Do OPKs really work?

[Melody7]

Hi,

I'm just wondering about people's experience with Ovulation Prediction Kits (OPKs) and if they think they're a waste of time or if they really DO predict your ovulation.

We want to TTC #2 and I've just had my first cycle since pregnancy (bubs now 14mths). I've started using an OPK for the last few days (around the time I USED to ovulate), however, there's been no indication that I am - ON THE TEST at least. Maybe I'm not!

I have read that the first few cycles post baby can be a little unusual, so perhaps I need to expect my ovulation date to be different?

Any thoughts? Do you think they're helpful?

[Taurean]

Hi Melody!

I'm in the same boat. I've started using Ovuplan (pee in a cup!) tests this week and I'm hoping they'll give me all the right signs this weekend I started using them a couple of days earlier than what the brochure recommended on the off chance that I O early but no test line has appeared at all yet so I must still be preparing to ovulate - I hope!

Which OPK are you using? I have noticed that my contol line is quite light compared to the example in the brochure. Does anyone know if this is normal? Has anyone else used Ovuplan OPK's?

[Counting Days]

yes ones off ebay work and also lots cheaper I don't think color really matters just need control line and test line

should have 2 lines and test darker I think if no line then still getting ready

[Taurean]

Thanks CD. Hopefully I get the test line showing up in the next few days. Hopefuly I'm ovualting!!

I had a tiny bit of EWCM last month and a decent temp rise so it looks like I did ovulate but I'm not quite sure when as I started temping mid cycle - doh!

[visitor1]

I used them for this pregnancy...i never once got a +ve test line which i really needed for swaying....so i relied more on other signs...and swayed the right gender!

I used them for 14 days and nothing!

[Josam]

Hi Taurean

I find the result line gets darker closer to O date. I use Discover 7 day OPK.

[Melody7]

I'm using a pack from Lullaby Conceptions (their own brand I think). The instructions says it doesn't matter about the colour of the lines, as long as the test is darker than the control.

[alioops]

I used the LC ones this time, and if I got a positive OPK at night then I would get my temp rise on the second morning after the positive, and if I got the positive early arvo then the following morning i would get the temp rise. I was trying to pinpoint EXACTLY what time of day I O'ed for gender swaying.

I had a big box of the LC ones so I tested every day for a month and found that I O'ed later than I had always thought, so I used 15 before I even got a faint line and then the next day it was very dark so that was the positive.

[Melody7]

Alioops, could you give me a bit more info on gender swaying? I know the basic premise - closer to O = boy, but I'd love a bit more info...

[LucaJack'sMum]

I know strictly speaking that its not an OPK but we used the 'Maybe Baby' ... very successfully and it was great cos you can re-use it again and again and again.

[Counting Days]

also using maybe baby as well as opks but maybe baby does not seem to change

[alioops]

Melody - There are a couple of threads with info. This is the info thread, and This is the gender swaying buddies thread.

I also used a copy of How to Choose The Sex of Your Baby, by Dr Shettles which explained the best ways to use OPK's to pinpoint when O happens. To pinpoint accurately you need to be charting your BBT as well. Then when you notice a pattern you can take a month off every now and then.