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Using CBFM & CBOPK, "fertile" days not matching up...

lbugherlbugher
in LGBT Parenting

Hello, friends.  Not sure if others have experienced this issue, but I wanted to write it out because it's confusing me and I wonder if anyone else has an answer and/or experiences to share regarding this:

I've been testing every day with a Clear Blue Fertility Monitor and Clear Blue Ovulation Predictor sticks.  I dutifully pee in a cup, dip my sticks, and read the results at the same time every morning. 

On CDs 15 and 16, I got a happy face on the OPKs and a high reading on the monitor. On CD 17, no happy face and a high reading.  Then on CDs 18 and 19, no happy face but "peak" reading on my monitor.

Basically that means my OPK thought I had highest fertility on days 16 and 17 (ovulation on 18) but my monitor thinks I ahd highest fertility on 18 and 19 and ovulate tomorrow.  WHICH IS IT???

I wouldn't really care if I was going about this the inexpensive way.  You know, posting an ad on Craigslist, asking for a no-strings-attached one night stand, providing a defective condom, tarting myself up with a skanky dress and caked on make-up... I like to imagine I'd lean in real close and whisper "I'm only using you for your gametes."  Then the fresh sperm would live for several days and likely make it to one of the eggs if I performed this seedy act when the OPK told me I peaked, even if I didn't peak until a day or 2 later in reality.

But of course I'm going about this in the legit and legal way, which is extremely expensive, and using frozen sperm which are not nearly as long-lasting as fresh sperm.  So the timing has to be exact. And this monitoring is not giving me an EXACT time for ovulation and it's driving me nuts.

I just want to know when that little egg is going to pop out of my ovary! Why is this so hard to figure out?? Angry

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Re: Using CBFM & CBOPK, "fertile" days not matching up...

  • KH826KH826 member

    I had similar issues with timing, and that is why I moved to monitored cycles, and eventually the trigger shot (even though I ovulate on my own).

    With monitored cycles, they do an u/s (and sometimes blood work) and can tell you exactly what is going on in terms of gearing up for ovulation. Also, with the trigger shot, if you trigger before you ovulate on your own, then you are able to time things pretty precisely. You will ovulate 24-40 hrs post trigger shot, so the IUI is usually timed for 30-36 hours after you have the shot.

    There are certainly many women that are able to get pregnant on a natural unmonitored cycle, but it just didn't seem like I was going to be one of them... and honestly, I wasn't patient enough to endure 3 BFNs before moving onto monitoring...

    Anyway, if you feel like you are not getting an accurate read from the OPKs, then your doctor is likely to recommend monitoring your cycle with u/s and/or blood work to figure out exactly what is going on and when.

    It might be worth it to consider to give yourself peace of mind. Just a suggestion...

    Good luck & keep us posted! :)

    Me - 30, My wife - 31 , Together for 10 yrs - Married August 2012

    5 medicated IUIs w/ RE (March - July 2013) = BFN

    Fresh IVF Cycle in September 2013 resulted in 18 mature eggs, 16 fertilized, 12 made it to day 5. Transfer of 2 Grade A blastocysts on 9/15/13, and 10 embryos in the freezer!      *****BFP on 9/25/13 - betas: @10dp5dt = 232; @12dp5dt = 465; @15dp5dt = 1,581   *********William George born June 4, 2014*********
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  • MaryanneNMaryanneN member

    I too have had only monitored cycles. I am lucky enough that Insurance covers it. I know that since we have started the process I have been able to feel when I ovulate. It feels like gas pains, consentrated to one side, but I also think I am able to feel them because I know it is coming. I am sorry I can't give you anymore advise, but I wish you the best of luck, and I hear ya with the expense of DS.

    33 Years Old

    Married 7/7/10 - Provincetown MA on the beach -

    Reception October 23, 2010 - Martha Clara Vinyards, North Fork Long Island

    5/12/13 - 5/13/13 IUI #1 - BFN
    6/14/13 - IUI #2 - BFN - 7/17/13 - IUI#3 - BFN Clomid cycle 100mg 08/13 - cancelled bc produced too many eggs. Clomid cycle 50mg 10/13 - IUI#4- BFN. Clomid. Switched Dr in November. IUI#5 11/20 and 11/21 with trigger and clomid. -TWW {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252 {\fonttbl\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Helvetica;} {\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;\red51\green51\blue51;\red255\green255\blue255;} \deftab720 \pard\pardeftab720\sl280\partightenfactor0 \f0\fs22 \cf2 \cb3 \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0 \outl0\strokewidth0 \strokec2 Trying to Conceive Ticker}
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  • KH826KH826 member
    My insurance doesn't cover monitoring (or anything fertility-related), so I pay $266 out of pocket for every ultrasound. I try to only have one per cycle - usually on CD12.

    Me - 30, My wife - 31 , Together for 10 yrs - Married August 2012

    5 medicated IUIs w/ RE (March - July 2013) = BFN

    Fresh IVF Cycle in September 2013 resulted in 18 mature eggs, 16 fertilized, 12 made it to day 5. Transfer of 2 Grade A blastocysts on 9/15/13, and 10 embryos in the freezer!      *****BFP on 9/25/13 - betas: @10dp5dt = 232; @12dp5dt = 465; @15dp5dt = 1,581   *********William George born June 4, 2014*********
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  • lbugherlbugher

    Thank you, ladies :) I must be irregular or something... I know I ovulate.  I get wicked symptoms about 10 days before my period (heavy, painful breasts, crotchety mood swings, excessive and insatiable hunger...)  I just don't know WHEN I ovulate.  I called my doctor and told the nurse about this.  She'll give me a call back when she talks to my doctor.  I'm hoping he'll let me take hormones to kick-start my egg-laying and I'll be able to get started with IUI soon!

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