Best home family planning tests according to redditors

how about 25 for $6.99?

A little more than a quarter per test.

This is literally what is inside the plastic handles.

to piggyback off u/zelliez - amazon sells the test strips they use in clinics for ultra cheap and in bulk. You can get them bundled with ovulation tests too, if that's something you need

I take a pregnancy test every time I pay rent, just to make sure. My mom had me on an iud, I'm not taking any chances.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00SXCX1TO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502210618&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bulk+pregnancy+tests&dpPl=1&dpID=51eYVGYocDL&ref=plSrch

First, refuse to sign the birth certificate at the hospital. Nurses and administrators will bark, jump through hoops, and raise hell making you feel like you need to sign it. You don't. Second, demand a paternity test. It doesn't need to be a court ordered one, it can be an over the counter test or even one sold off of Amazon. They aren't admissible in court, but if that test shows you're not the father, you should demand a legally binding paternity test.

>I must remain in the area because she has to stay near her family

False. You need to support a child that is actually yours. You don't need to throw your professional life away because she wants to live in the middle of nowhere.

>If I were to get a PhD shoveling 20k/year her way for many years is worth the opportunity.

You're going to be blind sided by what child support is actually going to ding ou for.

You madame, are genius! I'm getting an IUD later this month, but have been period-less on Depo for YEARS. Just ordered a pack to help ease my mind when I question if I'm experiencing side effects from my birth control or if they're actually symptoms... Bless you ❤
Similar version (US): Https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT30C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7eGIzb8Z7KG1Z

Because pregnancy tests in drugstores are expensive af, I found you can get super cheap pregnancy test strips on Amazon, 50 strips for $12! I have PCOS, so I never have periods, so I just use one of those strips every few months just to make sure. So much peace of mind :)

ClinicalGuard® HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Individually-Sealed, Pack of 50) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT3BUE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ekodBbRJ0BV3K

CW: Previous loss mentioned

Cycle: Trying since April 2017


Ovulation cycle day: 13


Relevant BD/BD method: Husband coins the phrase "Fuck week" method. Sex every night from CD8 to CD16.


Tracking methods and apps used:


First cycle using Ava bracelet. 🙄 I used FF for a long while but over time started to genuinely despise temping. Temp drops would send me into downward spirals in the wee hours of the morning. My husband started to resent FF. My cycles were very regular and since I knew I typically ovulated between CD 12-14 (thanks to FF), we adopted fuck week protocol and stopped with temping some months back. I would encourage anyone starting out to jump right into temping because I regret not starting sooner but would also encourage anyone to stop it if it's making you miserable.


As for the Ava, I had an abandoned HSA account from an old job with a few hundred bucks and (for whatever reason) it's too big of a pain to merge it with my current HSA so I've been running it down. Ava is kind of neat but I assure you, you do not need this thing. It's overpriced for what it does, imo.


Symptom spotting:

Nipples were mildly tingly but they were last cycle too so I didn't put much stock into it. Bloated and gassy before BFP but still did not register until after the fact.


Day of positive test(s): 14 DPO (CD 27)


I'm away on business travel this week and next. I got my BFP in a hotel bathroom alone on Wednesday morning. Thanks to the huge bathroom mirror, I got to see the big smile on my face. 😊


BFP stands for big faint positive in my case because the line was there but no where near as dark as the control. I brought a few cheapie ClinicalGuard tests from Amazon with me on this trip. I took another test CD16 (Friday) and it was still faint as the first. Que deep panic setting in. Turns out there's a number of reviews on Amazon warning not to use these for line progression purposes. I have a FRER at home I can take when I get back. Debating if I should get a Clearblue Digital while I'm down here to show hubs when he picks me up from the airport later this week. 🤔 🤷


I had a miscarriage at 6 wks this year in April and had a very faint line on a FRER at DPO 16 then. Nothing like prior miscarriage to rob the joy of a positive pregnancy test. (This is why the faint line has me so terrified.)


I did get a fucking grip after I read this article so panic averted for now. A faint positive is still a positive. The line on a home pregnancy test isn't going to tell you if you will carry to term. It's just pregnant: true/false. Embracing the "today, I am pregnant" mentality and cherishing the bloat, gas, and increasingly sore boobs.


Supplements and medications:

NatureMade Prenatal Multi+DHA

NatureMade CoQ10 100 mg

NatureMade D3 25 mcg (1000 IU)

Now Fish Oil DHA 500/EPA 250


Husband was also taking the same only swap the prenatal with a Men's One-a-Day vitamin. We've been on this regimen for a while now. Hubs also takes Adderall.


Birth control history, if relevant:


Two back to back Mirenas, last one removed April 2017. Had not had my period for many years until ttc. Forgot how much it sucked. It took about 3 months to normalize after removal.


