Opk advice or reassurance

[Ohdeer]

This might be a stupid question but I’m using the clear blue advance digital OPKs. If I get a static in the morning do you think it’s too much of a risk to do one attempt (because I’d have to wait until the evening to dtd). I want to do one attempt but now I’ve got a flashing smiley and am thinking what if I wait for static and miss my opportunity? I’m hoping I’ve misundrrstood how the OPKs work which is more than likely!

[Throwaway_panther]

If I'm understanding your question right, I think this is tricky for any of us to answer without knowing your cycle better! A static doesn't mean instant ovulation, remember -- women can ovulate anywhere from 12 to even 72 hours after (I think 24-48 is considered the norm). Do you know how short/long your surge is from previous cycles?

[Ohdeer]

Thanks for your reply! No I don’t know, if I’m honest I find it all very confusing! I’ve used the tests the last two cycles (mine can be quite long). The first cycle I had one day of flashing smiley and then a static next morning. The second cycle was a totally weird one and I had a flashing smiley that went back to a negative before my positive (static face)

Also, would testing three times a day put me in crazy territory? Just don’t want to miss this surge

[Throwaway_panther]

Thanks for your reply! No I don’t know, if I’m honest I find it all very confusing! I’ve used the tests the last two cycles (mine can be quite long). The first cycle I had one day of flashing smiley and then a static next morning. The second cycle was a totally weird one and I had a flashing smiley that went back to a negative before my positive (static face)

Also, would testing three times a day put me in crazy territory? Just don’t want to miss this surge

I don't think there's any crazy in TTC territory :P I've tested up to 3 times before with the cheapies then also verified with a CBD! I think since you're figuring out your cycles, if you have cheap ones 3x a day is fine. With a clearblue, maybe stick to 1-2 since they're do pricey and are less ambiguous!

And OPKs ARE so confusing! I was so confused when I first started monitoring ovulation, so you're not alone!

[atomic sagebrush]

??????

Why would it be a risk? I am not understanding the danger here?

Everyone just BD the day they get their first positive OPK (static smiley). Do NOT BD on the Flashy unless you're trying for a cutoff. You can have days of flashies before it goes solid, and after the solid you will have 24-36 hours or even longer before ovulation occurs.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks for your reply! No I don’t know, if I’m honest I find it all very confusing! I’ve used the tests the last two cycles (mine can be quite long). The first cycle I had one day of flashing smiley and then a static next morning. The second cycle was a totally weird one and I had a flashing smiley that went back to a negative before my positive (static face)

Also, would testing three times a day put me in crazy territory? Just don’t want to miss this surge

It just isn't very helpful. Test after lunch till you get flashy, then you can test after lunch and before dinner (or after dinner if you eat early, like 5ish) and that is more than enough

[ABC.2606]

I have 3-5 days of flashing smileys before the solid and we normally BD in the evening of the solid smiley day. We've gotten pregnant twice with that :)

I'd wait until the solid smiley!

[Ohdeer]

Oh I thought I might only have 12 hours. That makes everything different

[atomic sagebrush]

Oh I thought I might only have 12 hours. That makes everything different

While possible, that's less common and I think 9 out of 10 times is caused by "pilot error" with people not testing regularly or using diluted urine or at the wrong time of day

[Rose2018]

It seems like with these ones (Clearblue) we are supposed to use First Morning Urine. Is that correct? Because the cheapo Wondfo ones say not to use FMU. So confused...

[atomic sagebrush]

Follow the directions on the package of the OPK. Yes, the Clearblues say to use FMU but most brands are meant to be used after lunch since that's when the hormone reaches a peak in your urine. many people seem to get best results after lunch even with the Clearblues - but since the Clearblues are detecting changes in your hormones and not only LH alone they are supposed to be able to be used with FMU instead. :)