OPK questions

Whats the best one to get? and how much do they cost?

Can you explain how it works and how often you use it...do you have to buy them often, or is it just one?

i think we'll start BDing in the summer..so do you think it would it be too soon to start the OPK now?

I'm a little worried...here i am thinking that once you try to get pg it happens...but it doesnt seem to be that easy.. so i want to prepare as much as i can!

Thank you !!

Re: OPK questions

Well there are a few different OPKs.

You use them sort of like a pregnancy test (you pee on them). It isn't just one test. Most tests come in packs of 7. There are a few that come in packs of 20. Then there is the Clear Blue Easy Monitor- which is in essence a little "computer" that you feed the test strips into.

Basically, depending upon your cycle- you start using the OPKs slightly before when you think you are going to ovulate, and then you continue until you get the surge. The surge is when both lines match exactly. In the past 7 months i have been TTC- i've had nothing with trouble in interpreting the lines: dark on one edge, light on the other- almost dark, etc etc.

I have since made the move to Clear Blue Easy Digital OPKs. They aren't the monitor, they are strips you pee on- but instead of the two line reading you get either a circle or a smiley face (the smiley face means you are about to ovulate).

Last month I used them with much success- and even though they are $40 a box- I will continue to use them b/c it takes the guess work out.

Re: OPK questions

I started with the Answer 20 pack since I didn't know when I O'd. Thank goodness I did b/c I tend to O around CD20 (not the textbook CD 14). It suggests you start them a few days before you anticipate your O and to test between 10am - 8pm. This was difficult for me b/c I drink alot of water and my urine was always diluted so I wasn't sure I was getting accurate readings. I also had a hard time interpreting them, however many other women use them and really liked them.

I decided to go with the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor. The monitor is pricey, but worth it for me. It tells me exactly when to use the sticks and it gives a digital reading - so you know when you are high and peak fertility. It is measuring your LH as well as estraidol (sp?), and you can use FMU vs. testing in the afternoon.

Hope that helps.