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@HeartAbandoned: Heck yes! ( I actually just looked for a BD emoji before realizing I wouldn't even want to know what that would look like)
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@Mrs. Oreo: @BHBee: @knittylady: Thanks ladies! I'm so excited that things seem to be working the way they are supposed to. I don't know that I'll really exhale until I see a post-ovulation temp-spike, but I'm thrilled with the positive OPK to start! --And yes, a BD emoji would be hilarious, but also a little disturbing! Haha!
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@knittylady: I've seen one on other boards ... it's definitely a little disturbing!
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@bhbee: OMG how do I find this without ending up on a weird list.
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My first ever pack of OPKs (wondfos) are out for delivery! What should I know before taking one? I gathered from earlier discussion in this thread that testing in the afternoon is better than with FMU, at least until the test line starts to darken. I'd most likely be testing when I get home from work between 5 and 5:30. Do I need to adjust how much water I'm drinking/hold my pee for a while beforehand? How long? TIA for any advice! All the OPK info I've come across incidentally makes my head spin a bit, almost seems like more of an art than a science.
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@nanilani: I'd try to hold for as long as you can. 4 hours being ideal but 2 being fine. Just my opinion though!
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@knittylady: Does it have to do with needing a higher concentration of hormones in the urine? I thought the problem with testing with FMU was that the concentration can be too high and thus inaccurate.
Not doubting what you say at all, I'm scientifically-minded just like to understand how things work.
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@nanilani: Oh I didn't mean long as possible as in FMU! I've also heard FMU is inaccurate for OPK's because LH will build up too high to be assessed accurately I believe...
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@knittylady: I know you meant for afternoon. I was comparing the two as the reasoning for each seemed to be at odds. I guess there must be a sweet spot for LH somewhere between two hours and all night
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@nanilani: My understanding is that LH, which the OPK tests for, tends to be more concentrated in the afternoon, rather than first thing in the morning, so it's more likely to show up/test positive in the afternoon. I have been testing after lunch and after dinner, as the instructions that came with my strips said that until you have a good idea of when your fertile window might be, testing between 11a-3p and again between 5p-11p will help you be sure to catch your surge. I tested yesterday after lunch, and the test line was almost nonexistent, but after dinner, it was almost positive. After reading on this thread that others have had luck using FMU after noticing a darkening line, I tested again this morning and got a positive. I'll keep testing today and probably tomorrow until I see the line start to fade again, so I know my surge has come and gone. Everything I've read says that once you've seen your surge (test line darker than control line), you're likely to ovulate in the next 24-48 hours. As for holding it/not drinking water - I have tried to hold it until after lunch or after dinner, but haven't decreased my fluid intake, as a headache from dehydration is one of my least favorite things. But that's just my personal preference! Good luck!
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@lilyofthewest: I didn't realize you had had a second beta. I'm sorry to hear it's flat. I unfortunately am well versed on the issue. Keep us updated and feel free to PM me anytime. I know you're a nurse and know the ins and outs, but I'm here if you need to talk
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@HeartAbandoned: OK, I must have misunderstood why FMU is not ideal. Thanks for filling me in. Right now my plan is to test after work and once it starts to darken also test with FMU. Maybe I'll try figure out how to discreetly sneak a pee cup into the bathroom at work to test after lunch too. Unfortunately I have NO idea what days I'm likely to be fertile as it changes from cycle to cycle. Over the past year my cycles have been anywhere from 32 to 78 days long.
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@nanilani: I keep a wristlet with bathroom cups and OPKs in it in my purse, and take that with me when I test at work. If my coworkers are paying attention they probably think I've been on my period for a week and a half now!
This is my first cycle off BC and I have PCOS, so I'm clueless about what "normal" is for me, so I've been testing since CD5.
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@knittylady: Dr google has led me to this site many times during ridiculous ttc googling ... quite the list of emojis available!
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@HeartAbandoned: PCOS here too. I ovulate on my own now, but I was diagnosed five years ago when I never got my second cycle post BC. That "cycle" lasted four or five months(!) before I saw my GYN and she induced my period. I hope your cycles are more obedient than mine were
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No real info from this morning's ultrasound. No free fluid, no beak sign, no adnexal masses, nor any sign of an IUP. They asked me to return this afternoon for additional scan with different tech and real time physician review. So, waiting to be probed again now.
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@lilyofthewest: Thinking of you. Did they draw more blood for betas in the event that they don't see anything again?
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@lilyofthewest: Sorry you're in such a limbo right now. Thinking of you.