Typical cycle length: 27 days


Health conditions/medical tests: Sedentary and stressful office job. Otherwise healthy.


Link to chart: Ava chart

I switched to "pregnancy monitoring mode" or whatever and now I can't see what the chart looked like before that. :/ It said that I ovulated on CD 13 (Sept 26). OF COURSE, the one night I forgot to wear was a fairly critical data day CD 12.

Note that the temp rise is not very clear post ovulation. (Not as clear as I was used to on FF.)


Link to lineporn: Squinty Arrow added for husband's benefit.


Other (advice, magic secrets, freaking out, miscellaneous):


I have been stressed out to the max with my job this cycle. So much for "just relax and it will happen". 😂 That being said, I have gone through a weird attitude adjustment over the past few cycles. Hard to describe. I stopped being so negative and also stopped being overly anxious about making things perfect. I drank coffee throughout this cycle and into ttw. I tried to get up from my desk and walk everyday. I didn't consider myself out immediately just because something wasn't optimal. I read somewhere on Pinterest, "You don't need perfection to get pregnant" and it really stuck with me. In the end, conception happens on the microscopic level and how you feel about it isn't going to impact much. So you might as just go with the flow. My husband helped me see this. He really helped lift me out of my funk.


I fly home on Thursday and wouldn't you know it, hubs and I have our first appt with an RE on Friday morning. (Nuts to think I made this appointment in August.) If everything stays good by Monday (Tuesday the latest), I'm going to call to cancel or reschedule a month out and see how it goes.


I would have been due in December with the baby we lost earlier this year. Hopefully I will be far enough along to make an announcement at the family Christmas party instead. 🤞


Sending my love and best wishes to everyone reading and congrats to the other BFP posters this week! There was a long time when these threads were too hard for me to read so also sending my love to those in that place too. ❤️❤️❤️

Edit: Looks like I am heading back to that place too... 😭

Seconding this -- buy 50 tests and mail them out as needed!

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372640455&sr=8-2&keywords=wondfo+pregnancy+test

If you want to regularly want to check that you’re not pregnant I highly recommend ordering “internet cheapies” from Amazon. They work just as well for a fraction of the cost. These are the ones I got.

When I had my IUD, I bought a bunch of the cheapo pregnancy test strips off Amazon just for those days when I felt stressed because I didn’t have my period yet. Missed period stress is the worst. Being able to take a quick test to put my mind at ease every now and then was worth paying $7.50 for 20 strips on Amazon. Plus then you can be that friend who can support her best Judy when she’s worried she’s knocked up. “Come on over whenever; I’ve got Oreos and a pregnancy test with your name on it.” 👍

Pregnancy tests are cheaper if you buy them on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AOMAOG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can also buy multi packs of tests from Amazon for cheap. Always useful for the paranoia. The exact same dollar store tests are like 89c at walmart.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2ZURzbJTGRD89

On Amazon! So much cheaper than the drugstore ones and I can ease my irrational fear of pregnancy forever. Highly suggest.

These are the ones I have. I have a total of 18. I know that it can be hard or embarrassing to buy one, and sometimes it gets expensive. No matter what situation you're in, I'd love to help out!

No surprise there! .. The Truth Your Mom / Wife Isn't Telling You! A very very huge number of wives have got pregnant out cheating and a good many of them intentionally so. They just keep quiet and foist the kids off onto their husbands. I'm pregnant, you are you are going to be a daddy. This was a choice / plan to cheat .. Not something to be called a mistake later. Where is the guilt and remorse over the deception? They don't have any, that is how they can deceive their husbands without a care and go on cheating, and go on living a lie. They think it is really funny and spunky of them. They don't want to have children by their (lowly beta) husbands, so they go out and roll with other (alpha) men. TRUST is how they managed to cheat around without having their unsuspecting husbands question them. Now, they want husbands to TRUST them again and not do dna paternity testing on themselves and the kid/kids. (lol) Some wives are threatening to leave their husbands if they do testing. Why? .. They got something to hide! It has nothing to do with trust. It is the last defensive move they have left. Deception and Cheating has ruined marriages, Not dna paternity testing. It isn't a new process, it is simply being streamlined and is becoming more and more common. Science moves ahead not backwards. Soon you'll see electronic devices of all kinds and apps that will allow dads / anyone to do dna testing easily. 20 to 40+ percent of the kids out there don't have the dads they think they do.

