit your liquids for the few hours before you test...and test in the afternoon/evening. What I usually do is test once a day in the afternoons until I know I'm getting closer to O and the lines are getting a little darker....then I switch to taking it twice a day (once in the afternoon and again in the evening). Another thing that will help you see what your body is up to is to chart your temps. You would need a basal body thermometer that you can either order online or get in any drug store. Take your temp the same time every morning and before you get up or do anything else. I enter my temps (and other data) on Fertility Friend and you will see a pattern. Charting your temps won't tell you when you are about to ovulate, but it will confirm that ovulation has occurred. One thing to note...certain circumstances will affect your morning temps (like lack of sleep or drinking the night before). Good luck and I hope you get your BFP soon when you start TTC!

*SamF* · #4 July 19th, 2011, 06:18 AM

I've used opk's right after a m/c, and they really didn't act any different. I usually start around day 10 then keep testing up until they go positive.

Good luck! And welcome tot he dark side! (the POAS dark side

)

morris126 · #5 July 19th, 2011, 06:23 AM

This is my first cycle using OPK's too. I am going to start this afternoon. Should it be at around noon or later in the afternoon?

outnumberedX3 · #6 July 19th, 2011, 07:03 AM

^^ I heard that 2ish was a good time to start taking OPK's. Just make sure that it's not first thing in the morning!!

.:Shortcake:. · #7 July 19th, 2011, 08:53 AM

I found this link about OPK's

Hope this gives you some insight!

Ovulation Facts, Testing Tips, and Understanding OPK Tests

melissalaw · #8 July 19th, 2011, 08:59 AM

I have just recently started using OPK's also and they are fairly easy. Only problem I have is restricting my liquid intake. I drink water non stop throughout the day so that is hard for me. Good Luck. Hope you get your BFP quickly.

BeckyBozeman · #9 July 19th, 2011, 11:39 AM

Thanks ladies... I started today and it was negative, as expected. I didn't use FMU but a couple hours after I woke up without drinking anything. I'll probably do another one this evening. The whole not drinking anything is going to be hard... I'm so thirsty all the time! I'm also going to get a basal thermometer... they were out when I was at Target yesterday.

And TMI, but DB and I DTD for the first time since m/c last night and I cried... he's so sweet he just held me and let me cry as long as I needed to. He even said he was expecting it... but it was another step in helping me feel back to "normal".

BeckyBozeman · #10 July 19th, 2011, 06:04 PM

Okay so I got home and did another test... still negative. But I was reading the directions again, and they say to use FMU... ??

Does it vary from brand to brand? I suppose I could do it morning and evening...

sandiegomom · #11 July 19th, 2011, 09:37 PM

apparently according to some of the girls on here...yeah, some brands require FMU. If it says to use it...I would. also, i spent so much money last month on HPT and OPK, that I wanted something that i could not feel guilty peeing on, lol... so I bought a Wondfo brand OPK/HPT combo pack (40 opk and 10hpt for $9!!) on amazon. many of the ladies on here said they are wonderful! If i get a positive on HPT, i would confirm with a higher end brand...but wonderful screening tool. To be honest, I have gotten better lines with these cheap little sticks (opk)that i did the first response opk. (haven't used the hpt yet) anyways...good luck to you and I am sorry for your loss.