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@lilyofthewest: I am so incredibly sorry you are going through this. We are all here for you and hoping for the best possible outcome.
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@lilyofthewest: I'm so sorry girl
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What do you ladies think of this? I'm on CD 24 and still no positive OPK. Don't ask me why I cut the strips...
Top is from around lunch and bottom is just a bit ago.
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@knittylady: No! I'm feeling so irritated with everyone's over-specialization. I had to hound my midwifery practice to order betas in the first place (they just wanted to reassure me I was probably trending down slowly but normally). Then when I trended UP abnormally, they referred me to their parter MFM practice for evaluation. The MFM gave me a very, very thorough sono eval, but, they don't follow or manage pts for pregnancy of unknown location/ectopic/loss. The midwives can't do much for me with an ectopic or loss, so, I've been referred to an OB/Gyn practice I'm also established with. That practice wants 2-3 business days to review the records from my midwives and the MFM before they'll schedule me for anything. Fortunately, the midwifery practice is going to continue serial betas for me in the interim.
Of course, it was too late to get drawn today by the time MFM said they wouldn't do it, and the OB/gyn told me they had to review my records. So, I'll get another beta tomorrow morning, continue hounding the OB/gyn practice, and take myself to the ED if I become symptomatic.
Basically, I guess I keep trying to convince people that there's roughly a 45% chance that I have an ectopic and could they please take me seriously?
@Mrs.Panda: @bhbee: @HeartAbandoned: @Coral: @periwinklebee: @Mrs. Oreo: Really appreciate all y'all's support and well-wishes!
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I am happy to update that the ob/gyn practice called me back. Their reception staff didn't realize it was urgent, but, the doc did. So, I'm getting an aspiration tomorrow -- if they don't find any leftover tissue from my loss in April, they'll presumptively treat for ectopic. Whew!
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@lilyofthewest: so sorry you are going through this.
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@lilyofthewest: so sorry it's happening but glad you got some attention! Hope tomorrow gets you some answers
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@Mrs.Panda: that's pretty close! For me that would mean I'd get a positive soon but I don't have a long surge usually.
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Of course I have crazy ewcm and no husband until Thursday at midnight. we can't get this timing right!
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@lilyofthewest: I'm so sorry you are going through this. Big hugs
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@nanilani: The instructions that I was given from my RE regarding OPKs is to get up and go to the restroom and then do the OPK roughly an hour later.
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How's everyone doing this morning? I'm feeling excited that July is right around the corner!
@lilyofthewest: I hope your appointment goes as well as possible today.
@Mrs.Panda: Let us know what your OPKs look like today--I agree with @BHBee: I think you're close!
@bhbee: So frustrating when the timing just won't fall right! Hoping you've got a super egg in there that will hang around until your hubby gets home!
Here's my chart as of this morning. I was hoping for a bigger temp jump, but maybe I'll see one tomorrow? It's been so long since I've charted!
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@Marfi: Thanks! It's nice to know what a medical professional recommends. I would've had no idea about needing to hold without the boards. It's not in the instructions that came with the OPK (which perhaps means it's not that important after all).
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Finally! CD 25!!
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@Mrs.Panda: Wohoooo!
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@Mrs.Panda: get to it!!
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@HeartAbandoned: I bet you'll see a bigger jump tomorrow!
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@Mrs.Panda: awesome!!! Get at it!!
@bhbee: Thanks! I hope so! I keep having dreams about temping--so strange!
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Excited to be joining you all on this board. I have been reading these threads for a long time, first time posting!
Cycle Day: 6
TTC Cycle: 13
Ovulation Date: TBD - ultrasound and bloodwork 7/6 to see if femara is doing its job!
POAS Date: TBD
Baby #: 1
What's up this month: 1st cycle with femara (cycle days 5-9) hopefully it works the first time!
For Fun: Favorite hot weather recipe? Love anything on the grill with a great macaroni salad! -
@Mrs.Panda: joining you with a positive opk!
Here's my question, I got a positive this afternoon and negative this morning. Earliest we can bd is tomorrow around midnight. Should we also do Friday night? I guess it's possible it could matter?
Also does anyone else get ovulation spotting? I've been seeing it in cm the past couple days but it's new to me at this point in cycle. Hoping it means a really awesome ovulation is about to happen
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So the best thing about not using opks is not obsessing about what dpo you are...because I have no flipping idea.
I guess I just wait for AF?
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@LittleLovebug: good luck with Femara!
This is my first cycle off BC and I have PCOS, so I'm clueless about what "normal" is for me, so I've been testing since CD5.
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