O Test Question

JenW1029

If you get a postitive O test, how long do you have to sex with your partner? 24hrs? I've been taking about three O tests a day, and it looks like my strongest test line was yesterday evening. Of course my husband was sleeping already, so we had sex tonight... does that fit the O timeline?

gscoville

It all depends, some women have longer surges, some have short ones. I've seen it say you usually O between 12 to 36 hours after your last positive. Have you kept testing or did you stop after last night's positive? Your sex tonight may or may not be in the window, there's unfortunately no way to know unless you're also temping.

JenW1029

Thanks for the reply. We had also conducted the deed on Friday, Saturday, Sunday was a no, and Monday was a yes. Not temping yet, we just started TTC so I'm trying not to overhelm the husband. I just we'll wait and see what happens.

gscoville

JenW1029:

Thanks for the reply. We had also conducted the deed on Friday, Saturday, Sunday was a no, and Monday was a yes. Not temping yet, we just started TTC so I'm trying not to overhelm the husband. I just we'll wait and see what happens.

I asked if you kept testing with OPKs after yesterday's positive? It's best to keep testing until you see negatives again. I've had three days of positives, with my actual ovulation confirmed by temping on the day after my last positive test. That means if I had stopped testing on the first day I got a positive, I would have thought I O'd that day or the next, when in fact I didn't O until a few days later. 

JenW1029

Yes I've kept testing and will continue to do so. The control line and test line are both present, but test line slightly lighter (than last night). I'll test again before bed, as it's possible it could have been slightly diluted ...

angelsnight

It all depends on how long your surge is, and how long after you ovulate.  When you say strongest line, does that mean you only had one positive test?  Some women have a fade-in/fade-out pattern, but those don't count in your surge.  Your surge goes from your first positive test to your last.  It's good to take note of how long your surges last so if it takes several cycles, you can see a pattern and give you some idea.

My surges typically last 48 hours, and then I usually O 48 hours after my last positive, but every woman is different.

Once you ovulate, an egg typically lives 12-24 hours before it dies and conception is no longer possible.

angelsnight

JenW1029:

Yes I've kept testing and will continue to do so. The control line and test line are both present, but test line slightly lighter (than last night). I'll test again before bed, as it's possible it could have been slightly diluted ...

Don't compare test lines to other test lines....I mean you can notice a pattern of them getting lighter or darker (rather than stark white and then bam, positive...or vice versa).  When determining if your test is positive, only compare the current test line with the current control.  You can have two tests in which the test lines aren't the same darkness, but as long as the test line is as dark or darker than the control then it's positive.

Ashleigh828

I am just starting OPKs this cycle so I was wondering about some of the info that has been posted - thanks!! One question I have: when do you test with OPK? I read on FF not to use FMU and it's better to test in the afternoon, early evening. Is this correct? Also, how often should I be testing with OPKs? Once a day? Thanks for your help!