The Really BIG Secret .. Wives Have Been Secretly Choosing (secret) Daddies For Their / Her Children And Keeping It Secret From Their Husbands! Now, there is a way to find out if you have been / are a victim of Paternity Deception! .. DNA Paternity Testing. Don't wait until you are to old to have a child of you own with a women with some integrity. She isn't ever going to tell you she cheated on you. She isn't ever going to tell you she cheated on you and the kids are probably not yours. Husbands can ask, but they'll lie to their faces and they are good it. You And The Children Have A Right To Learn The Truth! .. A Right To Know Without Any Doubts!

http://www.angryharry.com/esPaternityFraud.htm

96% of women are liars, honest

www.scotsman.com/news/uk/96-of-women-are-liars-honest-1-565123

( Let a women tell you how it really is ... Who's The Daddy? )
"It’s a wise child, they say, that knows its own father. Nowadays, however, wisdom is hardly required; DNA tests can do the job with scientific certainty. For the entire course of human history, men have nursed profound, troubling doubts about the fundamental question of whether or not they were fathers to their own children; women, by contrast, usually enjoyed a reasonable level of certainty about the matter.

Now, a cotton-wool swab with a bit of saliva, plus a small fee, less than £200, can settle the matter. At a stroke, the one thing that women had going for them has been taken away, the one respect in which they had the last laugh over their husbands and lovers. DNA tests are an anti-feminist appliance of science, a change in the balance of power between the sexes that we’ve hardly come to terms with. And that holds true even though many women have the economic potential to provide for their children themselves."


www.spectator.co.uk/features/6391918/whos-the-daddy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6D2UmE7Yd8


www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLB2NRGVUEI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfjZNYV8-2E

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlDTRj2yEj8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vN2FeYiIpQ


To Understand ...

www.swabtest.com/faqs.php


DNA Paternity Testing Kit

IDENTIGEN - www.dnatesting.com


STK Paternity Test Kit

www.amazon.com/STK-PT01_A-Paternity-Test-Kit/dp/B005Y34OKA

A cheating session - Almost GUARANTEES A Pregnancy! About 99.5% of the time the wife conceives when cheating. She almost never gets caught, because she plans it well and her husband trust her.


Lies When It Come To Paternity ...

www.avoiceformen.com/allnews/women-50-would-lie-about-paternity-while-42-would-lie-about-being-on-birth-control/


Shame and Scandal - Just scratching the surface

www.angryharry.com/reShameandScandal.htm


How To - Do A DNA Paternity Test.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVd6qv_pfJQ

Bought these in bulk from trollx rec, will never look back ;)

Okay, here we go. First of all, good job having safe sex but let this scare be the motivation to have safer sex, i.e. get on some birth control on top of the condom use. There are a variety of options and is cost/parents are an issue go to your local Planned Parenthood to go over your options. :)

That being said I understand what you are going through right now. A lot of what you're describing is what I suspect not pregnancy just because it'd be crazy early to be getting signs of being pregnant. I'm thinking you're just being hypersensitive to things because you're stressed and worried. Google is hell for people who suspect unwanted pregnancy, haha. If it would make you feel better, take a test, but I'm not sure it'd pick up on pregnancy this early so it may be a waste of time.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B0002YIQEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342981043&sr=8-1&keywords=pregnancy+test

I would buy a pack of these for the future to have on hand for possible scares like this one down the road. They're cheap, work, and it's nice to not have to worry about picking up a test at the store when you're already stressed, especially with you being so young. I would also pick up the morning after pill to have on hand. Not now because it is not an abortion pill and will not work if you're already pregnant and you can only take it up to 72 hours after your sexual encounter, but again, good to have on hand.

Overall, however, if your condom didn't break then I'd say your chances are slim to nil that you actually are pregnant.

I would also take this as an opportunity to talk to your partner about unwanted pregnancy. Would you want to adopt, get an abortion? It's your decision, but would you have your partner's support both emotionally and possibly financially? Would he want to keep it? These are important questions that I think it's important to ask your partner.

If you have any more questions, ask. I've been in your shoes before and know how it feels.

You can buy the same pregnancy tests used in hospitals on Amazon for $.33 each!

Take a test. It's not physically impossible for you to have gotten pregnant; it's just very unlikely if you used condoms properly. But not impossible.

Another possibility is stress, which can make your period late. It could also simply be your wonky cycle being, well, wonky. Mine is wonky too. It's been like that for so many years, in fact, that I go on Amazon and buy these in bulk because it's way cheaper than buying the pee-on-a-stick kind. This is what that use in doctors' offices, and they're easy and I'm poor.

I'd recommend also going and getting on the pill. Your period will show up regularly (or not at all, depending on which kind), and it's an added layer of protection on top of condoms. If you really don't want to gamble with pregnancy, it's a good idea to take the pill.

Congrats on losing your V-card. I wish you many years of happy, healthy fuckin'!

