How long do you show ferns for?

[*Efjay*]

Hi all,

Ok I have been using the microscope at work and I calculated I would be ovulatingon the 9/9 and there were ferns on the slide then. Now a week on there still is (on a fresh sample of course) is that normal? How long does it continue to fern for??

[*TamaraP*]

OK, basically when I started using my microscope I had partial ferns up til I got a full fern and now I have nothing.
I still use it everyday, as it states.

"Even though you think you know your ovulation pattern, you have to assume that when it gives you a full fern you are about to ovulate" Well thats what I was told anyways.

So in other words, you can still get full ferns or even partial ferns after ovulation.

Are you temping?

[ChrissyT]

Basically ferns only tell you when you are fertile...Maybe baby does not predict Ovulation. The best way to pinpoint when you O is to temp.

You are fertile from 4 days before O to 2 days after according to MB's fact sheet.

I usually have partial ferns and full ferns for about 3-5 days.

[*Efjay*]

No I'm not temping, I really don't want to get to full on with charting my cycle. IMO thats when things start to go wrong... anyway. I did another saliva slide this morning and will have a look at it tomorrow if I get a chance to go up to work. I use the microscope there.

I think what I might do is BD as much as I can (or want) from when AF finishes and then stop a day or so after the ferns start to show up. I just want a girl....

[*Belle*]

FionaJill

MaybeBaby also measures other hormones not just LH surge hence why you would get ferning for a while.

Temping without MaybeBaby is actually more accurate according to my specialist who told me to stop using MaybeBaby as it never gave me an accurate reading... I did become pregnant by just temping (however miscarried)... OPKs are recommended to use also as they just measure LH Surge, however I never get a positive OPK. Hope that helps.

Bel

[ness]

I have had ferns ranging from 5 days in a row to about 10 days.
Sometimes the ferns are there one day and gone the next. Sometimes I think one of the little ferny things must have slipped down the side so I try and clean it really really really well to be certain they can't hide as I don't get why they can be there one day and they go and then they come back again. Hmmm
Hope all goes well for you

[*Efjay*]

I'm not using maybe baby or anything like that, I just spit on a slide and look at it under the microscope at work.

The main reason I don't think temping would work for me is I would always forget to do it. Don't you have to do it when you first wake up? I first wake up to DS so I am up and about before my eyes are open basically.

Thanks for the information though. Its all useful