When to test CM?

[Sassy]

Sorry if this has been done, I'm starting to get a bit anxious! I've been on my supps for 2 weeks ready for our attempt in 7-8 wks. This has included Wild Yam & Vitex which has helped with some severe hormonal imbalances, PMS etc associated with Endo. I'm now not getting the severe O pains so I'm unsure if I'm going to O tomorrow as expected. I don't have any OPK's at the moment. I'm temping but won't really see a shift until after I O.

So I'm wondering when I should test my CM for Ph levels. Its not necessary for an attempt this month but I'd like a baseline to compare for the next couple of months. I tested this evening and got a Ph of 4.0. Would this be right if I am about to O? Would/should it be higher? Or have my supps/diet been working already???

Any advice would be appreciated!

Sass.

[TTC5]

I'm not sure if it is done differently to us boy swayers, but we check just before ovulation to get the most accurate reading :)

[Sassy]

Thanks TTC5! I'd imagine it'd be the same philosophy in testing CM for swaying either way. So would you say that I've either got a good Ph reading or that maybe I'm not quite ready to O?

[zanacal]

Hi Sassy - my first month on Vitex O was delayed by 5 days so perhaps you're not about to O. CM should be around 4.5 at non fertile times of the month so it's not worth testing at any time other than when you have EWCM. Do you think you have any?

[Sassy]

Thanks Zanacal - Today I've gotten some EWCM but only a small amount. I had a 'heavy' feeling last night and tonight in my tummy so I think that I'm a chance to O tonight or tomorrow. My entire CM seems to have minimalised at worst and virtually disappeared at best! I had a slight temp rise this morning so tomorrow's temp should be more of an indicator. I might send hubby out to get some OPK's. Would they still show + if I'm Oing now? I think I'll test my Ph again tonight too....last testing strip though! I'll let you know how I go.

[atomic sagebrush]

http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?2065-How-to-check-pH-for-DH-and-DW

pH of 4 means it's ~probably~ unlikely you're about to O. Usually, CM pH at O is at least slightly higher if not much higher. Don't be surprised or disappointed if it goes up.

If your CM pH is 4 at ovulation, that's quite spectacular and you shouldn't do anything any differently. In fact, I wouldn't use any jellies or antihistamines at all because you're already in a girl-friendly place. I probably wouldn't even have my husband abstain or do frequent release with that low a pH.

[Sassy]

Thanks Atomic! I ran out of Ph testing strips but the last reading I got was 4.0 again. BUT - I actually think I might be Oing TODAY.....and now I can't test my Ph!!!!! I have at least one more cycle before our attempt so I can still get a comparative read. So let me clarify....do the lovely ladies here continually test their PH in the days before and after O to help pinpoint the shift or only when you have +OPK? I'll try to get some more strips but if I can't the only other ones I can get from my pharmacy are very $$$$$ so I don't want to waste them if I don't need to.

[zanacal]

I'm not testing my pH at all and will just trust that the concoction of other things I'll do in my attempt month - Rephresh, Acijel, baby aspirin & antihistimines - will do the best possible job of reducing EWCM and reducing the pH of what's left. You don't have to test your pH at all either but if you want to then you need to do it when you have some EWCM as that's what will be hanging around at your fertile time when you hope to get pregnant. Personally, I get EWCM for 3 or 4 days before my first +OPK.

[atomic sagebrush]

I would only test when I had EWCM!

[Sassy]

So guess what....it seems the EWCM I had on the 15th (CD 14) was indeed indicative of O! FF has deemed the 16th (CD15) O day which means it will have been delayed by 1 day. So I tested my Ph on 14th (4.0) and 15th (4.0) and O'd the following day. So would my Ph have risen on either of these days or only on O day? 'Cos I'm thinking my Ph is being particularly cooperative!!!!!!

[zanacal]

It certainly sounds like it - so long as you were testing fertile EWCM which you surely were, then that's pretty amazing!

[atomic sagebrush]

So guess what....it seems the EWCM I had on the 15th (CD 14) was indeed indicative of O! FF has deemed the 16th (CD15) O day which means it will have been delayed by 1 day. So I tested my Ph on 14th (4.0) and 15th (4.0) and O'd the following day. So would my Ph have risen on either of these days or only on O day? 'Cos I'm thinking my Ph is being particularly cooperative!!!!!!

It could go up on ANY or all of these days. Good work on the low pH!

[Sassy]

Well I am heartened that my body seems to have been cooperating! But I know the next one I may not be as lucky! Will keep testing my Ph and see what comes up. THanks!