Someone just linked to these

We have a guide to OPKs in our sidebar that covers a lot of questions about how to use them. A lot of us here like wondfos because they are cheap as hell and do the trick. Once the test line (closer to the dipping end) is darker than the control, that's a positive.

You can also buy them in bulk on amazon.

If you're a pee-on-a-stick addict, get a big pack of the hospital grade strips off Amazon.

OP could also order online! Amazon carries a 50-count test strip for something like $20. Hang on, getting the link.

Here we go.

So much cheaper.

I have Nexplanon, too, and am adamantly child free. I have a fund for if I ever fall pregnant.

​

I also bulk buy these tests once a year and take one every month-ish. They're super cheap and just as effective as the $10 ones. Also, none of the in person awkwardness.

You can buy pregnancy test strips on Amazon for less than a quarter apiece.

If you are really paranoid about it, just test yourself whenever you feel anxious.

NO STOP DON'T BUY THOSE

Buy these. You get fifty of the dang things and they're the same kind your gyn would use.

OPKs

OPKS (Ovulation Prediction Kits) are used to let you know when your body is producing more LH. LH ramps up in the body shortly before you ovulate. These kits are often a dip test that you use with urine you have held for 3-4 hours. Unlike pregnancy tests, these strips are only positive when the test line is as dark or darker than the control line. Having a +OPK does not guarantee you are going to ovulate. Instead, it says that if you do ovulate it will be within the next 12-48 hours. Though some people ovulate as soon as 6 hours, and some as late as 72, most people ovulate 12-48 hours after a positive OPK. Many women do not surge until the afternoon, so it is a good idea to test in the morning and early evening when you are getting close to the day you normally ovulate. Many of our users purchase bulk packs of Wondfo Ovulation Prediction Kits as a cost effective and reliable way to test during the cycle. Here is how to tell if your Wondfos are counterfeit. Sometimes your body gears up to ovulate and then decides to abort the ovulation for whatever reason. If that happens you will have a positive opk, however, if you keep using them you will find another positive opk in a week or two. If you are not expecting this, it may seem like you are late for your period, when really you are not.

Yes! I remember someone saying they were basically the same tests used at clinics.

I have a bag of the Wondfo strips, too ...just in case! I don't feel so guilty (price-wise) testing myself every couple of months or so when I think something is "off".

I don't see anything, still super early.

Out of curiosity is your phone auto correcting Wondfo to wondfro?

Have an IUD. I use these every so often just for the reassurance. Worth every penny.

20 pack of pregnancy tests

Here's 20 for $6.50 - http://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard%C2%AE-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B007VT2OQG/

If you're looking for a more frugal option, you can buy these in bulk on Amazon. They don't have the plastic stick, just the indicator strip that you pee on, but they are the same quality as ones you buy in a store.

Here's 50 for $18.99; they also have packs of different quantities if you search!

DNA test is the only solution to find out if it is yours. That or you just assume the role of dad without ever knowing. Not sure if they have them there but cvs has these http://m.cvs.com/mt/www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/IDENTIGENE-DNA-Paternity-Test?skuId=420841 as well as rite aid, walgreens, amazon. 30 bucks plus 130 lab fee or here is a cheaper one on amazon http://www.amazon.com/STKs-Paternity-Test-Kit-INCLUDES/dp/B005Y34OKA

Get one asap you can even test the kid while she's asleep, in the bathroom, if she will flip her shit. Results in days.

Withdrawal bleeding from cessation of the contraceptive pill doesn’t mean anything, it’s not a true period. If it stresses you out buy something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard%C2%AE-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B007VT30C8 and test yourself every month. Using oral contraceptives will not mask the hormones that the tests detect. There’s no medical reason not to run the pill packs together, aside from how practical it is to not have to deal with bleeding, running packs together it also increases the efficacy (therefore reducing the failure rate).

Not TOTALLY relevant...but there's no need to buy those pregnancy tests at CVS when you could get these for ~$15 for 25 of them.

They save a lot of panics for missed periods, not to mention saving the hassle of seeing exes at CVS. :P

Before starting fertility treatment, my cycle varied between 35 & 45 days, and due to this, it was very difficult to determine when I was 'late'. The anticipation killed me, especially when we first started TTC ...

I think the first time I was 'late', I went ahead and took a test (negative) and any time after that, I just waited an additional 5 - 7 days to see my period would show up (it always did). Once I got on fertility drugs, I was on a strict 28-day cycle so I knew that the one time I was late, it was for real (and it was)!

Go buy yourself a package of cheap Pregnancy & Ovulation Predictor tests from amazon. It'll save you a ton of money and you won't feel as guilty taking a pregnancy test "just in case."

