how do you all monitor ovulation? - Infertility Message Board

laura1 · 07-08-2003, 11:14 AM

Since January, I've gone to my RE to do u/s a few times each cycle to montitor my follies progress. He said I only had to use those OPT pee sticks to check a day or two before my anticipated HCG shot (to make sure I didn't miss the window).

Even when he said I was ovulating, the OPTs never displayed two completely solid lines. Once I even tested after my HCG shot, the morning of my IUI and the results were the same. My RE says either my pee was diluted or that the tests were faulty somehow. Bottom line, I've supposedly ovulated 4 of the last 5 cycles, had IUIs those four times and still no babies. DH's swimmers are at about 11 million so I know that's a moderate factor. But I wonder if I'm not ovulating even when the doctor says I am? (How paranoid am I?!!!)

Anyway, I'm just curious -- how do you all monitor yourselves? I hear you talk about Basal Body Temps and other methods, and I want to be more proactive here. What helps you stay in control of your cycles? And forgive me for my ignorance, but how does the whole BBT thing work?

Thanks!
L

MaryAnn1970 · 07-08-2003, 11:25 AM

I recommend you buy a clear plan fertility monitor. I swear by it. You can by them cheap on E-Bay. I use the monitor and basal temp as well. The pee sticks are sort of difficult to read.

Good luck! I do basal usually after a + OPK so I am confirmed of ovulation. Anything above 98 means you've O'd. Baby dust to you!!

07-08-2003, 11:32 AM

Laura,
I have the same question like yours. I ovulate by my own. During my last 3 IUI cycles my RE check my ovulation by u/s, I even used the pee sticks just before the IUIs, I sure did got 2 very dark lines. Also from the blood draw for progesterone level, it showed that I ovulated. My DH's sperms are excellent. But I still not pregnant. My RE once said, for some women, even they ovulate but the eggs are never been released. And we can not know if that is the case. That's just what I just learned from my RE.

Lynn

Mindoo · 07-08-2003, 11:34 AM

BBT is the most basic and cheapest way. It's also the most unreliable -- espcially if you have PCOS or if your are irregular. When your temp spikes, you supposedly ovulated two days before that. It's useful information for the next month if you are consistent when you ovulate. I've had two infertility doctors, and both of them told me not to waste my time with this method.

ODKs work more reliably - but not for everyone. There are many women on this board who haven't got it to work. I think someone posted that the manufacturer said they do not work with fertility meds. I find them hard to read. However, they did work for me when I started ignoring the docs advice. My 1st doc told me to test between days 12-16. I finally figured out I O on day 17 or 18. That explains why mine didn't work initially. Some people have short LH surges. They last less than 10 hours. IF this is the case, and you only test once a day, you could miss it. Also, if you have PCOS and your LH is unusally high, the test might be wrong. One of my docs had me do this, and the current one told me not to waste my money. They check with u/s only.

The most reliable way to tell is u/s or progesterone testing through your doctor. Since you have been doing this, you are on the right track.

You could be Oing and still not get pg. I'm on my 9th simulated cycle, and third IUI. I respond well to clomid, but I can't conceive. It could be lining problems, it could be sperm problems, it could be unknown problems. If the sperm is formed wrong, it's harder to conceive. We haven't had the advanced testing yet to check the sperm's genetic properties.

If your doc thinks your Oing, you probably are.

Good Luck,
Mindy

[This message has been edited by Mindoo (edited 07-08-2003).]

MaLaFo · 07-08-2003, 11:36 AM

WHAT???? aint no 1 offering a finger dipppin story?