https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 22 Aug 2026 14:53:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1154013 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 21:27:28 +0000 littlek 1154013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SupernovaJ: hahahhaha I was wondering any the smiley was still on the screen </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1153975 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 20:51:14 +0000 Mrs. Cookie 1153975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SupernovaJ: Ah makes sense, thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1153945 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 20:36:20 +0000 littlek 1153945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: yay!! Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1153854 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 19:45:03 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1153854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SupernovaJ: Thanks!</p> <p>@mrskoloa: Oh interesting, good to know. Thanks for sharing!</p> <p>@littlek: Glad you got a smiley face! I start OPKs tomorrow -- eek! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1152343 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 08:30:39 +0000 littlek 1152343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskoloa: huh, I did not realize that. I wonder why my OB said every other day for sperm quality. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1152338 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 08:29:23 +0000 littlek 1152338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tested last night and got a empty circle. I tested this morning and got a smiley. I kinda cheated and looked at the darkness of the lines so I had a feeling the smiley was coming. We are going for BD at EOD, just because morning is not possible with a 1 year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1152244 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 07:58:09 +0000 SupernovaJ 1152244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskoloa: Maybe I had a defective OPK but I googled it and read that once the solid smiley shows up, it's on the screen for two days. I remember thinking the smiley looked so creepy because it was always there. I don't know if it's true but I also read that you only get one positive OPK "read" per cycle, so the fact that it didn't reset the next day does make sense. But take my experience with a grain of salt, I never did in depth research on what's supposed to happen with the OPK in the days following the solid smiley. I just put mine away after a day or two and it finally went blank. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1152235 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 07:55:35 +0000 SupernovaJ 1152235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@princessandthebee: we just did those extra days (O+1 and O+2) for peace of mind. O-2 BD was by chance and I thought it was too early. But looking back it was probably BD'ing on O-2 or O that did it. However I wouldn't stop on the day of O. Everyone is different and there's really no way to know where your egg is on what day. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1152193 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 07:11:03 +0000 Mrs. Cookie 1152193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SupernovaJ: Hope you don't mind a question regarding your pregnancy, how important was BD for those days after O? My understanding is the sperm have a long way to travel and the egg is only around for minimal time so it's best to have sperm already up there to meet the egg once it's time. Which makes me think your BD on O-2 was what did the trick!</p> <p>@mrskoloa: That explanation makes sense to me! I'm going to use my previous cycles and FF to make an accurate guess on most fertile days! Hoping that works just as well as OPK's. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151999 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 23:29:30 +0000 mrskoloa 1151999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: @MrsMcD: I was looking into why SMEP works... and I think one reason is that it keeps some fresh sperm in your system (since they apparently take a couple days to die off... the healthy ones anyway), and the second reason is because the more often your partner ejaculates, the healthier the sperm are. I guess only a small percentage (20%?) of sperm is actually genetically healthy enough to make it to the egg in the first place, and that's with regular ejaculation. Every day and every-other-day ejaculation produces the best quality semen, but more than once a day reduces the quality of the semen . Theoretically, if you're only ejaculating once or twice a month, the percentage of viable sperm goes down.... and if you're doing it too much in a day, the quality goes down, as well.</p> <p>@SupernovaJ: That's strange that your opks wouldn't let you test after you got your smiley... mine did! In fact, I think the box claims you can get two smileys or something (though I only got one... just empty circles before and after) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151776 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 19:45:29 +0000 SupernovaJ 1151776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I posted about this on several other boards but always happy to share my experiences with OPKs and TTC if it can help in any way. </p> <p>I used cheap wondfos everyday of my cycle, twice a day, AM and PM. When I noticed the lines were very similar in darkness, I would use the CBE smiley digital OPK to confirm (CBE Advanced). I think I literally missed one day of using the CBE and the next day, it was a solid smiley (not flashing) which meant peak fertility. I tested at night when the solid smiley came up, but I was too tired to BD and went to bed. I tested the next morning with a wondfo and my test line was already looking lighter (BTW you can't use the CBE OPK once it becomes a solid smiley for at least the next two days, think it's to serve as a reminder that you should be BD'ing and not testing). Since it was morning and we had work, we skipped BD again, but finally got to later in the evening. We BD'd on the following days: O-2, O, O+1 and O+2 (dates verified by OPKs and temping) and got pregnant that cycle, which was our first official month charting, using OPKs and taking temps. I think we got lucky because we were able to pinpoint O. Although we didn't go the SMEP (too much sex for us ;) ), I think the SMEP ensures your bases are covered because you're DTD so often. I recommend using OPKs twice a day if it's not too much of a hassle. Don't worry if you see a solid smiley and you can't BD that moment or that day. Solid smiley means you WILL ovulate in the next day or two. Sooner the better though, and keep doing it! Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151746 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 19:22:30 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1151746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: I try....I don't always end up being as relaxed in real life as I try to be :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151732 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 19:13:59 +0000 deactivated_account 1151732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: You seem so much more relaxed about it than me. I am actually really embarassed about the display of emotion I put out when realizing that "we" were too tired to BD last night and would miss CD8. Who cares if we need to get up at 4:30 am and its already 1030 pm???? But in the light of day, all situations look a little less life-altering. You are right about CD10 being more key than CD8. You are smart, friend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151694 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 18:45:59 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1151694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: Oh my gosh I told DH that today was CD8 and he better get on the BD train and then I had to explain to him that we are trying a new method (rather than get in as many as we can around O date). I don't know if we'll be able to BD today since we have a dinner obligation tonight and then an hour drive home -- I'm afraid we'll be too tired!!! I'm so glad we're totally type A personalities together :-) I was stressing we weren't going to get one in today, but then thought as long as we get it in CD 10ish and then the three during peak fertility it should be okay (hopefully!). I feel like the CD8 is really just for fun since I know I won't O on CD 10. