CD11 & CD12 - do I sense O coming?

Yippie! I got my first visible ovulation test yesterday at CD11. The test line was still a little lighter than the control line and took a while to show up. I did another OPK test today and the line is slightly darker than the one yesterday but its still lighter than the control line. When I tested morning of CD11, it was negative..so I am not quite sure if this means I will ovulate today or tomorrow but by looking at my charts, I would say tomorrow since my temperature is still quite low.

CD11 - evening

CD12 - arvo

So whats an OPK?

All an OPK does is measure the LH surge that occurs just before ovulation. Once it has occurred then that means you have just ovulated (in which case you already too late) or you may be just about to ovulate. That is why I have been testing with an OPK since CD7 just to make sure. 

The LH surge only happens once and only as it is about to release the egg. From that point on all you are reading is what is left in your body. Ovulation usually happens within 12-36 hours after the OPK first turns positive. 

Testing on OPKs are usually not enough as it doesn’t really tell you when you are ovulating. That is why most women who are TTCing also monitor their BBT to determine if their temperature rises as a result of having ovulated. Some of us also monitor our CM to make sure. Many times those who just OPK are missing timing sex since they need to have sex two days before and the day of ovulation. This is especially true if you only test once every 24 hours and that’s why you may want to test twice a day. You should not wait making love only when the OPK turns positive but make love regularly 2-3 times a week every week. That way you can make sure you will not miss the important fertile days.

OPKs are not like HPTs. An OPK has a control line and a test line, just like an HPT. Unlike HPT, if a test line is present, that does not mean the test is positive. The test line must be as dark as, or darker than the control line to be a positive result (remember a lighter line may just be picking up the LH that you have in your system no matter what day of the month it is).

If the test line looks almost the same as the control line, try testing again later that same day to make sure you catch the surge.

Since ovulation usually happens 12-36 hours after the surge. If you don’t see other signs of ovulation (CM dries up, BBT rises) within the next day of your first positive OPK, take another OPK to check for a positive result.

I usually notice some discharge immediately after sex. The fluid coming out from the vagina after his orgasm is a portion of the ejaculate. But get this..less than 5% of the ejaculate is actually sperm – over 95% is made up of other fluids. In fact, its totally normal for some of the ejaculate to come out of the vagina after intercourse. Apparently enough sperm will reach the cervical mucus especially if you stay on your back for the suggested 15-20 mins after intercourse, hips slightly elevated. 

Baby dust to all!