Ovulation Predictor Tests 101

(This pic above is one of my own tests)

I received some pics from a Making Babies member (also a good friend) of her Ovulation Predictor kits(OPK), and thought I would share them with you as well, and also do a quick recap on how OPKs work.

Unlike Home Pregnancy Tests(HPT) a second line is not always a positive result. When taking an OPK, you want the test line to be as dark (or darker) than the control line. That would indicate the positive result, which means the test is picking up the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge that is produced just before ovulation.

Once you have gotten your positive result, you are supposed to ovulate within 12-36 hours. I noticed with my positive results, I would ovulate 2 days later. So it's not uncommon to go as long as 48hours after the positive.

A few rules to remember when OPKing:

1) It's best to test late afternoon/early evening. I used to get my best results at 3pm. However, some ladies get better results at 6pm. It all depends on how your body produces LH.

2) Try to limit your fluid intake for at least 2 hours before testing. This includes holding your P for those 2 hours prior.

3) If you are using a Making Babies OPK, remember the test needs 10 minutes to react after the urine has passed over the control line. DO NOT discard the test after a few minutes. WAIT the whole 10 minutes for an accurate result.

4) If you are taking Clomid/Fertomid only start using OPKs about 2 days after your last pill.

If you would like more info on OPKs, visit this LINK on Making Babies.

Now for N's OPKs:





Unfortunately these pics were taken when the tests had already dried... :) But you can still get the general idea of how OPKs work.

The top pic is the positive on CD19, it was by far the darkest line N got. A true positive. She did test on CD20 again, and it was a negative.

The bottom tests, are the few she took leading up to CD19. You can see she had a nice build up of lines.

This however isn't always the case, you can have no build up of lines. You can have negative/white test results and then bam a positive the next day:



OPKs can be quite expensive if bought in store or at a Pharmacy. I think I last priced them at R 150.00 - R200.00 for 5 tests. Depending on what brand you buy. At Making Babies you can buy 10 Tests for R 100.00 :) You see that is a great saving, you now have more money to buy HPTs. LOL :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Could I ask that you all pop over to McKMama's blog and keep Stellan in your thoughts and prayers. :)

Fun Polls

Hello my favourite readers ;-)

We are running a poll on Making Babies to find out the most popular way of tracking ovulation. Please take part by clicking on the following link:

How do you track your ovulation?

We will be running weekly polls on varies subject matter every Wednesday. Be sure to check back with us frequently to vote and view the results.

Plenty of fertile thoughts going out to everyone!

If you are not part of the Making Babies Community, click HERE to join. It's that easy!

Marcelle

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ps: Don't forget if you are looking for affordable Home Pregnancy and Ovulation Tests, Making Babies is where you will find it! Visit our website for pricing and to order

A happy BFP!!!

Just look at those gorgeous lines hey! Another happy Making Babies client with a beautiful BFP!!!

Check out our HPTs over at Making Babies!!

Congratulations C, I know this was a very long road for you! I'm so happy for you and your family!!!! And excited for the new Aunty ;-)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I was wondering, if you got lines that dark would you go for bloods to confirm? I know bloods are the final stamp "YES" or "NO". But I think if I were the recipient of those tests above I would give the bloods a skip. :)

Your opinion? (you know it's always welcomed)

Fake it

Now where was this test when I was TTC? Could have done with a few POSITIVES in my journey, albeit fake ones LOL Could have been a real "pick me upper".... NOT... When I saw this on the WWW I wondered how many of these tests were bought for (what it was meant for) jokes, to fool someone into thinking the tester was indeed pregnant.




I thought this bill board was quite funny. "Don't shoot the messenger." In other words, don't fling that negative test across the room, or rip it too pieces after you have given it the stare of death. I know I've often felt in the past like setting them on fire and watching it die a slow painful death. Darn pee stick!

And on the topic of HPTs, (come on you knew I was going to do a shameless plug, again) Don't forget Making Babies stock awesome sensitive HPTs at very affordable prices. Check it out!

Don't forget:

1)All purchases for the month of October, your name will automatically go into the lucky draw for the Revitalizer Hamper Make sure you also stand a chance to win, by simply commenting on the blog post either here on this blog post or on the Making Babies Network!

