Good Morning Everyone!!!

I'm 27 years old and I still have questions about this whole reproductive thing.

I hope you ladies can help. Me and my husband have been trying for about 2 years now. We've never had problems until we concieved our beautiful twin boys. Unfortunately, our babies didn't make it. Since then, my system just asn't been the same. I how sparatic moments when af doesn't show for like 3 months. It's terribly hard to pin-point ovulation. I've taken provera so many times I should have stock in it.

We have been trying but i haven't done the charting or temperture monitoring at all. I dont have a chart and wouldn't even know how to chart. So sometime in January, my dr gave me some clomid (50mg days 5-9). I've been traveling and this was the first month that I started taking the clomid. I wasn't able to start the clomid due to traveling and the fact that I was diagnosed with cranial swelling (by the way, I still dont know the outcome of that crap).

I guess I really want to do this the right way by charting and taking the temperture and just keeping track of everything.

Is there anywhere I can go to chart?
How does the charting thing work?
Can I take my temperature with any thermometer?
Does ovulation happen when the temperture drops or rises?
Where can I buy opk for cheap?
Are there certain brands that work better?

Any comments will be useful.

Thanks, and I know I'm starting to bug people!

[margo1973]

I am sure you are not bugging anyone.

If you are going to chart, I would recommend fertilityfriend.com. It will keep track of temperatures for you and let you know when ovulation is detected. You need a basal body thermometer to chart. It's more accurate. You can buy it at most drugstores or pharmacies. The day after ovulation, your temperature should rise and stay elevated until your next period.

If you chart for 2/3 months and you are not detecting ovulation, take the charts and go see your doctor.

Sorry I don't know anything about cheap OPKs as I have never really used them but that maybe another alternative to charting to detect when you ovulate.

[rmiller1122]

I don't buy the "cheap" opk tests, but that is just my personal preference. I normally buy the Answer brand at Walmart. You can also buy any opks on ebay if you would like.

Good luck with everything!

Thanks ladies!

[Blue Eyes 409]

Is there anywhere I can go to chart? Fertilityfriend.com is great it helps you to chart and shows you when you o'ed so you don't have to try to figure it out yourself.

How does the charting thing work? You have to take your temp at the same time everyday. Even weekends. I had a really had time in getting used to it but it really helped my DR isknowing what was going on with my body.

Can I take my temperature with any thermometer? It is best to use a BBT one and you can get them at Walmart for about $7 You need to use the same one for a better reading.

Does ovulation happen when the temperture drops or rises? My temp would drop a little then shoot up but everyone is diffrent. Fertility Friend will show you 3 days after you ovulate.

Where can I buy opk for cheap?I never used them but try Walmart or Ebay.

Are there certain brands that work better? I have heard answer OPK but I think it is all up to you. The ClearBlueEasy Fertility moniter is supposed to be great but it is not cheap.


If you have ANY questions please feel free to ask us anything that is what we are here for!!

[SummerRose]

Hi! You are definately not bothering anyone
Is there anywhere I can go to chart? Fertility Friend is the most useful I've found
How does the charting thing work? You take your temperature every morning when you wake up. It must be the exact same time everyday. Even on weekends.
Can I take my temperature with any thermometer? You must use a BBT therm
Does ovulation happen when the temperture drops or rises? Ovulation is confirmed by your temperature going up, you usually will know about 2-3 days after you O
Where can I buy opk for cheap? I use a monitor, but you can buy cheap ones online, or pick them up at Walmart / Zellars etc.
Are there certain brands that work better?Not sure.

[iamkc]

You're absolutely not bothering anyone! That's what these boards are for--help, support, and silliness.

I used FertilityFriend, which will give you a free VIP membership when you first sign up, but drops to basic after your first month. You can upgrade, though. Many women also use OvuSoft and really like it. You pay a one-time fee and it keeps track of everything, too. (Often, women will use them in conjunction just for peace of mind.)

BBT thermometers definitely work best, and like the other women said, temp at the same time every day, even on weekends, hopefully after 3 hours of sleep. Try to keep your sleeping conditions the same as much as possible--heating blankets, heaters, A/C, open windows, etc. all will affect your temp.

My temp always dropped right before O. Sometimes it shot up, others, crept. (The creeping is frustrating because you wonder if you DID O.) After a couple of cycles, though, you'll start to notice a pattern--or lack of one.

I used Answer OPKs from Wal-Mart and was very pleased. They come in a 7-pack, I think, for about $11. Not cheap, but I only used one per day, starting around CD 11. (This was after I had figured out about what day I might O.) For several cycles, I just didn't bother. I could tell that my body was gearing up to O and BD'd just to cover the bases.

Let us know what you choose and how you stock up!!! Good luck, of course! I found temping to be enormously fun...but I'm a dork!