Fit For Future Families 2

abeare

Temping and OPK both have their issues with things if you are not 100% healthy.

OPK will give you an idea of ovulation before it happens - but you need to have a certain level of hormones before it works properly, so if you don't ovulate at those levels or miss the time when the levels are acceptable, you'll get negatives.

Temping tells you when you ovulate, but only after it's already happened. I'm personally a temp-er, only because you can also tell when your AF is going to visit. You also learn much more about your cycle.

If you get really into it, CM (cervical mucus) is the best indicator but a lot of people find it too intense to go that far to predict. I found it most accurate, especially with PCOS. Temping wasn't always accurate (environment plays a factor there too I found, time, etc.) and OPK would never work for me since ovulation is a hit or miss monthly. Temping also requires a minimum 3month baseline, whereas OPK can be used on the first cycle but can get expensive.

My opinion, do everything you can to get to where you want to go - all hands on deck so to speak. If you use more than one method, you're more likely to identify the ovulation time period (and added benefit, plan around AF).

Have I mentioned lately that everyone here is awesome!
Thanks again for the info, I’ll try temping for a while seeing how my cycle has been at 32-33days for the past 8-9 months now.

JennyBoBenny

Temp doesn't go up until after ovulation. Expect the peak of temping to be tomorrow. As for the OPKs, I think they are designed to show when best to time things to conceive. Theoretically, you want to actually baby dance before ovulation so everything is at the right place at the right time. It's riskier to wait until after O'ing although still possible to conceive.

Right, I've read that ovulation can happen anytime between 12 and 48 hours after a +OPK, so I wasn't fully expecting a temp shift this morning as I got a - yesterday morning and + at 7 pm. I figure I'll get my temp shift tomorrow. However, I was expecting to keep seeing a +OPK because it said your surge can last until you actually O. So that confused and concerns me.

I'm on another TTC site and from what I get from the women there the morning OPK isn't very accurate. I know the Clearblue tests say you can do it, but I've heard it's not a good idea. Maybe you want to try to test again tonight. Otherwise, I would assume you are Oing 48 hours from last night. I don't temp, so I'm not really sure.

I'm on Fertility Friend and I read in the VIP boards about OPKs and how they work. Apparantly it can vary woman to woman. Sometimes you may get a +OPK for a few days and sometimes just on one. It definitely tells you when your hormones are surging and O will be on its way (whether that's the next day or two days from now, you won't really know until your temp rise happens and by then it may be too late!). Basically, I think the idea is to go to town with the BDing on the day you get a + and continue after that until you know you've O'd by a temp rise.... or if you're not temping, you can just guess I suppose!:laugh:

I'm a temp-er & monitor my CM, and I'm getting to know my body quite well because of it. I may incorporate OPKs when the time comes, but I find I can tell from my CM and my low temps that I will O sometime in the days of 14-18 (been day 18 both months so far). I've also felt a slight cramp on day 17 both months since charting, so I'm guessing that's ovulation cramping... or gas. :laugh:

epa422

I think I just talk to too many women with PCOS who get a +OPK and don't O. I won't worry about it unless my temps don't go up by Wednesday. We started BDing last night since we missed our EOD on Saturday. It's still better than we usually do when I O on CD 15 or 17.

fitterpam

For those looking for something to help get them kick started, I've heard really great things about Vitex blends. I think GNC US has them for men & women. They are specifically designed to have hormonal results. PCOS'ers seem to love em. My only issue is that GNC CA does not carry them. When I approached the salesman, he offered one for men to help his "vitality". LOL that's not our issue. It's having the hormones to do the things we want to. Vitex is a natural herb - from the chasteberry tree.

With my sister finishing her Masters at Niagara University, I have asked her to pick it up. But she doesn't want to bring drugs back across the border. We might have to just suck it up and go down for a weekend shopping trip - maybe for Christmas shopping.

kcurtis05

For those looking for something to help get them kick started, I've heard really great things about Vitex blends. I think GNC US has them for men & women. They are specifically designed to have hormonal results. PCOS'ers seem to love em. My only issue is that GNC CA does not carry them. When I approached the salesman, he offered one for men to help his "vitality". LOL that's not our issue. It's having the hormones to do the things we want to. Vitex is a natural herb - from the chasteberry tree.

