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!

Overwhelmed

Hello ladies! Hope you all had a wonderful day!

I'm just here to say my BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has been very supportive and inspiring me through this journey. Ever since I started this blog my friends and relatives, whom mostly I haven't talk to in years, has been contacting me via Facebook and sharing me their TTC experience and giving me tips on how to be successful in our baby-making journey. Today alone, I received five messages from different people and I'm just so amazed how my situation can bring people together. It's like having my own little support group.

I am so appreciative to all those who have shown their care and concern and willingly shared to me their personal stories. Once again, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I just couldn't end my day without expressing my gratitude. I am overwhelmed.

PS.

We are planning to change gynae if this cycle becomes unsuccessful *crossing fingers that it's not*. For those here in Singapore, please let me know if you have any good recommendations preferably here in the East area.

Ciao ladies!

Sweet dreams and baby dust to all!

TTC Cycle 2

Here we go again.

So I'm back with another TTC cycle post which means our  attempt last month was a failure (booo!). I had really high hopes for last month since it was our first month to try after the surgery but that didn't go well as expected. Anyway, I don't want to be a Debbie Downer here and go on and on with my frustrations so let me just fill you in with the details from my last 2 visits with my gynae.

I was scheduled to see her on the 8th of April for a check-up and so I went. I was directed to their Fetal Care Centre for an ultrasound scan. The day I went was the day before my expected AF to come. I did a pregnancy test 2 days before that {so much for being patient} and I got a negative result but I was still hopeful that I can be pregnant. She first did a typical scan on my abdomen and I thought that was it but then seconds after she took out THE thing again... the one that they insert down there. Even after going through that kind of scan for several times already, I still can't help but cringe. Definitely not the most comfortable feeling on earth.

So anyway,  after looking on the screen for a few minutes, the sonographer suddenly asked me if my period is coming soon and so I told her I am expecting it the next day. After that she asked me to wait outside. She must have seen something in there that made her ask that question so then I ditched the idea that I can be pregnant.

I waited half an hour again to see my gynae this time. She reviewed the scan result and said it was all good. I was somehow scared that the cyst may have come back but fortunately, everything's looking  fine. She then uttered "so why is it not happening?" and as much as I want to tell her "you tell me you're the doctor here!" I just kept silent and shrugged. So she gave me a rundown of the next steps that we will be doing to make it a success:

• First, she asked me to call for an appointment for a TOO (Time Of Ovulation) as soon as my AF comes. I have to be scanned on my cycle day 12 {which is today} to see the progress of my egg cells whether it's maturing or not. From there she will tell us when is right day to do our serious baby-making business. Lol!
• There might be a possibility that maybe I am not ovulating so she said if that is the case, she will prescribe me a medicine to help me ovulate. We will try this for 2-3 months and if still unsuccessful then we proceed to the next step...
• ...and that is IUI or Intrauterine Insemination Treatment which basically takes out the fun in baby-making.. haha! This is a process where in my hubby's sperm will be taken and then they will insert it into my uterus on the day of ovulation. Watch this for a better understanding :)

I am hoping that we don't need to do the IUI because first, it will be expensive {around $700+} and second, I want to get pregnant as naturally as possible with less "medical" or "science" intervention. But for the sake of having our own bundle of joy, we are willing to do everything.

Total bill for this visit:
Consulation Fee..........$80.25
Gynae Scan.................$90.95
Total..........................$171.20

********************************************************************************


So today I went back to hospital for my TOO. I honestly don't know what to expect and what procedure I will be undergoing but yeah, you guessed it right, I went through that uncomfortable scanning again. I laid down on that bed for like a minute or two while my gynae checked on my ovaries. She saw a follicle growing on my left ovary but she said it's not big enough and asked me to go back again on Thursday {but I can't make it so we rescheduled it on Wednesday instead} so she can see the progress of the follicle.

That was about it. And oh by the way, she told us to do the deed tomorrow and then after that, no more sex {poor hubby.. lol!} for the meantime. I'm really hopeful, like how I have been hopeful for the past year, that it will work this time. Cross your fingers and toes for us. Hehe :)

The bill for this visit was $90.95. We were only charged for the gynae scan (hallelujah!). We were in and out her office in like a snap so if she would have charged us with $80 again, I will be having second thoughts to come back.. lol!

So that's it ladies! Wish us luck this month. I'm really hoping and praying to get a positive result after this.

Baby dust to all!

*UPDATE ON TODAY'S VISIT 24/04/13*

Had another scan and my gynae said it is still not big enough. She said that it's best to do the deed again tomorrow, Saturday and Monday. That was it! Another $90.95 down the drain. It seems like I paid for someone to tell me when to have sex.. Lol!

Anyhoo, I'm just having breakfast now and then I'm off to work! Good luck to me!

Ciao!