Thread: Need Advice

Hi ladies! Sorry I haven't been around much lately. Been kinda down in a funk. Husband and I have now been trying to conceive for 10 months and (though I know it's not that long) I am getting so frustrated. We are both young so I just kinda thought it would happen. I know I shouldn't get upset but lately so many of my friends have been getting pregnant by means of an "oopsie" I just don't get how they can get pregnant by mistake when my DH and I have been actively trying for almost a year now. I'm so sorry to vent...Just feeling down.

Anyways....

What I needed advice about is; I wanted to start using OPKs and a basal thermometer. What brands do you recommend for the OPKS? How many do you get and what is the cost? And as far as the basal thermometer, can you use a regular thermometer or does it need to be a basal? Sorry for the long post and questions.

Thanks for reading!

Sorry you are feeling down. I know a lot of people will say 10 months isn't that long, but I agree, it felt like forever to me when I hit that point!

Anyway, I am sure you will get plenty of opinions regarding OPK's. I am using the Clearblue digital. I tried a generic brand and it was really unclear, so I just bought the digitals. They are expensive, but I bought 30 a while back for about 37$ and they are lasting me forever! I was tired of squinting at the other ones. With the digital, there is no question. A lot of people on here seem to use internet ones, but I've never tried them.

I would buy a basal thermometer. I think they are supposed to be more accurate when you are looking for a thermal shift, which can be very slight. I think the one I use is a generic from Walgreens, and I've had it so long I don't even remember when I bought it. It has lasted years and years and it didn't cost much.

I think temping/OPK's (especially temping) will help you feel better about TTC. It gives you the assurance that your timing is right.

Good luck!

I'm so sorry it is taking longer then you'd like. I understand we are on cycle #9 after a m/c last year. Keep your head up it'll happen. I have my months of being so mad but it doesn't help. I have had a lot of people around me that are having "oopsies" too. I understand that feeling. It just plain SUCKS.

Anyways...
I use ICs from Wondfo on Amazon and I always get a clear +. I pay around $15 for 100 I think?? The first time I went to the store (CVS) and got Answer for $20 for 20 strips that you have to use within 30 days. As for a thermometer yes you want a basal because it does to the hunderdths decimal not tenths. If you do start temping check out Fertility Friend for charting. I hope this helps.

Good luck!!!

I've been there myself.

I use the Dollar Tree OPKs when I do use them. If you're really wanting to use them a lot, I'd go with some internet cheapies.

Yes, you do want an actual basal body thermometer. I found mine at Walmart for less than $5. Try to find one that remembers your last temp. There were times when I charted with TTC DS that I forgot to write it down immediately and was grateful that it remembered the last one.

If you haven't I highly encourage you to read Taking Charge of Your Fertility! Love it!

I know what you mean exactly!


I use the wondo-whatevers from amazon too, and so far havent had a problem with them. I also bought the digitals once, but ti was 32 dollars for 7 tests so I used them all up on one cycle, and didnt even get preg, soooo bleh.

and I havent started temping yet so I wouldnt be much help, but I've seen them for like 6-7 dollars at target!

It looks like you've already got some great advice. If your cycles are really regular I think going with the more expensive Clearblue or other digital ones would be fine. For me they were always WAY too expensive. I used the Answer brand that has 20 tests for about $17. I never had any issues with them and they were great for me because my cycles have always been irregular and I would need more of them since I would use them more days. I've heard good things about the IC's too.

It took us 29 months to finally conceive DD. I was to the point where I was sure it was just never going to happen and I would never know what it felt like to be pregnant. I got to the point where it would make me really mad to even hear about an 'oops' pregnancy or especially those that were oops and they were mad about since they didn't want kids! I got really bitter at times. It's totally normal for feel that way, so don't be hard on yourself for it. You are completely entitled to your feelings.

Thanks everyone for replying! I think either the wondfo or answer opks would be good for me, being as I can be pretty irregular so the cheaper the better.

Thank you for the great advice and for allowing my to vent a bit.


Also, I tried signing up for fertility friend but it says I need a friends referral?

Originally Posted by Lily2006

Thanks everyone for replying! I think either the wondfo or answer opks would be good for me, being as I can be pretty irregular so the cheaper the better.

Thank you for the great advice and for allowing my to vent a bit.


Also, I tried signing up for fertility friend but it says I need a friends referral?

How strange! I didn't have to do that when I signed up. They have 2 different services, one is the basic free membership and the other is the paid for VIP membership. I'll be happy to send you a referral if you'll PM me your email address. It also says you should be able to get it if I give a link to my hompage, so here it is!
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ttc/ if that doesn't work, I can email you a referral.

Originally Posted by AnnaRO

How strange! I didn't have to do that when I signed up. They have 2 different services, one is the basic free membership and the other is the paid for VIP membership. I'll be happy to send you a referral if you'll PM me your email address. It also says you should be able to get it if I give a link to my hompage, so here it is!
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ttc/ if that doesn't work, I can email you a referral.

Thanks Anna! That did the trick

Wow! I've never seen that with FF before. Glad you got in! I've found it to be a terrific resource.

I know 10 months really is a long time, no matter what anybody else thinks. Coming up on the 1-year mark was really difficult for me. Hopefully your BFP is right around the corner now!

You've gotten great advice. I'll just add my 2 bits....I've used the cheapie OPKs and generally had good experiences with them. I also use a regular digital thermometer and it's worked for me. But I do usually get pretty clear temperature shifts. A real basal thermometer isn't that expensive, so it might be worth it to start off with that right from the beginning.