Just started our 6th cycle TTC. Thinking about investing in a clearblue easy OPK. Haven't used OPK before, just charting (temp and CM). Yay or nay on the OPK? Any advice/comments on the CBE OPK specifically? Thanks!
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These worked very well for us and we got pregnant the first month we used them. My friend who was trying to conceive for year and a half got pregnant the first time she tried them too. Good luck!
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For me, I use wondfo OPKs (purchased in bulk on amazon, incredibly cheap!) and only use the CB digital OPK to confirm a positive or a negative if I'm unsure of the results. The reason I do this is because I have pretty irregular cycles and my O days are not consistent, and digitals are not exactly cheap to use 15 days in a row. If your cycles are consistent, i think CB digitals are great!
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@travellingbee: Ooh I like to hear that! And congrats
@chibee: Mine are pretty regular so I think I'd probably start out just using the CBE and if it takes a while long then maybe add the wondfos. Thanks for the advice!
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@NorCalWayfarer: I think they are super reliable, and SO easy to use, i definitely would recommend it over wondfo for people with predictable cycles! Are you thinking of getting the regular CBE or the advanced? I have both and I really recommend the advanced, although more expensive it gives you more of a fertile window.
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@NorCalWayfarer: @travellingbee: Yep. I used a CBE Fertility Monitor and got a BFP month 6. (I started using the CBE at month 4.)
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I started using the OPKs at 3 months TTC. I am still TTC (currently in an IVF cycle) but they have been extremely helpful. When I went to my doctor to discuss not getting my BFP yet, the first thing she asked is if I was using OPKs. If I had not been using them, she would have told me to use them for 3 months before we could talk about TTC and more testing. It's always good to have more information. Hopefully you will get your BPF the first month and won't have to go through what I have.
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@chibee: I hadn't really made it that far in my research yet, but I'll take your word for it and do the advanced!
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@justdarling: Oh wow, good to know! Yeah, makes sense that the more information can't hurt. And hope your IVF cycle is successful!
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Yay. Temping tells you after you've O'ed. OPK will tell you before. So the two together will give you a definite answer of when you O.
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@NorCalWayfarer: Definitely do it! It not only detects a surge in LH (indicated by a solid smiley face) but it also tells you when your estrogen is on the rise (indicated by a blinking smiley face) so you have about 3 or so days BEFORE the LH surge for BD opportunities - the first month i bought this i had to unexpectedly stop TTC due to a scheduled surgery, so i never got to actually TTC with it but kept testing - it was very accurate and gave me a 5 day window instead of the usual 2 i get with regular OPKs!
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I started using CBOPKs this cycle (currently in the TWW). I have had no real issues with it. I have a longer than usual cycle (30-35 days), but I followed the directions in the box and started on CD6. I used first morning urine. I did not get a smiley until CD 22, and I only got one smiley instead of two (which is probably indicative of catching the middle of my LH surge, rather than the beginning and the end of it). From my internet trolling, I think that you can have a positive for LH surge but not actually ovulate (though this is rare) so I know a lot of people combine OPK with BBT to confirm actual ovulation, rather than just the LH surge. I don't measure BBT (I think it would figuratively drive me crazy) but since you're already doing it then I think the OPK will just help to confirm what you're already seeing in your chart. I know a lot of women on our Oct POAS thread are temping, using OPK, and SMEPing, which might be something else to add to your daily regimen
Good luck!
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Isn't the CBE expensive? I've been using cheap OPK's from the start...wondfo's specifically. They've always worked well for me (and by work well I mean I've caught my O each time). I'm on month 4 currently.
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@Littlebit: It's about $36 for 20 tests... about $1.80 per day. I think it can be considered expensive if you decide to use them every month for the next 12 months... but perhaps for someone who just wants to see the hormonal side for a month or two, the cost may be negligible. Personally, I don't mind paying the extra for a clear answer, esp. since this was my first cycle using any OPK.
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I used them for 7 or our 10 months of TTC - now that I know what day in my cycle I O my doc said don't waste money on OPKs. Just enjoy yourself and have lots of sex around that time.
ETA: Not KU yet
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@mrskoloa: @Littlebit: Yeah I'm willing to spend that much for a couple of months worth of knowledge (and then reevaluate if I'm still not KU). And I don't want to bother with the difficulty of trying to interpret the wondfos right now, since this will be my first month with OPKs. I also do FRER even though they are more expensive than other tests, and just wait until AF is late -- I tried dollar store tests the first month and it stressed me out!
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@mrskoloa: Yeah, I never thought of it like that. I bet you could also resell it pretty easily once you get your BFP!
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@babycanuck: Yes! I think it will be good for me to have a little better predictor of O since I've also been temping. Once I use OPKs for a couple months I'll hopefully either be KU or have a pretty good idea of when my fertile window really is.
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I used them one month prior to officially TTCing and in the month we conceived. I also temped for three years, so I had an idea of when I was ovulating.
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I use wondfos and the regular clearblue digital ones if I think it is positive. They're both pretty easy to use and I think they help with timing.
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@NorCalWayfarer: fingers crossed it is the same for you!!
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@chibee: Oooh, good tip about the Advanced, I didn't know there was a better version! I actually ordered the regular CBE tests 20 mins ago on Amazon, just saw your comment and was able to cancel the order right away. Just ordered the Advanced! I tried to wondfos last cycle and never saw any indication that I was ovulating, so I'm going back to the digital tests even though they're more expensive.
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I've used OPKs and found them helpful if you at least somewhat know when you expect to O. If you have irregular cycles, I would suggest charting too. I had multiple positive OPKs one cycle but no temp rise or period.
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Thanks ladies! Just picked up the CBE advanced and hoping along w my continued charting that this month will be successful! I appreciate all of you're responses and recommendations !
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