With my sister finishing her Masters at Niagara University, I have asked her to pick it up. But she doesn't want to bring drugs back across the border. We might have to just suck it up and go down for a weekend shopping trip - maybe for Christmas shopping.

THANKS! :happy:
So I have looked into this a little more....and WOW! Everything that I have found is positive! It sounds like a little miracle pill! I will have to look into it further if I have no luck by Jan. I would like to let my body work on it's own for a bit.

ivygirl11

I took vitex and bled for 2 weeks straight. I have never done that before... it was awful. They taste SO nasty, and you should have seen the look on my Gen Dr's face when i told him that i took vitex. he usually is one for trying more natural practices but he didnt want me to mess around with this...

JennyBoBenny

Vitex is a natural herb - from the chasteberry tree.

Chaste-berry? :laugh: How ironic!:bigsmile:

kt4au

Okay, so I tested today and it was a negative. I should have just waited another day and could have saved a test because AF showed up about 30 mins later. Oh well, we will see what this month brings. I left a message with the doctor today to see what the next step is because I already did 6 cycles of Clomid. DH is always trying to look on the bright side of things. Today he said, "that's okay, we can try harder this month, if you know what I mean." He cracks me up sometimes. Good luck to everyone this month!

fitterpam

I took vitex and bled for 2 weeks straight. I have never done that before... it was awful. They taste SO nasty, and you should have seen the look on my Gen Dr's face when i told him that i took vitex. he usually is one for trying more natural practices but he didnt want me to mess around with this...

Strange. My doc is usually against natural therapies but found Vitex to be fine. You're also the first negative I've heard...good to know

fitterpam

Okay, so I tested today and it was a negative. I should have just waited another day and could have saved a test because AF showed up about 30 mins later. Oh well, we will see what this month brings. I left a message with the doctor today to see what the next step is because I already did 6 cycles of Clomid. DH is always trying to look on the bright side of things. Today he said, "that's okay, we can try harder this month, if you know what I mean." He cracks me up sometimes. Good luck to everyone this month!

That happens to me EVERY time. Seriously - in 9 years, I've probably bought 100 individual sticks. Every time I test, within 24 hours, AF shows. My husband's joke is we should go straight for blood tests - either natural or lab. LOL

epa422

Awww, sorry kt4au. I've learned just to not test because every time I get a negative, I spend however many days that it was a false negative and then AF shows. I started waiting until I was late, then the time I was 2 days late and decided I would test once we got back from a vacation, guess who showed right before we headed back? Bah! I hope you have good luck this cycle!

pmaria10

Wow, so much to catch up on! Thanks to all who contributed to information on "Oing" I found it quite informative! I do have one ? what does CD stand for?

That's the only acronym I couldn't figure out.

As for me I had a nice weekend with my in laws in Arizona but did eat a lot! I'm changing my weigh ins to Fridays because I really don't want to know what I've put on over the weekend I kind of went crazy eating red vines (I just can't seem to stop once I open a pack).

Just to remind me my goals are to continue my walking schedule am/pm and drink at least 10 glasses of water.

epa422

CD = cycle day. CD 1 is the first day of red flow. Ewww, sorry to be so graphic.

ivygirl11

I took vitex and bled for 2 weeks straight. I have never done that before... it was awful. They taste SO nasty, and you should have seen the look on my Gen Dr's face when i told him that i took vitex. he usually is one for trying more natural practices but he didnt want me to mess around with this...

Strange. My doc is usually against natural therapies but found Vitex to be fine. You're also the first negative I've heard...good to know

Yes it was strange, i read ALOT about vitex and after it had worked for a couple of my friends i decided to give it a go... But as with any medication it can affect everyone differently... I think its great if anyone wants to take it, just be aware that with anything it can either be good or bad. My sister took clomid and HATED it... I take clomid and it really hasnt been that hard on my body and will continue using (unless i am pregnant). For me it was worth it to spend a little more for the clomid, mine is only 18 a month and the vitex was around 45 for 3 months...

kiffypooh

Okay, so I tested today and it was a negative. I should have just waited another day and could have saved a test because AF showed up about 30 mins later. Oh well, we will see what this month brings. I left a message with the doctor today to see what the next step is because I already did 6 cycles of Clomid. DH is always trying to look on the bright side of things. Today he said, "that's okay, we can try harder this month, if you know what I mean." He cracks me up sometimes. Good luck to everyone this month!