2)Our special on the Conceive Plus (and OPK/HPT) we are having this week! I might even extend it to next week, to tie up with the hamper give away.

I came across this on my FAVOURITE forum MOMMY this morning, but have received it via email too in the past.. Just thought I would share it with you all.

FOR ALL MOMS (PRESENT, PAST OR POSSIBLY FUTURE)
AND MOMS AT HEART (FATHERS)

We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually
mentions that she and her husband are thinking of
"starting a family."

"We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do
you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping
my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more
sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous
vacations...."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my
daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want
her to know what she will never learn in childbirth
classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds
of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a
mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw
that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again
read a newspaper without asking "What if that had
been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house
fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of
starving children, she will wonder if anything could
be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish
suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she
is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the
primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.

That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop
a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's
hesitation.

I feel I should warn her that no matter how many
years she has invested in her career, she will be
professionally derailed by motherhood.

She might arrange for childcare, but one day she
will be going into an important business meeting and
she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will
have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep
from running home, just to make sure her baby is all
right.

I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions
will no longer be routine. That a five year old
boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the
women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma.
That right there, in the midst of clattering trays
and screaming children, issues of independence and
gender identity will be weighed against the prospect
that a child molester may be lurking in that
restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will
second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure
her that eventually she will shed the pounds of
pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about
herself. That her life, now so important, will be of
less value to her once she has a child. That she
would give it up in a moment to save her offspring,
but will also begin to hope for more years -- not to
accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child
accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny
stretch marks will become badges of honor. My
daughter's relationship with her husband will
change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she
could understand how much more you can love a man
who is careful to powder the baby or who never
hesitates to play with his child. I think she should
know that she will fall in love with him again for
reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will
feel with women throughout history who have tried to
stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

I hope she will understand why I can think
rationally about most issues, but become temporarily
insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to
my children's future.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration
of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to
capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is
touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the
first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so
real, it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that
tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret
it," I finally say. Then I reach across the table,
squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer
for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal
women who stumble their way into this most wonderful
of callings. This blessed gift from God . . . that
of being a Mother.

Please share this with a Mom that you know or a
future Mom, or a Mom at heart.

Our first Conceive Plus BFP!!!

I would like to CONGRATULATE a Making Babies Member (will keep her name under wraps until she herself announces her BFP, but she did say I could tell you about the conceive plus).....

The only thing we added was the Conceive Plus and I really think that this is what has helped me to get pregnant as DH does not have the best of swimmers and has not used anything for it as he does not like to drink any tabs.

So Marcelle, thanks for a GREAT product will recommend it to anyone.

I'm so excited for you girl. And I'm so glad you loved the Conceive Plus!!


In celebration of your BFP, Making Babies is going to give 10% discount on any Conceive Plus orders this week! You can also order a Conceive Plus Lubricant with either a 10 Pack HPT or OPK for R 300.00 (that is a total saving of R40.00)

** prices exclude shipping **

If you would like to order please pop me an email at marcellem@makingbabies.co.za with your details.

Why wait till you're late?

Affordable Home Pregnancy and Ovulation Tests available from Making Babies.

Our pregnancy tests are super sensitive picking up hCG levels of 10miu/ml. We have a record of ladies getting their BFPs as early as 11dpo (won't brag too much about one we got at 9dpo Wink ) But the average is 11dpo with FMU.

Our ovulation tests, as my client said - Marcelle, these OPKs rock! I've used a couple of other brands in the past, but none of them were so clear!

Visit Making Babies or pop me an email at marcellem@makingbabies.co.za to place your order.

HPT and OPK

10 Pack ~ R 100.00
5 Pack ~ R 55.00

Prices exclude shipping costs

:)

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is to create awareness and support for those families who have gone through the heartache of losing their babies.

I have been down this road with many of my dear friends, we have cried together and held each one up when it was getting too dark to go on.

I would like to take a moment to remember all your precious babies……

Infertility Grief

Grief is a somewhat complicated and misunderstood emotion. Yet, grief is something that, unfortunately, we must all experience at some time or other. We will all inevitably experience loss. Whether it is a loss through death, divorce or some other loss, the stages of grieving are the same.

