too late for OPK's?

Danica · #1 November 13th, 2007, 12:10 PM

So I think I will O this week (my period started on the 1st) and I want to try OPK's this time around but I haven't used them before and don't know... Is it too late to start? Do I have to test like a week in advance and monitor my progress or do I just test when I think I am O'ing? Thanks ladies!

AmandaEliz · #2 November 13th, 2007, 02:12 PM

Hey Danica,
I used OPKs for the first time this month. I used First Response & it was really easy for me to see. I thought I was going to O Fri-Sat, so I started testing Wednesday. I tested as close to the same time each day as possible. I saw no difference between Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat. Sun might have been the tiniest bit darker (BD just for good measure LOL). Then Monday was VERY clearly positive, so I wouldn't worry about monitoring progress.
At least w/ FR OPKs, the measure the LH surge that happens 24-36 hours prior to O. As long as you start testing more than 24 hours before you think it's O time, I think you'll be good. I was surprised that my calcluations were several days off, so I'm glad I used the OPKs.
Keep me posted, as we'll probably be testing around the same time! Hate that 2 week wait. I'm just glad I have Thanksgiving & a trip to my parents' in Myrtle Beach to distract me some.
Fingers crossed for both of our

MinDB · #3 November 13th, 2007, 04:30 PM

hey! i use the Answer brand--it's cheaper--comes in a 20 pack--Bobbie uses the same kind, i think.
last month i got a positive test the first day i used it--which just happened to be right at the time i was going to O.
this month, i started a week before i'm due to O. AF started on the 2nd for me. i would say go ahead and start now.

victorialv · #4 November 14th, 2007, 08:47 AM

Hi Danica, the month I got preggers was the 1st time I charted/used OPK's, but one thing I did find that surprised me was that I O'd much later than I thought according to just CM. So, not sure if you chart or not, but I think OPK's are AWESOME!! I would defintiely start a few days before you expect you will O, or otherwise you might miss the surge which happens 12-36 hours before you O.

Danica · #5 November 14th, 2007, 12:41 PM

Thanks girls! I did end up buying some OPK's yesterday. I tested around 8:30pm so I'll just do that every night now. The line was real light so I hope I didn't O yet. I think that I O later than typical though because I usually have a 30 day cycle. Anyway, I am hoping these suckers work!

So why do the instructions say don't use them past 30 days of opening. Is that like them saying, don't read the hpt after 5 minutes cause results are invalid? Like just a CYA type thing? Does anyone else use their previouse month left overs for the following month or do you just throw them away? (not that I think I will need them because I swear I am going to get pregnant this month HAHA, only posititive thoughts here!!!)