I'm sorry! I try so hard to wait until at least a day or two past when AF is due (I'm not regular so I don't always know when that is) but I have a hard time not taking the test. A couple months ago I went to the Dollar Store and bought 10 tests, I don't feel as guilty wasting the money when it's only $1 a test.

kiffypooh

So, I did not succeed on following through with ANY of my goals today. I had Starbucks, ate TWO meals out and didn't walk and drank soda TWICE! Why do I do this to myself? I wish I was mentally in my healthy journey where I was just 6 months ago. making healthy decisions because it's what I did. I did get the Guiltless chicken sandwich from Chili's today though.

I have an O question. I felt cramping and pressure down there today, so I'm assuming I was ovulating (I got the positive OPK yesterday). If that is the case if I BD after that feeling is it too late, or do you want to BD tonight so the egg has a group of swimmers to meet it? I know when to BD with the positive OPK but wasn't sure with the cramping.

Thank you! :flowerforyou:

ivygirl11

Ive never been exactly sure on when to BD if you are ovulating and feel it in the morning... Like i said i just try to do it every other day during the time i am supposed to "O". I heard that sperm can stay alive in you for like 72 hours or something like that, so i feel pretty good that his sperm is getting to where its supposed to be... I didnt really answer your question but i hope someone else can cause it will be good to know...

Ok so i have a question...

Having PCOS my periods are crazy. I have only had my period 3 times this year. But like most of you know i took clomid this last cycle it came on day 40 on its own. I ovulated on day 15. I have been feeling "crampy" all weekend and today, it feels like AF is right around the corner. Should i feel confidant that AF will start between day 28-30 or since i have PCOS there is a chance it may not come for weeks? This is my first time ever ovulating with clomid and my period never came on its own when i took it before. I either had to take provera or just let it come...

I know people say they have had period like cramps in the early stages of pregnancy but is that really true? I mean do they really feel like period cramps? Can i still be hopeful even though i am feeling them. Oh and the PMS signs i do get is crankiness. my fuze just is very short, but this time i have been SO flippin emotional. crying over the littlest things whether they be sad or happy. Like audrina dancing tonight on DWTS totally made me cry?!?! WEIRD!!!

ETA- If i am not preg i am just happy that i ovulated because that does not happen. Of course i want to be preggo but i have to keep a clear head and stay positive even if the result is not exactly what i want... today (mon) is day 26

JennyBoBenny

I have an O question. I felt cramping and pressure down there today, so I'm assuming I was ovulating (I got the positive OPK yesterday). If that is the case if I BD after that feeling is it too late, or do you want to BD tonight so the egg has a group of swimmers to meet it? I know when to BD with the positive OPK but wasn't sure with the cramping.:

I get the cramp a day before I ovulate so I say go for it and good luck!!

JennyBoBenny

I know people say they have had period like cramps in the early stages of pregnancy but is that really true? I mean do they really feel like period cramps? Can i still be hopeful even though i am feeling them. Oh and the PMS signs i do get is crankiness. my fuze just is very short, but this time i have been SO flippin emotional. crying over the littlest things whether they be sad or happy. Like audrina dancing tonight on DWTS totally made me cry?!?! WEIRD!!!

My best friend told me she got cramps for days before she tested positive. She was CONVINCED that AF was coming but it never did. The thing of it is, that pregnancy symptoms and PMS symptoms are supposedly so similar it can drive you crazy wondering! My fingers (and toes) are crossed for you! What CD do you think you may have O'd? Good Luck!! :flowerforyou:

jalara

Good morning ladies!

For those of you who haven't heard, Angela (from the preggo group) is a mommy now!

Ivygirl - quick question - are you being followed by a doc on the clomid?

sasmll6577

I just had a baby 7 months ago and yes, I had period like cramps for the first several months and was sure AF was coming. Even when I knew I was pregnant

epa422

I ovulated on day 15. I have been feeling "crampy" all weekend and today, it feels like AF is right around the corner. Should i feel confidant that AF will start between day 28-30 or since i have PCOS there is a chance it may not come for weeks? This is my first time ever ovulating with clomid and my period never came on its own when i took it before. I either had to take provera or just let it come...

