I've bought my mission pack!

[MissJuly10]

Hi girls!

CD3 and AF is slowly on her way out and I'm just umm-ing and ahh-ing over my pack of OPKs and basal thermometer. There are 50 OPKs and I'm wondering whether this is enough!

I was planning on starting them a couple of weeks after AF, I know I have long cycles but sometimes they're shorter and there lies my dilemma.

When do I start using them??

I don't want to miss anything and I know there's a chance I don't ovulate because of my stupid cycles but I'm wondering whether to add more OPKs just incase.

When is the best time of day to use OPKs?

My last cycle was 65 days (got AF on 66th so counting it as 65) and cycle before was 42 days.

I know I'm supposed to do my BBT straight away in the morning before I get up etc but I'm unsure about the quantity of OPKS.

Any advice? x

 

[Kezzamunster]

Hey MissJuly
I haven't got too much advice really but didn't want to read & run
I'm going to start using mine as soon as the witch has disappeared, like you don't want to miss a thing just in case
Were you going to use once or twice a day? If once then should be ok
xxx

 

[LouiseB]

I'd start using them as soon as af goes on your first cycle.

Just to make sure you've covered all your bases.

I personally prefer to use my OPKs first thing in the morning but i know that it is widely regarded better to use them in the afternoon.

I'd personally just see how you go and tailor it to yourself.

If you use them both in the morning and in the afternoon for a couple of days and see if there is a difference. It's extremely unlikely that you will OV early on considering the length of your cycles, so if you are getting a second line at one particular time of day then it is safe to assume that your urine is too concentrated at that time of day and it might be better for you to use them at a different time of day.

Ideally you want no line at all when you aren't ovulating

 

[Tracey M]

I was just about to ask the same thing on another thread.....Hey, this is the info I got on my last lot.... However, If I was you I'd start testing from CD14, once a day, same time every day and once you get closer to CD40 maybe move to twice a day?? I'm no doctor so maybe best to ask GP

STEP 1: WHEN TO START TESTING: Determine the length of the menstrual cycle. The length of the menstrual cycle is the number of days from the first day of menstrual bleeding to the day before bleeding begins on the next period.
Determine the usual length of the menstrual cycle over the last 3-6 months. Then, refer to the Ovulation Calendar Cycle Chart below to determine on which day of the menstrual cycle to begin testing. If your cycle is less than twenty-one days or greater than forty days, consult your doctor.
Cycle Chart
Your Cycle Length
Day to Begin Testing
21 days
Day 5
22 days
Day 6
23 days
Day 7
24 days
Day 8
25 days
Day 9
26 days
Day 10
27 days
Day 11
28 days
Day 12
29 days
Day 13
30 days
Day 14
31 days
Day 15
32 days
Day 16
33 days
Day 17
34 days
Day 18
35 days
Day 19
36 days
Day 20
37 days
Day 21
38 days
Day 22
39 days
Day 23

 

[maybe baby]

Hi Hun,

For the first cycle I just use them every day from the end of AF, keep them and then you can see what's going on the whole cycle, your LH may go up and down and it might be useful to keep them for reference if you need to try and work out what's going on with your cycles.

A 3 day AF sounds strange to me?

Are you sure it's AF?

xx

 

[MissJuly10]

Thanks everyone, that was really helpful!

I was going to give it a a few days after AF before using them because I won't ovulate til later on anyway and it will hopefully save me some OPKs lol.

Hmm. I suppose if I start running out I can always get some more. I know some people use them twice a day but if I did that I'd only have 25 days worth and that's definitely not enough so will only use them once in a day.

Maybe - My last AF was from the 23rd-27th September, they only last between 3-5 days usually. x x

 

[Kezzamunster]

Mine are normally about about 4 days
xxx

 

[kizzibea]

The first cycle I used them I started on CD11 (about four days after end of AF on a 27 day cycle). I just did one a day. And continued using them until 6DPO.

This cycle I started testing on CD12 because I had a better idea of when Ov was. I actually used 8 OPKs this cycle because I did a couple on two days because I started on a new batch & I wasn't convinced they were working.

I'm on CD18 now and I probably won't test again this cycle.

If you're using one a day you should have enough. I do mine after lunch, between 2-4. Seem to get better results the later in the day I test.

 

[MissJuly10]

Ooh interesting.

I've paid for them now so they should be here around Wednesday/Thursday - right smack bang when OH is off work! I will probably use them around CD10 then because after AF is the follicular phase right?

Ah, got a major headache at the moment, must be all this excitement. x x

ETA - And if I do my temp in the morning, I could use my OPKs in the afternoon. I'm going to try and be super organised and keep all of my OPKs so I can see the changes.....If there is any! x x

 

[kizzibea]

Yeah, I've kept mine, even from the cycle before this one so I can compare them.

I've also been temping in the morning & testing in the afternoon. Don't like temping very much but I figure I've only missed one day this cycle so might as well keep going with it.

 

[MissJuly10]

Ooh ok I'll temp in the morning which will probably be around 6am/6.30am most mornings as I'm always awake when hubby goes off to work and then OPK about 4pm if I can wait that long!

Does that sound ok? x

 

[kizzibea]

Yeah that sounds good. The thing with temping it to remember that you're supposed to do it before you do anything else. I've got really good at that now, I roll over, stick the thermometer in my mouth, tap the temp into my phone & doze off again.

 

[MissJuly10]

Lol!

Yeah, I read that - will have to get my trusty notebook to record the temp in!

x x

 

[Kezzamunster]

Ooooo quick question about taking temp, I'm up at 5:20am
That's not too early is it?
xxx

 

[MissJuly10]

I wouldn't have a clue, I've never done temping before. Sorry I can't help there but I'm sure there'll be someone who can help. x x

 

[Kezzamunster]

No probs at all MissJuly
xxx

 

[MissJuly10]

Oh no!!

I've only just managed to get an email from the seller saying I didn't specify what combo I wanted of tests so they've sent a standard split....The listing said 50 OV tests/HPTs but I'd emailed and asked how much she would charge if I added another 20 OV tests and explained about my cycles etc so I would assume it would be obvious what I'm after? Anyways I've just sent a message so hoping they get it in time, if not I've paid for 25 HPTs I don't need. x x

 

[MissJuly10]

Phew!

Just got a reply to say my order has been changed. Gah, was so annoyed at myself then! x x

 

[Kezzamunster]

Eek

I hope they can sort it asap for you hun & it's soooooo frustrating when they don't read things properly either, just rubbish customer service!

xxx

 

[MissJuly10]

Ah I know!

My fault too though but never mind, all sorted I hope! They said they've changed my order so I'm really hoping it's been done before it's been dispatched! x x