GOOD LUCK - and don't get discouraged if it takes longer than a few months. These things come with time, patience, & a whole lot of FUN!

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371507696&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=wandafo+test

that's the best i could find right now. i guess their prices went up from when i bought them, but still 38 cents a piece is way better than like $5 or more a piece from the drugstore lol

Have you tried peeing into a cup and then sticking the tests in and leaving them until the control line shows up? That's what I do lol. Also something cheaper is getting just the test strips in bulk off of Amazon. I paid $7 for 20.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007VT2OQG/ref=ya_aw_oh_bia_dp?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you go to /r/TFABLinePorn sometimes the title will tell you the brand.

The most common strips I know of are the Wondfo, Clinical Guard and Easy@home.
They are mostly used due to how cheap they are compared with the First Response and other big brands.

For example, on Amazon: [wondfo] (https://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ) vs FRER

If taking another test is a money issue, because honestly the drug store tests are wayyyyy overpriced, order the tests from amazon. They sell the simple strip tests that Dr. offices use 50 tests for $20.

i bought these and theyve been great so far, but they all expire next year, so that kinda sucks.

"worth it" is relative - you can get a 50 pack off amazon for practically the same price as a 2 pack at the store, definitely worth it at that price point. Last cycle was my first time using them and I started on day 8, tested daily for over a week, sometimes twice a day because why not, definitely nice having more info.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004IJHDN6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_TLj8AbGMVRHN3

Got a super faint line yesterday and another faint one this morning! And then I went and bought a digital test to try tomorrow because I still don't quite believe it.

ETA more info:

I was using these super cheap tests from Amazon and I just bought a Clearblue digital to try tomorrow.

I used an Ava bracelet that I bought with HSA dollars to track my cycles since last December. Except, we went to a super remote area on vacation last month and so I was unable to sync data. So I just guessed ovulation week based on previous predictions and banged it out every day for 5 days, with day 3 being the predicted ovulation on day 14, since I sometimes ovulated on day 16 or 17. We had sex twice on day 3.

I tested the day before my estimated period (cycle day 26) and got nothing. Tested the morning of my missed period and had a faint line. Tested again this morning, another faint line.

I buy the 100 count packs.

hCG test strips! 25 for $7.99

A lot of people here use the MABIS thermometer and really like it. I just got a cheap one from Target and it works just fine. As far as OPKs, the Wondfo brand/other internet cheapies are really popular and super cheap compared to some of the digital ones (Clearblue, etc). It depends on your preference, though. My first time around I used the Clear Blue digital OPKs and I liked that they were cut and dry with their negative/positive response. This time I'm using Wondfos because they're much cheaper, although there is more room for interpretation with the negative/positive. You can check out /r/TFABLinePorn to see what pictures of positive/negative cheap OPKs look like. You can also get cheap HPTs bundles, too. Happy shopping!

MABIS Basal Thermometer, Digital BBT Thermometer, Basal Body Temperature Thermometer... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O6YCZY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_mdyrzbBGK3WVV

Wondfo Combo 50 LH Ovulation & 20 HCG Pregnancy Test Strips https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RY8UBNC/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_blyrzbS8T1B71

Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test, 20 Ovulation Tests https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AOJ5R8W/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_ZlyrzbKCE31EJ

She definitely handmade that test. But..it gets better. The test she is trying to recreate is a wondfo test strip. They make 2 kinds...ovulation, and pregnancy. You can clearly see by her fingers that it's light blue. The light blue strips are the fucking ovulation tests. The pregnancy tests are pink! This bitch falsified the wrong type of test!! Lolol

Source: am currently pregnant, and used the exact brand of test strips she's trying to copy to track ovulation and also test pregnancy.

Source 2: amazon

I bought 100 ovulation and 20 pregnancy tests for <$34 on Amazon

Firstly, I would read Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler​. It goes over the basics (and more!) of charting your cycle so that you can tell when you are fertile. It will answer a lot of your questions. Even if you choose not to chart your temperature it'll give you a really good understanding of how your body works. It will also help you recognize when your cervical mucus indicates peak fertility. I would recommended charting though, it really helped my understand my inner workings and it's the only at-home way to confirm ovulation. If you decide to chart, have a look at Fertility Friend, an online charting app.

Wondfos are just a brand of cheap ovulation and pregnancy tests that can be bought via Amazon. They are really useful. I would definitely use them. The ovulation test strips (known as OPKs) here are often the easiest way to tell you're fertile. Here's a link.

Soft cups are disposable menstrual cups. Women use them after sex to keep semen as close as possible to the cervix for a longer period of time. Some women stay in bed with their hips elevated for the same reason. I can't comment on soft cups as I haven't used them.

