[wishing]

Hello

I am not new to TTC but I have not tried at home in years. My last few pregnancies I was single and did IVF so no worrying about trying to figure out body...lol.

I have since remarried and we are trying to a baby. I am going to see RE today to come up with plan. We already know we want to try at home for a bit. My question is OPK I have never used them. The dollar store here sells them and was going to pick up a bunch. I am on CD 5 today. I have very irregular cycles. What day should i start? Do I test everyday or everyother?

[KASHWORTH]

I start CD 10 and test everyday until +

[Lucky Mama]

When you test will likely vary a little from others. Typically though, if you start testing around CD 10 or 11, that's a good place to start. You should test everyday, usually afternoon and/or evening is best, and keep testing until you get a positive test (test line is as dark or darker than control line). I usually tested for a couple of days after my first positive so I could see how long my surge was. Some tests pick up an LH surge earlier than others.

After your LH surge, you will typically O 12-36 hours later. So, once that test is positive, you should start baby dancing right away. They can take a while to get the hang of, but they can be pretty helpful in figuring out what you're cycles are doing and when to BD.

Also, do you take your temps in the morning? An OPK will detect an LH surge, indicating your body is preparing to O, but a rise in temps will confirm it. Sometimes, your body might start the process of Oing, but not actually O. Taking your temps will help you confirm that you did, in fact, O. Fertilityfriend.com is awesome for charting!

HTH!

[wishing]

no I have never taken my temp.

[muffin]

Welcome!

OPK's aren't nearly as daunting as they seem. On the plus side, if you're ever in question about whether or not they're positive, post a pic here and you'll get a million replies! (We love us some pee sticks )

I'd reccomend "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" if you want to learn about charting. With irregular cycles, charting can really give you a ton of information about your cycles and potential issues. Fertility Friend (website) also has some good tutorials and a charting app for you to keep track of everything.

As for the OPK's, like PP said, you should definitely use them at least once a day. With irregular cycles, I'd take the length of your shortest cycle and go back 16-18 days and start testing then. (For example, if your shortest cycle is 24 days, you should start testing at CD6 or CD8. Whichever you feel comfortable with.) Don't use FMU, and don't drink extra/less than you normally would. Just "go with the flow" if you will...

Your RE will likely want to run a few tests because of your cycles. Definitely a good idea so that you can nip any issues in the bud and not waste time/energy/sanity on trying to figure out what's going on!

Also, I see that you're in Ontario! I'm in Whitby (Just outside of Toronto) so it's nice to see somebody else from around here!

[dustywillow]

Your first month, you'll probably spend a lot of time testing until you figure out your typical LP and typical O date. I don't O until CD16-18 so I don't start testing until CD12. So, to start out, I would test on CD10 and continue to test until you get a positive OPK.

I would give fertility friend a try and try to get a basal thermometer to take your temp each morning before getting out of bed, as well as taking the OPK's. It'll help you understand your body a lil more.

Good luck with TTC.

[wishing]

Muffin I was living in Whitby for like 10 years but just bought a house in Oshawa a few months ago.

I am going to go get some OPK tests tomorrow. I am starting clomid tonight doc said to test everyday and then he is going to do testing on day 21 to ensure that I did actually ovulate.