Since you ovulated, your period will start 10-16 days after you ovulated (or less, but then you should talk to your doctor about that because that's not normal). If it doesn't start after 18 days after ), then they say that you're most likely pregnant.

epa422

I have an O question. I felt cramping and pressure down there today, so I'm assuming I was ovulating (I got the positive OPK yesterday). If that is the case if I BD after that feeling is it too late, or do you want to BD tonight so the egg has a group of swimmers to meet it? I know when to BD with the positive OPK but wasn't sure with the cramping.:

I would BD for a few days after a +OPK, or at least every other day for a few.

My temp still hasn't gone up far enough for me to feel safe saying I did ovulate and I got a +OPK on Sunday, too. Hopefully it will go up tomorrow.

fitterpam

I ovulated on day 15. I have been feeling "crampy" all weekend and today, it feels like AF is right around the corner. Should i feel confidant that AF will start between day 28-30 or since i have PCOS there is a chance it may not come for weeks? This is my first time ever ovulating with clomid and my period never came on its own when i took it before. I either had to take provera or just let it come...

Since you ovulated, your period will start 10-16 days after you ovulated (or less, but then you should talk to your doctor about that because that's not normal). If it doesn't start after 18 days after ), then they say that you're most likely pregnant.

Agree with Erica. If you know for sure you ovulated on day 15, then you should know by day 31 for sure either way.

What day is it now, out of curiousity?

AlisaToth

Just had to share this, the whole family is getting involved in the baby talk!

Last night my husband and son (5yr) were in the garage and my husband asked him if he was "ready" to sell/give away his old toddler bike since he got a new "big boy" bike for his birthday...His response "No, because if mommy has another baby and I get a brother...orrrrr sister (realizing that IS an option as well) they might need to use it!" I thought it was really sweet that he wanted to keep it to give to his future baby brother or sister...

epa422

That's very sweet, Alisa.

epa422

I had a very bad day yesterday, foodwise. I imagine it's hormonal because after a week of not being that hungry, I was ravenous last night... and today. *sigh* I didn't have time to workout either as I was trying to do some contract work in the evening after my real job. Tonight we're visiting a family member in the hospital, so I imagine I won't workout again and we'll probably end up eating pizza or other garbage. :frown:

kcurtis05

I had a very bad day yesterday, foodwise. I imagine it's hormonal because after a week of not being that hungry, I was ravenous last night... and today. *sigh* I didn't have time to workout either as I was trying to do some contract work in the evening after my real job. Tonight we're visiting a family member in the hospital, so I imagine I won't workout again and we'll probably end up eating pizza or other garbage. :frown:

I know JUST how you feel! That was me last week and this past weekend. Just remember tomorrow is a new day to make new choices. You can find the motivation and will! :flowerforyou: :happy:

Alisa~ that is SO sweet!

ivygirl11

Ivygirl - quick question - are you being followed by a doc on the clomid?

I have had a HARD time finding a good dr around her without paying a fortune. My first dr after 1 round of clomid told me there was nothing more she can do for me and that i needed to see an actual fertility specialist. I got referred to the Dr and instantly told me he felt that i had endometriosis. So i had the surgery done and sure enough they did find some... So i tried clomid with him 50mgs but he never said ANYTHING about coming in for the 21 day prog test, or putting my on provera or anything. It seemed weird since my friends were all having these things done. So for about 2 years i decided to try on my own. without the help of any dr's. I decided to go back to the same dr last nov. and he gave me clomid with 4 refils on it. Took it the first month and nothing, in fact my period didnt even come until like march (this was nov). I knew that i couldnt take the clomid if my periods were that messed up. So in august i noticed that my refils experied the next day, so i felt what the heck i will just get it filled and try and find a new dr in the meantime. So i found a new dr who actually does the 21 day blood test. Who uses provera if your period doesnt come after day 31, and i just happened to ovulate this time i have an appt tomorrow to get a new RX for clomid and provera.

Sorry long story...

ivygirl11

I ovulated on day 15. I have been feeling "crampy" all weekend and today, it feels like AF is right around the corner. Should i feel confidant that AF will start between day 28-30 or since i have PCOS there is a chance it may not come for weeks? This is my first time ever ovulating with clomid and my period never came on its own when i took it before. I either had to take provera or just let it come...

Since you ovulated, your period will start 10-16 days after you ovulated (or less, but then you should talk to your doctor about that because that's not normal). If it doesn't start after 18 days after ), then they say that you're most likely pregnant.

Agree with Erica. If you know for sure you ovulated on day 15, then you should know by day 31 for sure either way.

What day is it now, out of curiousity?

I am on CD 27!!!