On OPKs and Ovulation

Hello everyone!

Today I want to share with you my OPK (ovulation predictor kit) results from my cycle day 14 up to 18 (which is today).

Okay so before I continue, let me give you a brief explanation on what an OPK is. Basically it detects a surge of Luteinizing Hormone (or most commonly referred to as LH) that is present in your urine. So what does that mean if you have a surge? Well, an increase in LH actually triggers ovulation which is when the egg is released for the the sperm to fertilize it. This does not mean though that  when you get the a positive result, you are ovulating right at that instant. Ovulation occurs after 24-48 hours following a positive result therefore it is recommended to baby dance on the following days. This is the reason why it is recommended to do an OPK for atleast 5 consecutive days starting on your cycle day 10 so you could monitor the surge.

Now, this is not 100% guarantee. Based on what I've read here in the magical world of internet, some women would experience a surge in LH but still end up not ovulating. Hopefully that is not my case.

Anyhoo, after my last ultrasound check up (read all about it here), I decided to get me some OPKs. I've used it before but didn't really find it helpful since I didn't get preggers so I decided to stop it. These stuff are expensive, well atleast for me. But since I have been spending so much money on my ultrasounds, then why not get a better chance in getting pregnant by detecting when I ovulate. Luckily that day, Watsons was having a buy 1 get 1 free on their brand so I picked up these...

I was on my cycle day 14 then and I did my test around 5:45 in the afternoon. It is recommended to do the test around the same time for the next 5 days for a more accurate result. Try to prevent from drinking too much liquid as well 2 hours before you take the test as it can dilute the hormone in your urine. Below are the my OPKs for the past 5 days, I noticed that the color faded a little bit but it is still visible.

OPKs are different from pregnancy tests in terms of reading the result. If you would look at it like a PT, you would think that all these are positive results right? Wrong. OPKs are supposed to show two lines (showing only one line would mean the test is invalid) and the difference between a positive and a negative test is how dark the Test band (on the right) is compared to the Control band (on the left). 

This is one thing that I hate about these OPKs. It is so difficult to figure out if it is a positive or negative. Sometimes when you want something really bad, like a positive OPK for example, you will trick your mind into thinking that the Test band is indeed darker than the Control band therefore convincing yourself that it is a positive result. Raise your hand if you agree. LOL!

Looking at my OPKs above, the only day that I got a dark test band was on the 25th. It doesn't look as dark as it used to be when I first tested but you can compare it with the rest of the sticks and it's the only one that has a test band that is still really visible. So I then convinced myself that it was a positive but unfortunately though, we didn't BD that night because of a petty fight (nice timing right?) but we made sure we made up for it the next day and today! Hopefully my hubby's soldiers will be motile enough and fertilize my egg as I ovulate *crossing fingers*.

Now all I have to do is be patient (which I am totally not) as I enter my two week wait (2WW). Hopefully I can fight the urge to do a pregnancy test earlier than when I'm supposed to which I highly doubt.. lol! 

So there you have it ladies. I hope I enlightened you a little bit on how to use and read OPKs. If you have any comments on my OPK results please leave them down below. I would love to know your thoughts on this. Please keep us in your prayers that we may be able to finally complete our family.

Baby dust to all those trying as well!

Till my next update!

Ciao!

TTC Cycle 1

Hello there ladies!

Before I begin, let me inform you that this post (and probably the succeeding TTC Cycle posts as well) will be a little TMI :) I just want to share/write down all information as I can in case we do get successful this cycle, I (and whoever on TTC reading/following this blog) can always go back and see the facts which led to the success {crossing fingers}!

----

So it's been a month since I went under the knife or should I say a laparoscope, and I'm happy to inform all of you that I'm back to my normal routine. Actually, a week and a half after my surgery I already felt fine and back to my normal self. I can do things that I normally do without pain whatsoever and I really thank God  and my hubby for watching over me.

Anyhoo, we are on our first attempt to TTC (which means Trying To Conceive for those who are unfamiliar with the jargon) post-op so we are both excited. I was actually a little bit worried about any side effects of my surgery. I was thinking that it might affect my period and cause unusual pain. I was impatiently waiting for my period to come and when it finally did, I was ecstatic, despite my usual dysmenorrhea.

I had my "aunt flow" or AF as they would call it from March 12 up to the 16th which was within my usual 5-day cycle. I am technically on cycle day 12 today and if my ovulation calendar app I have on my phone is correct, I should be ovulating any time today. Now I know I wouldn't get pregnant if we didn't do THE deed (hehe) and so far we've done it twice {cycle day 8 and 10}. We definitely have to "baby dance" or BD later on tonight to make sure we have it covered. We try to do it every other instead of every day to make sure my DH has enough "reserves" (lol!)

Okay I know it's starting to sound like it's becoming a "job" for us but to be honest, with my shifting work schedule, we really have to plan it and then enjoy it while it's happening. There's nothing wrong with that IMHO. It's a matter of making it exciting and something to look forward to rather than a task that you both need to do. Of course it doesn't mean that we don't have those out-of-the-blue "booty call" but it doesn't hurt to have it planned when I am most fertile. It all comes down to having an open communication with your partner, do whatever works for you and don't get caught up within the "rules".

So that's it for this post. I will update you of the progress soon!

Thank you all for reading and baby dust to all TTC!