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151689 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 18:39:32 +0000 littlek 1151689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: crap, I just read the instructions. FMU </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151610 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 17:56:59 +0000 Mrs. Cookie 1151610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: I'm sure it'll be fine! I'm doing a loose version of SMEP, no OPK's and starting EOD when I get back from my trip. From my understanding, the main thing is EOD until you're really fertile then three times and then wait a day and once more for good luck? I'm gonna do my best but it might not match up exactly! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151601 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 17:42:57 +0000 deactivated_account 1151601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice for you, friend. I used regular CB opks. I have found that I O pretty regularly so when that expected date comes around (approx. CD 12 or 13) I use the OPKs twice a day. Otherwise, I always use them in the afternoon. I don't really know if there is a perfect time. I've had a positive at 11 pm and a positive at 8 am. </p> <p>I, too, am trying SMEP. Although I didn't start yesterday, CD8.... I nearly had a melt down thinking about starting one day off. But what can I do about it now? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151593 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 17:33:16 +0000 mrskoloa 1151593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used the regular cb opks with fmu this past cycle with no problems. The product has been researched and tested so why not follow the instructions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151592 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 17:33:10 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1151592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@princessandthebee: FX for you too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151571 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 17:14:33 +0000 Mrs. Cookie 1151571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no advice but wanted to pop in and say I plan on trying SMEP too this cycle! But I'm ditching the OPK's this time because the cheap Target brand I bought were confusing with FMU giving me false positives and they made me too confused. So I'm sticking with charting to pinpoint my fertile days. FX for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151492 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 16:19:02 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1151492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ottilie: Oh yay, glad to hear you're doing the SMEP too! FX it is effective!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151381 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:16:30 +0000 ottilie 1151381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is funny, I'm in the same boat. Doing SMEP this month and using advanced CBE OPKs. Anyway, i use FMU because that's what the instructions say. I know other OPKs don't want you to use that (and say explicitly not to), but since the box tells you to, that's what I think is correct. Also, I would do EOD during high (unless you feel up to every day) and then start the 3 day thing when you get a peak, because that is like a positive regular OPK. Crossing my fingers it works out for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1151031 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 13:04:44 +0000 bhbee 1151031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: I should probably warn you that when I was using the CBE fertility monitor in 2011 (which I am pretty sure worked the same way? this is just a new smaller version?) I got between 4-8 days of high before peak. no way we could do 10 days of BD without getting sick of it :wink: </p> <p>that said I was on clomid which I think can mess with those high readings.</p> <p>as far as the FMU thing - I don't have advice but I will tell you that I tested with my monitor with FMU and did OPKs in the afternoon (because I am crazy). sometimes I got OPK+ and peak on the same day, sometimes I got OPK+ the afternoon before and a peak the next morning. you could get some cheapies and test the other time of day if you are worried about missing the surge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1150851 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:04:02 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1150851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: Thanks! Yeah, I realized we should probably just BD ED that I get a high/peak. I mean more BD isn't a bad thing right?!</p> <p>@chibee: Hoping this cycle is the one!!!</p> <p>@littlek: Did you use CBE Advanced? I was wondering about that bc the box said to use FMU but I've heard other bees say not to use FMU....this is all so confusing :-/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1150774 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:41:19 +0000 littlek 1150774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I messed up last time using OPK and used FMU. I think the key is to use late afternoon urine. I ended up getting all high and no peak. Annoying. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1149749 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:26:16 +0000 chibee 1149749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, it gave me 3 high days and 2 peak days. I honestly didn't know how many high days i was going to get (some people get days and days after high readings) so the plan was to do every other day until we got peak readings, then every day that we got a peak. But then we had to stop ttc and didn't get to try it out! I'm excited to try this again this cycle though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1149724 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:17:18 +0000 bhbee 1149724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty sure you would stick to EOD until you get peak, because peak is the equivalent of a positive OPK. </p> <p>that said I think one extra day more or less doesn't make that much difference, as long as you make sure to BD when you get that peak/+! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smep-and-cbe-advanced-opk-wow-thats-a-lot-of-acronyms#post-1149545 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 18:42:00 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1149545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wanted to try sperm meets egg plan (SMEP) this month and OPKs for the first time! Bought CBE advanced OPK and wondering if anyone used this while doing SMEP? </p> <p>The CBE advanced said it has 4 days of peak fertility rather than 2 with the traditional OPKs so should I do EOD while high fertility and then the 3 days in a row when I get peak fertility? Or follow CBE's directions and do every day during high and peak fertility?</p> <p>I feel like a newbie at this TTC stuff all over again! (and sorry for all the crazy acronyms!) Any advice on SMEP and/or OPKs is welcome! </p>