Help for an OPK rookie

Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:26 pm

Ok, so I'm stocked up with OPKs and ready to track down the elusive O window! It looks like I should start using them around Thanksgiving so I wanted to ask questions now as to not interrupt any of you while you are enjoying family and food!

My cycles have been a bit longer 33-35 days, but this last one was 30 days, and that is what I remember from our last TTC round and from before BCP. A chart I found says to start them on CD13, is that a good start day? Will I see the line get darker with each test? Should I test every 12 hours to make sure I catch it? Once I get a positive test can I stop or shout I keep testing until it is no longer positive? For HPT purposes do I start counting dpo from my first positive?

So many questions, thanks in advance!

Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:52 pm

I think starting on CD13 is your best bet, and testing at noon instead of 2x a day. My RE said if you can only test once do it at noon. Stop testing after the first positive, and if you are not temping (the only way to know for sure is to see that temperature shift) count the day after your first positive as O date, the second day after your first positive as 1DPO. Good Luck!

My Ovulation Chart

Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:25 pm

Glad you started asking the questions! This is my first month of officially TTC and I bought OPK kit w/20 test strips because my AF has been off for 2 months (lots of pre-spotting) so I couldn't figure out what day to say was CD1. I started testing only 1x per day (9:30pm) on CD 7, since I knew I would have plenty of strips (and they say they expire 30 days after opening). What I've read online says to test every 12 hours when you think you are closer to the window, so I started doing 9:30am and pm on CD 13. I am on CD15 and tried to convince myself that I saw a faint line last night and this morning, but when I asked DH he said, "There's no line there!" Party pooper! We had sex anyway.

According to my kit (Answers brand) the LH test line is supposed to be as dark or darker than the control line - otherwise it's a no go. Some experience a faint bleed in line until darker, but others do not.

I'm temping too and charting on Fertility Friend and haven't seen the temp spike that I'm supposed to see, so I'm hoping any day now and in the mean time "practicing".

I wish you luck and hope you get a sticky eggie soon!

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Thu Nov 15, 2012 6:01 pm

I won't be temping, I don't think I'd remember every morning and I'm trying to reduce my stress about this whole TTC thing. Just going on OPKs and CM and a whole lot of prayers!

DH does not like the pressure, so he doesn't know about the OPKs. It's obvious when I think my fertile window is open because BDing is definitely more frequent, but he doesn't seem to mind that.

Thu Nov 15, 2012 8:00 pm

HaHa! Mine neither! He said, "I didn't know we were going to have sex so much!" I think he would have agreed to TTC earlier if he had known. heehee! Good luck to you!!

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:34 pm

BTW - Tonight I OPK a little earlier (8:30pm) and just got a faint line!! It's my first sign that I'm not just using water on a stick. haha! Hoping for a stronger line tomorrow!! Come on O!!!

Co-leader November 2013 DDC
BlueEyedHopeful@hotmail.com

Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:41 pm

I'm looking forward to hearing about those dark and positive OPKs for you ladies in the next few days... Once I got a faint line, that's when I would start testing every 12 hours... Good Luck catching those eggies