https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 06:29:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972231 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:14:21 +0000 Kezzeranne 1972231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OPKs are also expensive. Fertility Friend is a great app. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972205 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:03:44 +0000 Bubbles 1972205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Little Misters Mom: thank you! Sorry about all the clueless questions, I was on hormonal bc for years so never even thought about any of this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972203 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:02:00 +0000 Little Misters Mom 1972203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bubbles: If you google resources for "Natural Family Planning" (NFP, the method used by some practicing Catholics) there is a ton of stuff out there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972200 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:00:32 +0000 Bubbles 1972200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much - sounds like temping is the only way to go to do this properly! Could anyone point me in the direction of the best online place to learn about temping and see if it's for me? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972186 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:50:00 +0000 pui 1972186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Temping would definitely be a better way to avoid pregnancy... OPKs and CM are both pretty unreliable ways of pinpointing O. If your cycle is very regular than you might be able to use these methods to prevent decently.</p> <p>Like a PP said, sperm can live in your body for days, so if you had sex the day before a positive OPK if might be too late to prevent pregnancy. The only time you could be fairly certain that sex won't lead to conception (although still not 100%) is 4-5 days after your positive OPK, since once you have O'd you can't get pregnant... The trouble is you can't be completely sure of when you O'd without charting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972176 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:38:29 +0000 Bubbles 1972176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@QBbride: That's good to know. I am definitely aware of the change in cm which will help. I think I'll defintely avoid the first half of the month in case of early ovulation - but I guess there's not much you can do about a 'false positive' opk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972168 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:32:12 +0000 QBbride 1972168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think OPKs are sketchy for preventing pregnancy. Firstly, you should get a + 12-48 hours before you ovulate, but sperm can live for up to 5 days so say you had sex the day before a positive OPK... you wouldn't be safe. </p> <p>Also, you can get a + OPK but then not ovulate at that time, so unless you take them for the whole cycle you might think you've ovulated only to ovulate later...</p> <p>I think CM is much more reliable but still not fool proof. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972141 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:22:58 +0000 Bubbles 1972141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you so much. I think I'll def go with the opks at first as I don't really know what I'm doing - and probably use protection for the first half of the month as my cycle has only just regulated since weaning DS. Hopefully I can get DH on board - he does not understand how this whole shebang works and is v over cautious! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972121 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:14:56 +0000 Snowdrop 1972121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>CM means you are fertile, then when you O you should notice a sudden decrease in CM. For avoiding I would stop when I saw fertile CM then continue again 3 days after the last day of fertile CM. I don't think I'd bother with OPKs but that is because I feel CM was my best predictor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-opks-to-prevent-pregnancy#post-1972101 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:00:48 +0000 Bubbles 1972101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I'm on my phone and having trouble finding the answer...</p> <p>I am thinking of using opks to avoid pregnancy. I know this isn't fail safe and temping would help - but I am hoping to avoid that as it wouldn't be the end of the world if we conceived. </p> <p>My first question is, how many days after getting a positive opk should I wait before having unprotected sex? I am thinking 4 - does this sound about right? </p> <p>Secondly, I notice a definite change in CM around o time, does this mean o is happening or is about to happen? I don't want to rely on this alone, but wondering if it can be a way of knowing when to start opks? </p> <p>Thank you! </p>