Grieving the loss of a dream, that child/baby you so badly want to have and hold can be heart breaking. Most couples TTC, go through this loss every month. Some only start going through the loss when they have been diagnosed as infertile....

There are 5 stages of grief:

1-Denial-"this can't be happening to me"

2-Anger-"why me?"

3-Bargaining - Begging, wishing, praying

4-Depression-overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, self pity

5-Acceptance-there is a difference between resignation and acceptance

Sometimes you mix up the order of the stages. I know I had to immediately jump into acceptance when I decided to end my relationship with my DH. The bargaining was always there. I know I have been through each stage at some point during my TTC journey.

The depression I think will always be there, under lying. I had to deal with failed cycles month after month for over 3 years. I don't think it will go away totally. Then all of the sudden I was closing the door on it. Never really dealing with it, jumping straight to stage 5.

As of recent I've been dealing with it all over again. Only this time I'm having to grieve two losses at the same time, that of a relationship and of another child. Some days it's hard to define which one I'm grieving. I think it's taking quite a toll on my sanity at the moment.

I don't want to go google and give you steps on how to deal with it. Anyone with personal experience that would like to share???

New PregAssist :)

I'm super excited to introduce to you the latest additions to our Fertility Supplement range....

PregAssist Woman



Pregassist for females capsules have been specially formulated to provide beneficial nutrients and plant extracts to help assist, stimulate and improve metabolism in order to help improve and enhance fertility in women.

PregAssist Man



Pregassist for males capsules contain a specially formulated blend of vitamins, minerals and ashwaganda extract that helps promote and improve male fertility.

We are having a special "pre-launch" offer to all the Making Babies Members. Be sure to check out the blog section on MB Network for more info.... :)

2nd, 3rd etc..... future mommies to be

To those of you who are TTC your 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc etc babies. I have a few questions….

How long did you TTC with your first (previous) kiddies?

It took us 10 months TTC McK. I left my BCP the day I got married Almost 10 months to the day I got my first ever BFP.

Your first TTC attempts, were you just going with the flow or actually into the whole charting/temping/POAS thing?

I didn’t even know about BBT back then. Hell, I wasn’t even checking my CM. LOL. Odd I know. But back then I was a “TTC Virgin”.

If it wasn’t for the internet would you still be a crazed TTC addict (and I mean that in the nicest way)?

The internet ruined my naïve approach to life you could say. But also taught me valuable information and compassion to TTC and infertility. I don’t think I would have been so obsessed about TTC if I wasn’t a Google freak.

How long have you been TTC your 2nd, 3rd etc etc?

We were just over our 3 year TTC our 2nd when we surrendered for obvious reasons.

Did you think it would take longer or shorter than your first TTC attempt?

Of course, I really thought 10 months was for ever!! I tripled that and more, very disappointing as I really thought hey we have one what could be so hard the next time round.

When you started off TTC your next baby, did you have a gender preference this time around?

I was so excited, I just wanted a boy!! For the first year, it was boy boy boy… from then I just didn’t care, I just wanted a baby.

Go on, leave me a comment with your answers! (Or add any questions you would like to "read" about)....

Advertising Campaign

It really does feel like I'm turning the Making Babies blog into an advertising campaign.... :( There are as of late more Product related posts than TTC info rich posts.

I'm now not sure whether to close it down and solely concentrate on the Making Babies Network. Which BTW is picking up beautifully. So if you aren't a part of it yet, JOIN UP!! We have a great group of people on there and so much support! You won't be sorry :)

So for the time being, if you are looking for TTC info and support please register on Making Babies and jump right in. (Until I decide what to do with this blog.....)

All my personal info is now on my private blog, which you need to be invited to. So pop me an email (with how I know you) and I'll sign you up there. :)

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER: Revitalizer Hamper by leaving your comment. Also get another 2x entries by placing your order for any of our fertility products for the month of October. :)

Quirks....

Come on share your TTC quirks.....

When I was TTC, I used to read my star sign and let it predict whether I was going to "be lucky" that month. I could turn any star sign reading into something TTC related.

Also I used to keep all my Pee Sticks from one cycle, including OPKs and line them all up to make sure there really weren't any lines on the HPTs when comparing them to the OPKs....

So do you have a TTC quirk?