Cough syrup is used to thin cervical mucus. This helps the sperm swim through it more easily. Usually, this is only used if your cervical mucus doesn't reach the fertile stage on it's own. Mucinex and Robitussin (the plain not the DM versions) are used. Honestly though, I wouldn't jump into using this stuff unless you've confirmed that you need it.

Another common aid here is PreSeed. It's a sperm-friendly lubricant that mimics your own fertile cervical fluids. Once again, you may not need this. Just remember that normal lube is not sperm friendly and can hurt your TTC chances.

My opinion is to try charting (temperature and cervical mucus) and OPKs. It's how I got my BFP quickly. I wouldn't bother with adding any extras just yet. Position and time of day don't matter. Although don't have sex more than once a day, it reduces sperm volume.

Good luck. If you have any questions, just ask.

30 for $8

25 early detection for $11

25 for ~$3.50

50 for $19

Are you using ovulation tests? That helped me a lot!

These are pretty great: http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Step-Ovulation-Strips-50-Count/dp/B004IJHDN6

Also, /r/tryingforababy has a lot of great advice on this.

I'm sorry that you're frustrated. You may want to buy some FRERs and use those in the morning. Since they read positive at only 8.3miu of hCG if you are pregnant a FRER (First Response Early Results)should be positive. And then it may at least put your mind at ease that it isn't just a problem with the Target tests. Or that it is, either way.

I think we've all been where you are. It's hard! Trying to have a baby can be an incredibly emotionally draining process. I can't even tell you have many cycles I got my hopes up over symptoms only to get a bunch of negative tests and then my period.

> You can also buy 'em in bulk on-line dirt cheap from China, too.

Yep, the [Wondfo]
(https://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ/) tests are really well reviewed and dirt-cheap ($0.50 a test or less depending on how many you buy.) But if you just need a test or two, or can't afford $12 upfront, the dollar store's the way to go.

Isn't it so cool that all of this personal health information is quickly becoming more accessible to us?

Bulk pack of Wondfo tests from Amazon. :D No curious looks from other shoppers or the cashier!

But maybe you will have my luck: bought a big pack (25 or 50, can't remember which)... got positive result the day they arrived.

Amazon Wondfos are even cheaper! I'm in my 9th cycle now and haven't yet emptied out my first 50 pack. And I really do test whenever I feel like it.

This is what I was going to come and say - AMAZON. A friend of mine was in a similar situation last year and didn't realize she could get pregnancy tests online. These are the "Amazon Choice" ones and are cheap and prime. Decently reviewed. One of the reviewers also said it comes in discreet packaging. And even if there are a couple of duds in the batch (which I don't imagine why there would be, but you'd run that risk even in the more expensive ones) there are lots of other ones to do as well.

The biggest thing though, and I know this will be the hardest part, is to just take everything a day at a time. Right now, you can't control what's going on, but you can control your reaction. If you're not pregnant and your period is late, it could be due to a multitude of factors, not least of which is stress. Mine was late by a month and a half because of stress in school. You just don't know until you do the test or your period comes, whichever happens first. It will be ok. It may not be great, but it WILL be ok. hugs

Here is an example

I'll make it easy and just link it for ya! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VT30C8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

Amazon! These are the ones I got, but there are plenty more options available as well. The only thing is they are strips, so you have to pee in a cup and then dip the strips in the cup (I have a designated cup for this under my sink lmao). I got the 25 pack but they offer up to 100!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VT30C8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1v

I'm so sorry you had to deal with all of that. I completely understand how you feel, a baby would 150% ruin my life.

I've bought a heap of pregnancy test strips (no casing, but reliable) from Amazon. It was about $15 for two years worth if I test every fortnight or so. It gives me piece of mind. :)

Edit: Look for something like these. Happy non-baby making!

For moments like these, I highly recommend getting a ton of tests for cheap from Amazon. I got 50 for like 10 bucks a while back and it's really helped me calm down.

Here's the link

You are probably fine, but it sounds like you are getting a little crazy over this. There is an easy solution. Keep them in your drawer. Use them whenever you feel a freakout coming.

I used these while trying to conceive:
http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Combo-Ovulation-Pregnancy-Strips/dp/B00RY8UBNC/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1458407868&sr=1-1&keywords=wondfo

You can get just the pregnancy ones as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ

These are the exact same items that some doctors/clinics will use in their office. It's a little messier than the ones you can get over the counter because you need to pee in a cup that you can dip the strip in but that's not a big deal IMO.

Edit: side note, the ovulation predictor strips worked, I had my little bundle of poopy on 2/17. It was nice to have a bunch of pregnancy tests though so every month I could go through one or two when I got impatient.

