Tests

[jessesgirl]

Ok, so a couple of questions about TTC tests.

The home ovulation kits...worth it? No? Why or why not? IF they are worth it, what is one thing I need to know when buying them?

My gynecologist said that he would start all the tests for Jesse and me to make sure we are "working right." What do those tests entail? I'm still waiting on ihm to call me back, but I want your take on it. Thanks girls!

 

[Catholic Wife]

My doctor insisted I use OPK's even though I used the fertility monitor, and I found that they showed an LH surge around the same time. The good thing is that they are accurate. One bad thing is that you may need to test twice a day to catch the beginning of the LH, which means testing in the morning and afternoon. Another bad thing about OPK's is if you have a long or an irregular cycle, you can end up spending a lot of money on them. One thing to know about OPK's (as well as FM sticks and HPT's) is to make sure they they haven't expired. The expiration date is usually on one end of the box.

In my opinion, OPK's (ovulation kits) are good at verifying an LH surge, and temping is good at telling you that you have ovulated, but CM and CP (cervical mucus and position) are better predictors of when you are about to ovulate, as is the fertility monitor.

Testing for me included blood work to verify various hormone levels during different times of the month, an u/s to make sure my uterus and ovaries were structurally sound, and an HSG to make sure my fallopian tubes were open. Testing for my husband was SA, but he refused to do it (he insists that there's nothing wrong with his swimmers).

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

yeah, the ovulation kits kind of helped me a little bit... confused?! lol! Well, for starters, I never got a positive, but I got weaker/stronger negatives which correlated with my temps showing ovulation - but that took a few months to figure out! I agree with Catholic Wife, temping and OPK's are great for showing when you DID ovulate - which by then is usually too late! It is helpful if you do it for a few months and see that you ovulate around the same day every month...

As for OBGYN tests, they only tested me, as they assumed since I had fallen pg before that my DH was fine! Basically it involved blood tests and ultrasounds on certain days of my cycle to acsertain whether I had ovulated or not...

 

[jessesgirl]

My issue is that I am so irregular that I don't think the temping would do me any good. I honestly don't know how to address it. Justin was just a beautiful "accident" and I don't know that we could do it again if we tried. I want to try, though. I go in Monday for a round of blood tests. Jesse has agreed to be tested, but I think he would be devastated if he ever found out his guys weren't swimming.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I am irregular also, and I temp, my charts show ovulation, or atleast bi-phasic temping.

 

[jessesgirl]

I guess I don't know where to start and the odds of me reading that big, fat book are not very good, at all.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

go to Fertility friend and take their tutorial. Or download their handbook, it is only 40 pages, in PDF format.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I had no idea where to start, so I just bought a BBT at wal-mart and used their charts until I remembered my id at fertility friend, then this month I added looking for CM and CP.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I also read through this site: http://www.natural-family-planning-works.com/natural-family-planning-101.html it is for NFP but it is great at explaining signs and symptoms of ovulation.

 

[Catholic Wife]

In the past year, my cycles have lasted between 26-35 days, with a 12-15 day LP. Honestly, learning to recognize my CM & CP pattern has been the most helpful thing in knowing when I'm about to ovulate - no matter how long or short my cycle is (and they correspond with what the FM and OPK's show). Recognizing the changes in my CM/CP help me know when to start using the OPK's so I don't have to use so many.

 

[jessesgirl]

Can I be honest and say I have no CLUE what you're talking about with the abbreviations? I guess I need to go brush up on them, especially if I am going to start TTC full force.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

CM= cervical mucus
CP= cervical position

 

[Catholic Wife]

Sorry.
There is a sticky with TTC Abbreviations at the top of the forum.


CM = cervical mucus
CP = cervical position (I also include the way it feels and if it's open or not)
LH = luteinizing hormone (the hormone that triggers ovulation that is detected by OPK's and FM)
LP = luteal phase (the time after you ovulate until your start your period)
OPK = ovulation predictor kit
FM = fertility monitor (I also use CBEFM for Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor)

 

[ChristianMama84]

I agree, buy a BBT at Wal-Mart and chart on Fertility Friend first, at least it's free and is a good start. Then you can put your chart in your sig and we can help you if you have any questions. I hope you get PG soon.

lol Yeah, Remy was an "accident", too, just 2.5 years into TTC and finally giving up when we moved in with my parents.

 

[jessesgirl]

Ok, so they did some bloodwork on me and are testing J's sperm this week. So do I have to wait for my cycle to start in order to chart?

 

[Catholic Wife]

Ok, so they did some bloodwork on me and are testing J's sperm this week. So do I have to wait for my cycle to start in order to chart?

You don't have to wait to chart; but depending on where you are in your cycle, you may not get the "whole picture" this cycle. If you will be charting cervical mucus and position, it helps to get all the practice you can.

 

[felinity]

Well, you have to wait for your cycle in order for it to be very useful information. But you can certainly start charting your temps now to help you get into the habit of it!

 

[jessesgirl]

And how do I...chart my temps? I'm so lost. I have a thermometer *to* chart them, but I don't know how.

 

[Leanna]

Taking Charge of Your Fertility has a list of objections to ovulation tests.... do u have the book? feeding baby or maybe i could type it

It says temping is better and I agree.... even with irregular cycles you learn A LOT from your temps

 

[jessesgirl]

I have the book but it is packed away in storage....way down deep in a bunch of boxes...in TX. I'm in NC until January