What would you use?

MamaAnna · #1 June 25th, 2008, 06:09 AM

I'm going to use OPKs again this cycle to try to better pinpoint my O date. Last cycle it's a toss up between CD 20 and CD 23 while the cycle before it's completely unknown because I had fevers from bronchitis. The thing is I just don't know what to use. Last time I used Answer Dip Strips and had good luck with them. They all worked as expected and were easy to read. I didn't really like having to find something to put them on though (I won't just put something with pee on it anywhere!) and I wasn't overly fond of the cup, though that's minor and I wouldn't object to using it again if necessary. I was looking at midstream tests, but there's only 7 per box which worries me. Since my O date varies I just don't know that 7 will be enough. I could O as early as CD 15 and last time 4 days of positives so I'd have to start using them by CD 11 theoretically. That means I could need 2 boxes per month. Especially with digitals that can add up really fast. The dip strips have 20 per box which has me leaning towards those, but it'd only be $4 cheaper than 2 boxes of midstream tests.

What would you do? What is your preference? I'll gladly take advice! Does anybody else have an O date that likes to wander around like crazy?

*becky* · #2 June 25th, 2008, 06:15 AM

I have never had any luck with OPKs....I don't know if its because I can't hold my pee that long or what.

But I wanted to say good luck!!

~Andrea~ · #3 June 25th, 2008, 06:56 AM

I have used the Answer brand before, but it seemed to give me "false" positives. And I am guessing you are using the ones that coem 30 to a package, right? I would detect a surge, but never O. I know this is just my body and not the test, but it still made me dislike them!

This month, I used Target brand tests, which I never got a positive on. But, I pared them with the digital OPK from ClearBlueEasy, and I got a smiley face on it on CD19!!!! (On CD18, my Target brand test was negative. There wasn't even a second line!) So, and I know I am biased here but this is my plan from now on, I would use Answer Brand until it is gettng close to positive, and then used the digital and the Answer brand so you can compare which ones you like better! LOL. And yes, I do realize how obsessive I sound, but this is the first time I have O'd, so I have never been able to scrutinize HPT's, so I had to settle for OPK's.

Good Luck!

MamaAnna · #4 June 25th, 2008, 07:06 AM

The Answer ones were 20 to a pack. It's the cost that's getting me. We've had a case of pneumonia, two cases of bronchitis, and DH in the hospital so far this year among other medical bills so I can't really afford to spend a ton on OPKs right now. We're putting everything into paying off the doctors as early as possible so if we do get pregnant it'll all be caught up well before the baby is born. Plus we want to move in a couple of months and would like to have as much as possible paid off first. I could do the $18 for the Answer Strips, but not the approximate $48 for a combination of strips and digitals. Two packs of normal sticks would range from $22 to $40 from what I've seen. I'm trying to limit myself to about $20 so the cost doesn't get out of control. I know that for certain types of tests that kind of limitation is too low so I may have to go a bit higher. Just facing up to $50 a month seems like too much, you know? If I had the money I'd just buy an OvWatch and be done with it!

SavaAngel · #5 June 25th, 2008, 07:48 AM

The last two cycles I have used the answer brand regular. One of my IRL friends likes the CBE with the smiley face the best.

ShannonMVT · #6 June 25th, 2008, 08:24 AM

I use cheapie internet dip ones. I like the babywishes ones, I just bought some more and they were $22.75 for 50 of them. That should last me quite awhile.

snsgirl336 · #7 June 25th, 2008, 08:32 AM

I use the internet cheapies too- the dip kind. They work great for me and I like the cheapness-factor!

wishingxxx · #8 June 25th, 2008, 08:34 AM

I use internet cheapies too,dipstrips from fertility plan on ebay.
They are pretty cheap,you can get 50 for �9 or something.
Although these are what i use,i still say i POAS when im posting.
The results i get with these are pretty clear,i seem to be pretty lucky with O dates,they vary from day 11 normally to 14.
Good Luck xxx

Lo_and_Behold · #9 June 25th, 2008, 09:26 AM

I use Target brand OPKs and they're the midstream kind (7 in a box), but I don't POAS. I find it's SOOOO much easier to PIAC. You could always lay the stick on top of the cup so you're not setting it down just anywhere. That's what I do.
I tried to POAS on an OPK last cycle & I did God knows what..didn't hold it the right way, didn't get enough urine on it...who knows. But the lines were all messed up & not decipherable. Just wasted a test. So I said never again. Sticking to my tried & true PIAC

BabyBird · #10 June 25th, 2008, 10:58 AM

Ditto! I am a PIAC girl too. If you don't like the dip strips you can also get midstream ICs. http://early-pregnancy-tests.com has both strips and midstream tests.

MamaAnna · #11 June 25th, 2008, 11:18 AM

Admittedly I may end up PIAC either way. Every time I've tried a midstream HPT I've ended up making a mess somehow. I'm not sure how long I could POAS before switching to PIAC.

#12 June 25th, 2008, 03:36 PM

I use the "Answer" brand from Target, Wal-mart, or our local grocery store. I love them.

MamaAnna · #13 June 26th, 2008, 03:43 AM

Thanks for all of the votes and advice ladies. I'll continue with dip strips and if I ever get stocked up on those I'll double check them with digitals. I'm going to buy them off of Amazon this time. Even after shipping it'll be cheaper than the Answer ones from Walmart and they'll be good for 2 years instead of 30 days. It'll be nice to keep extras rather than be forced to throw them out!