[einstein]

I've used OPKs before, but I've never used one of these. I think that the saliva ones are more accurate. How do you use them? Can you buy them at a typical drugstore? How much are they??

[cheesepuff]

Hey Girlie!

I bought one last night, at CVS and I got it 75% off, because the lens had come unglued, I paid $4.99 for it, it is usually $20.00. It is from IGIA. The had an Ovulite one for $35.99. But when you think about it. How much are OPKs $12.00 - $15.00 and you can only use it for seven days? The saliva testers can be used over and over, so what a deal! Anyway, they are very easy to use, you just get it out when you first get up, before eating, drinking, smoking, etc, and you put a little drop of saliva on it, then you look into the microscope, and turn on the light, and if you see crystalization, then you are either about to O or you are O'ing. They give you a little chart to help you tell what you are looking at. I am trying it out before I try the OPKs. I used it this morning, and no crystals. But there is always tomorrow.

Good Luck TTC!

Baby Dust to you!

[einstein]

Hey Chelsea,

Thanks for the info. I had no idea how these worked. That sounds pretty easy -- and hey, you got a huge bargain on yours. I may have to get one. I'm never really sure when I'm o'ing until I finally am! I hope yours brings you lots of +++++++ HPTs real soon!

[cheesepuff]

Thanks I hope the same for you. One thing I have noticed in the couple of days I have been using it. My results don't look anything like the ones on the box. I don't see any "ferns", but I do see a crystalization today, which I didn't see yesterday. I'm going to BD tonight anyway just incase. Let me know if ou get one and how it works for you.


GOOD LUCK w your ++ HPT!!

[nnclyn]

Just a quick tip.....

When looking for your ferning (crystalizing), look on the outer edges of the test slide first. Much like frost would form on a windowpane..from the edges inward, that is how ferning begins to develop on the slide

[Lasha B]

I have been using one for six months now, and it was pretty accurate until this month. I had a baby two years ago, so I know I can get pregnant, but this month, I had nothing during my period, then some ferns approaching ovulation (like the diagrams), then at ovulation -which happened on day 9, a bit early, I had the exact ones they show. I am also using Clear Blue fertility monitor which showed peak ovulation on the same day to verify the results. I have has different ferning every day since then, and today it looks like the ovulation ferning. I am 14 DPO and had a tiny bit of spotting two days ago then nothing. I feel like AF is here, but nothing yet. took a hpt which was neg.
My point is, I think the saliva monitor is great, but lately I have been having misleading results. They say if you continue to fern, you have conceived, but I really doubt it. I really feel like AF is imminent.

You should find a very distinct change in saliva right before o and on the day of o. It takes a bit of getting used to spitting on the slide and getting the right amount, but at least it doesn't cost money each time you do it. Good luck! I'll let you all know if it works for me!

[nnclyn]

Generally you will see a second surge in the second half of your cycle. That is pretty normal as your hormones beging to fluctuate again just before your period or if you are pregnant.

People have said that if you are indeed pregnant, that ferning will continue to appear.