So... let me start out by saying that I really don't like OPKs... or maybe it's just this particular brand.
This is my first cycle testing and I am still trying to figure all of this out. I don't know that I am ready yet to go all out and do the temping, charting, etc... but I figured I would try my luck with the whole pee on a stick thing and try to figure out what is going on with my body. (This is still cycle #1 after my CP, so I am just not sure what to expect).
With a pg test, any line... ANY line no matter how faint is a +. I know this because I got ripped to shreds on the TTGP board when I questioned whether my barely-there faint smudge was a bfp. I was looking for a really obvious line... but I guess that's not always the case and, appraently, I was a complete moron for not knowing that. So now I am conditioned to think that aaaaannnnyyyyy line is a good line.
Well, now I've had a CP and am trying to figure out when I will O (AF came a went early last week)... This cheapie OPK I have (and I know buying a cheapie is 99% of my problem)... says that the line has to be as dark or darker than the control. Come on... are you really going to make me break out a color wheel and figure this out? I mean there's a line... it might be a dark as the control... might not. So annoying.
For those of you that use the line/darker line style OPKs... is it reallllly obvious when your line is darker? If it is there, but not darker, does that mean that tomorrow will most likely be obviously darker? Should I just give up on this kind and find a digital or start temping/charting?
Re: OPK Mind fvck (bfp mentioned) vent
Good point. Some extra BD wouldn't hurt anyway (although it's difficult with our going on 3 week long house guests... ugh lol)!
I am just trying to figure out what is going on with my cycle and I feel like my eyes are playing tricks on me. Line, no line, dark line, dakER line. I should probably just stick with digital tests. I need something obvious!
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monica & kevin married 5.28.11
bfp 8.11.11 - m/c 8.17.11
bfp 11.11.11 - edd 7.25.12
PGAL/PAL Always Welcome
I went through the exact same thing last month. Thought, I would just try the OPK because I don't have a clue how to temp chart and anyway it was my first cycle so what the hell difference would it make.
I was using the 2 lines and couldn't figure out whether it was positive or not. Though one day it might have been but then not really. then all of a sudden there was only 1 line..... so frustrating. I then went out and got the smiley face digital kind and wasted a whole pack of those ... I either missed the day or didn't O. I subsequently went out and bought a bunch of early pg tests. wasted all of those second guessing when the earliest date I could test (10 to 12 days from the day I thought maybe was a sort of dark line).... BFNs all around and then AF confirmed the results.
I am going to try the smiley face digital tests again. Although I didn't go out and buy them yet and probably already missed it. Lol.... I am temping as well this month, sort of.
P
EDIT - Oh and I gave DH the box of pg tests and told him not to let me have them until the day my AF is due... so I wont' be such an obsessive moron this month.
____________________________
Breast Cancer diagnosis 12/01/2010 - Survivor and Cancer free as of 03/22/2011
BFP#1 04/12/2011 - fetal demise - MC 05/28/2011
BFP#2 10/14/2011 - fetal demise - MC 12/13/2011
BFP#3 05/30/2012 - fetal demise - MC 07/23/2012
IVF#1 02/14/2013 - 2 Beautiful Blasts transferred
BFP#4 02/25/2013 - BFP - MC and ectopic 03/06/2013
IFV#2 07/02/2013 -BFP#5 - 07/07/2013
1st Beta 07/11/2013 - 483 (9dp5dt) - 2nd Beta 07/13/2013 1006 (11dp5dt)
1st U/S 07/31/2013 - TWINS! "The Minions"
IVF#3 BFP#6 09/01/2015 6dp5dt
1st Beta 09/05/2015 - 105 - 2nd Beta 09/08/2015 335
1st U/S 09/22/2015 - .......
OPKs are hard to get a hang of. I use the wondfo brand... they're cheap and they're really good.
When the OPK line does get darker, it is easier to tell. However, if you have questions, keep a few of the CBE digital OPKs on hand. Then confirm with that. {Which is why I PIAC instead of POAS}.
Or, you can upload your picture on here and show us! I like determining lines.
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
Genius. This is what I am going to start doing. I don't really want to test 2-3x/day... but if I get a result that is questionable, I will test will test with a digital. I should have thought it would work similar to a pg test. (duh!)
@babyvdm- glad I'm not the only one who isn't completely sure about this stuff. Thanks for sharing! I always feel like an idiot when I have these kinds of questions, but not sure who else to ask. DH wouldn't have a clue and my friends think we should just be "having fun" and "let it happen naturally"... most of them are also lucky enough to already have a few healthy children.
@cashewsmommy- good idea too. I will probably start PIAC instead of a stick. Just in case...
Thanks everyone else for the words of wisdom. so helpful!!
Miss Mrs. New & Improved Blog Chart
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monica & kevin married 5.28.11
bfp 8.11.11 - m/c 8.17.11
bfp 11.11.11 - edd 7.25.12
Just be warned. When you PIAC, you're more apt to keep dipping sticks in! That pee is so inviting.
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
Wrong on so many levels. lmao. Love it!!! I will remember not to dip too many sticks in my inviting pee cup.
Miss Mrs. New & Improved Blog Chart
Online Garage Sale
monica & kevin married 5.28.11
bfp 8.11.11 - m/c 8.17.11
bfp 11.11.11 - edd 7.25.12
I also started using OPK's this cycle. I followed the advice of many ladies on here and used the cheapies twice a day and once I thought I had a positive then I confirmed with a digi and it worked really well. Good luck!