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EandF
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 1674 total posts
Name:
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Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
How does this work exactly and do you find it worthwhile? What's the difference between this, opks, and temping?
I'm thinking of investing in one because my periods are ranging every 24-30 days, so I have no idea when I'm ovulating. Not exactly conducive to baby making.
Please let me know about your experiences and whether it's easy to use. Also, does anyone know if it's FSA covered and whether I need a prescription?
Thanks so much!
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Posted 10/25/12 11:48 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name: Me
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
You can buy it in the store but it's $150. You don't need a Rx for it. I bought mine on Ebay for half the price b/c it was used. I definitely recommend a used one because the monitor remains clean and the end of the stick that you pee on get capped before being placed in the monitor. There are special sticks that you get that can run about $30-$35 a box but they will last at least 2 cycles. I use Subscribe & Save on Amazon and get them delivered every few months.
When you get AF, you have 5 or 6 days to set the monitor. Set it at the time of day you will normally POAS w/ FMU. You will begin using the sticks on Day 6 for your first cycle until the monitor gets to "know" your cycle. You POAS with FMU within the 6 hour window (3 hours before the time you set and 3 hours after). For example, I normally get up around 9am so I have it set each month at 9. That means I have from 6am-12pm to POAS w/ FMU. Once you POAS, you place the cap on the pee end, wipe off any excess urine around the cap, and place it in the monitor. In 5 minutes, there will be a red light and the picture of the stick on the monitor will stop flashing. When you remove the stick, there will be either 1 bar, 2 bars, or 3 bars.
This is a low reading - found in the beginning and end of your cycle:
This is a high reading - I usually start every other day once I get my first high reading.
This is a peak reading - The monitor detects the LH surge which indicates that you are about to release an egg. You get 2 peak days. I BD everyday of peak and a couple more for good measure.
I use the CBEFM in conjunction with temping. CBEFM predicts O and temping confirms it. I've never gotten a peak reading where my temp didn't confirm O.
Hope this helps!
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Posted 10/25/12 12:18 PM |
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Danacm80
LIF Infant
Member since 7/09 187 total posts
Name: Dana
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
Last month was my first month using the CBEFM. It actually never peaked for me. I did also go out one night and bought the digital smiley test and that worked. My temp did confirm ovulation so for some reason it didn't detect it. I borrowed from a friend so no money lost. This month im just using the CBE digitals. I felt too pressured with the monitor to do it during a certain time. Since it didn't work for me i just don't want to deal with it again.
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Posted 10/25/12 1:20 PM |
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EandF
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 1674 total posts
Name:
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
Thank you for the replies. I realize the more questions I ask and info I get, the less I know.
So how do the digital smiley tests work? Are they easier than the monitor? I'm trying to figure out easiest, most reliable method here.
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Posted 10/25/12 2:12 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name: Me
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
Posted by Danacm80
Last month was my first month using the CBEFM. It actually never peaked for me. I did also go out one night and bought the digital smiley test and that worked. My temp did confirm ovulation so for some reason it didn't detect it. I borrowed from a friend so no money lost. This month im just using the CBE digitals. I felt too pressured with the monitor to do it during a certain time. Since it didn't work for me i just don't want to deal with it again.
I know it takes a couple of cycles to get to know you but I'm not sure if that would be the reason why it didn't detect a peak.
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Posted 10/25/12 2:30 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
It's very easy to use, a little pricey to buy, and totally worth it......it's DEAD ON with your ovulation window. It's all I relied on a few months ago when we were TTC and I got pregnant!! I'm completely irregular normally and needed drugs, IUI's, and an RE to get pregnant with my DD but this pregnancy was all natural and the CBEFM pinpointed my fertility perfectly. I highl recommend it!
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Posted 10/25/12 5:04 PM |
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EandF
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 1674 total posts
Name:
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
Thanks ladies. It seems like this is a good investment for me since I am all over the place with my cycle.
Now I need to find out if this is FSA covered. Anyone know?
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Posted 10/25/12 7:30 PM |
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newlywedT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 792 total posts
Name:
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Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
ElizaRags35
Thank you for a great write up. Its very appreciated.
Quick question, you wrote: This is a high reading - I usually start BD every other day once I get my first high reading. This is a peak reading - The monitor detects the LH surge which indicates that you are about to release an egg. You get 2 peak days. I BD everyday of peak and a couple more for good measure.
How many days do you BD in total? High reading - get X days Peak reading - get 2 days
We usually try to do it every other day, and that ends up being only around 3-4 times.
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Posted 12/12/12 11:29 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name: Me
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
Posted by newlywedT
ElizaRags35
Thank you for a great write up. Its very appreciated.
Quick question, you wrote: This is a high reading - I usually start BD every other day once I get my first high reading. This is a peak reading - The monitor detects the LH surge which indicates that you are about to release an egg. You get 2 peak days. I BD everyday of peak and a couple more for good measure.
How many days do you BD in total? High reading - get X days Peak reading - get 2 days
We usually try to do it every other day, and that ends up being only around 3-4 times.
Honestly it depends on the cycle. I have longer cycles and sometimes I have 5 days of high readings and sometimes I have 15 days of high readings.
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Posted 12/12/12 12:02 PM |
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LilMissusC
LIF Infant
Member since 11/09 63 total posts
Name: Allegra
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Re: Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor
Hi! I've been using the monitor for 11 cycles now. We only just started actually ttc this cycle (wahoooooo!!!!). I wanted to track my cycles because I was on bc for 8 years as well as meds that affected my prolactin. I love the monitor. I bought it new on amazon in a bundle with sticks and a box of hpt's. there are some very important things to know that i only learned through trial and error. The big one is you want to use a stopwatch (all smartphones have one) to time your dips. I recommend collecting your fmu in a cup and using a stopwatch to time the 15 secs. Also make sure you have nice dark pee, so restrict liquids after 9 or 10 pm. You cannot miss a test. You must test every day from when it asks for tests (cd6 or 7). Once you get a peak it's up to you if you want to keep testing, as the machine does read and store all your levels.
I also use the smilie opk's in the evening because they test specifically for Lh surge and my monitor sometimes misses my peak. So the smilie covers my bases.
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Posted 12/13/12 2:28 AM |
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