I have Mirena and so far I don't have periods anymore. I just trust that it is working and I never really worry that I might be l pregnant. If you can't bring yourself to trust that your birth control is working, why don't you buy pregnancy tests in bulk for cheap? Here is the link from the side bar: http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B0002YIQEQ

If you're actually making yourself overly anxious about this, you might want to talk to your doctor about either switching to different birth control or finding ways to cope with no periods. Good luck!

If someone is ttc, I would recommend these pregnancy strips from Amazon. They are the cheapest I found, plus it gave me a positive at 3 weeks! Pregnancy test can really add up fast. I have no idea why they make them so expensive. The only difference with these is that they don't have the plastic covering over the strip.

33 cents a test!

If you need to test often for whatever reason (I did not get a period on Mirena so I took a monthly test just to be sure), these guys are awesome! They're just as accurate as the others, but they don't have the fancy outer casing.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372640455&sr=8-2&keywords=wondfo+pregnancy+test via u/happyplains

These work great. Any that say 'test strip'. They are easy to use.

Ooh I can help here!! You can buy huge packs of test strips online for mega cheap. I bought this pack ($19 for 50) and they're going to expire before I could even come close to using them all!

That's fiscally irresponsible, get the 25 pack.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7wzJyb40HVN1E

I have really bad anxiety and while I'm pretty confident I won't get pregnant before I'm ready, sometimes I wonder if I am. Thanksgiving last year, I spent way too much time worrying. After that, I got a pack of 20 for $7.50ish and every so often if I start to wonder I take one to give myself peace of mind. I read reviews and whatnot and people had said they were struggling TTC and buying these were cheaper than one of the drugstore ones. Reviews said they can notice as early as seemingly 2-3 weeks (one review said they tested positive 8 days post-ovulation). That's decently early to get accurate results. I was a bit surprised they could be that good at that price, but yeah. They're definitely underrated.

This is exactly what I've always done. I like the CB for the low/high/peak distinction, but I like actually being able to see the strength of the line to determine actual positive OPK day. (...also, the Wondfos read faster than the CBs, and I'm not a patient woman.)

I really like the CBs because I don't feel like I have very readable CM most of the time. If you feel like you have a good handle on your CM, and if your CM follows a predictable pattern, you may not find them as useful -- the low/high distinction is made by detecting rising levels of estrogen in the fertile window, which is the same thing you're doing when looking at different kinds of CM.

This is the CB kit I've always ordered from Amazon. It's much cheapter to buy them from Amazon than in your local drugstore -- I think this same kit was something like $70 at my local CVS. You can re-use the reader for multiple cycles, as long as you still have sticks left.

I used easy@home: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Home-Ovulation-Strips-Pregnancy/dp/B00DOJG6RA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

You can find wondfos on Amazon too.

I gave my leftovers away to a friend when she visited/hosted Max's baby shower. At 36 weeks I thought I was in the clear and would never need them again.

Wow do I have so much baggage.

Amazon has them for extremely cheap. They are just little dippers without the plastic case and usually have pregnancy tests in the same box. I used these: Easy@Home 50 Ovulation Test Strips and 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Combo Kit, (50 LH + 20 HCG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOJG6RA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.YoPDbZBRXCR6

I can't figure out if these will ship to Australia, but look for something like this. They're just as accurate as the "pee on a stick" kind but muuuchhhh cheaper.

The advice you are going to receive here is mostly bullshit, bedsides the few who have seen a real doctor. I highly recommend seeking a guidance with a fertility clinic. I can already tell some of these posts should be crossed over to r/badwomensanatomy

Begin tracking your cycle twice or once a day by utilizing LH Surge Prediction Strips. I found a brand that works well for me and has been accurate thus far: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G5WEE9Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

You will need to keep a journal and begin taking notes about the texture, color, and wetness of your vaginal and cervical mucus. I recommend getting a box of gloves and dipping your fingers in around the same time you take the LH Surge Strip. You are looking for a specific texture change that begins to develop the closer you are to ovulating. I won't go into the different mucus types because you can find that information online easily. Again, see a medical professional.

If you see an LH Surge come up positive and you notice perhaps your mucus is BEGINNING to be clear, more elastic, and wet than usual... It's likely you are anywhere from 24-48 hours prior to ovulating. Have sex frequently during the next 48 hours, having sperm inside of you ready for the egg to drop is actually ideal. Sperm can survive up to five days but more likely, only two days. USE LUBE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FORMULATED FOR CONCEPTION! Ordinary can kill sperm and impede travel.

Positions and the female orgasm don't really have play here. Studies have shown it's all about the mucus. Yes, having an orgasm produces more mucus but that doesn't mean it helps.

