Totally new to OPKs, help needed please!

[DubChick]

Hi

So I've been cervix and cm checking for the last 3 weeks, not charting my temps yet as I need to get a thermometer today. I've been inputting data into the Ovia app which is showing that I've had a 3 week fertile window based on my cm and cervix (I know cervix isn't the best was to chart due to it often being high/slightly open after having children previously, plus it's my first month on the app.)

I think I might like to start using OPKs as well, to try and cover all bases, but I literally have no clue what they do or how to use them.

I know I need to wee on the sticks each day, in the afternoon if possible, for a few days before, and during, when I think I might ovulate. But what do the sticks actually show? What makes them change colour? Is it that you're going to ovulate that day if you get a dark line, or have you already ovulated?

And I just need really cheap ones as hubby thinks he has super sperm and so it will just happen with us without any planning (because his daughter was conceived when her mother was supposedly on the pill, even though she'd been sick - he doesn't want to think that at my age I might struggle, plus it took me 5 months to conceive my youngest child) so I'm not involving him in the whole charting thing.

Sorry for the long post, I never do things by halves lol.

Thank you if anyone can help! Xx

 

[chattychar1990]

Hey Dubchick.
You can order a big batch of OPK's off of either ebay or amazon. I ordered mine from ebay and i also got some pregnancy tests with them too and i think they cost me around £4 (for 30)
Take a look at the link i have provided - this helped me when to work out when to start using the opk's http://spermmeetseggplan.com/
The sticks will have a control line on them and when the line is the same colour as the control line it means you will ovulate in the next 24 hours so DTD for the next 3 days. That way you would have done all you can.
I find it easier to pee in a plastic cup and dip the stick rather than pee directly onto it.
It can also take 10 minutes for the line to show so dont throw away after a few minutes.
Hope thats helped you a little bit and good luck on your TTC journey. Its a crazy journey!!!!

 

[baby.3]

Hey dubchick!

As previous poster said, you can pick up one step ovulation strips really cheap on ebay or amazon.

Most people begin using the opks around cd10 and use them for as long as you need to. I generally use them cd10 once a day until I see a change in the test line. For an opk to be classed as positive the test line has to be as dark as the control line or darker. Once I see a change I test twice a day just because my surge happens fast.

What your looking for is a positive test. This means the the hormone lutenising hormone is surging. This is the hormone that is responsible for telling the ovary to release a mature egg. Once the surge peaks ( positive test) the egg will usually be released 12 - 36 hours later. So, you are best to DTD every other day to make sure you hit the egg. But your actually more likely to fall pregnant from having sex in the days before ovulation.

It might take you a cycle or two to figure out when you ovulate, once you know this you can plan DTD a bit better. Rule of thumb, once you see the second line changing start DTD every other day - or every day of your up for it!

Hope my waffle helps, good luck xxx

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[Princess81]

There’s not much to add to what has already been said above. Opks with temping and charting, alongside acknowledging your body’s own physical signs will give you your best view of what is going on.
As one of the others have said, unlike pregnancy tests, an opk test must have the test line as dark as the control line (sometimes darker) for it to be positive x

 

[DubChick]

Wow, that's a lot cheaper than I thought they might be! Thank you so much ladies, I really appreciate your advice.

I will have a look at buying some and start using them once I've received them.

Thanks again ladies, babydust to you all �� x