You can set a 15 minute timer after he cums and lay on your back to ensure some sperm have begun the journey through the mucus. Sperm are tiny and am of this is happening on an itty bitty scale. Extending this rest time or choosing different positions will have minimal impacts.

If you haven't already you both need to be STI tested and you need to have a new pap smear, physical exam, and ultrasound completed. You can have an infection or STI and show no symptoms. He should also have a physical examine completed.

Have all of your check and balances in place, if you are not pregnant within three months you may want to also consider having your partner's potency tested. Many couples underestimate how their male partner's reproductive health impacts becoming pregnant. I've had friends that suddenly become pregnant because the male quit drinking sodas.

Be educated and think for yourself. Don't rely on a bunch of perverts to tell you how to get pregnant. Join some pregnancy subs. Best of luck, I hope you are successful!!!!!!!

Ladies, I know this isn't ketobabies, but if you're trying for a baby with irregular periods, then get thee to Amazon and order an ovulation predictor kit. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DOJG6RA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1541726768&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=ovulation+predictor+kit&psc=1. The cheap ones work just as well as the expensive ones)

I've been trying too, and it turns out I was way off when I thought I was ovulating. The more you know! Good luck y'all!

Hugs! It's so hard, just take it day by day. I MC in late August at 12 weeks and have three people announce their pregnancy one due after mine (was due) in March. Today I have to go to Thanksgiving with my husband's family and his cousin has a 10 month old who's perfect. It's such BS, I get it! Take it day by day and if that doesn't work minute by minute.

Have you tried the [Wondfo Strips] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RY8UBNC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_X-veAbBJ4DCM1)
I've recently discovered I'm ovulating much sooner than my predictor app on my phone.

It just takes time. It takes time to transition on to pills, and it takes time to transition off of them. Your body just isn't used to what you are asking of it yet, especially being so young when your body hasn't really regulated itself yet.

If you are worried that you could be pregnant, Amazon sells test strips that are great to have on hand. Much cheaper than going to the drug store and paying $15 per test. The dollar store also sells $1 tests if Amazon is not an option for you.

I would recommend setting an alarm on your phone to take your pill at a certain time. Just choose a time that you're usually always home and able to take it. The pill needs to be taken as close to the same time as possible every single day for it to work correctly. If you're really busy and on the go all the time, it might be worth it for you to look into another form of BC as well, such as Nuvaring, Nexplanon, or Skyla so that you don't have to remember to take the pill.

You mention that you have unprotected sex as well. Please, for your own sake, use condoms whenever possible in the future. It's not worth it to chance your entire life yet.

Not to be an enabler...but if you all don't want to spend a ton of money on pregnancy tests from drugstores or grocery stores, check out these from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B0002YIQEQ

Dollar Tree also has very accurate ones for $1 (and I believe that is specific to Dollar Tree, not any other dollar stores, but someone correct me if I'm wrong!).

Bulk you say? Wondfo brand is super cheap on Amazon, but they are just the strips so you have to pee in a cup first and then dip. I personally prefer that, cause I think it's easier to pee in a cup than on a stick. It's always good to have another brand on hand in case you're not sure (something with a digital read out), but this really gives a good bang for your buck.

Take a deep breath and calm yourself down a little. It is very likely too early to bother with a pregnancy test. You will have to wait for your period and if that doesn't show up, take one then. All this stress you are putting on yourself could delay your period too.

If he didn't ejaculate inside of you it is pretty unlikely that you are pregnant. Yes, sometimes precum will have sperm in it but it is usually at a low concentration. It is possible to get pregnant but unlikely. Try to calm yourself down and wait until your period is supposed to start.

Also, here is a cheap place for pregnancy tests

This is a great product, not that I know from personal experience or anything...

Also, in one of my bioe classes, we had a guy come in from I think Baxter and explain how after they developed a pregnancy test in a stick vs. a 'home science kit' type of thing, someone in marketing had a bright idea to stick it in a plastic holder so they could charge like $8 for 2 tests instead of $3 or something. Sigh

edit: for an example of the 'home science kit' type of test, scroll down to the 1978 entry here

If anyone is curious, here is how modern day sandwich Elisa or 'blue line' test strips work

I chart my cycle and know when it is and isn't safe to have unprotected sex. Condoms are over 99% effective and we use those when it isn't safe to go unprotected. You could also just abstain during those times if you don't trust condoms, or engage in alternative intimacy options (mutual masturbation, anal sex, etc.).

I use a Lady-Comp to assist me with the charting. I personally love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E1Y1X6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is who I have been buying from for a few months!

Amazon.com. They have many options from packs of just pregnancy tests to packs like the one I get, which has OPKs and pregnancy tests. For $16.95, I get 50 OPKs and 20 pregnancy tests and my husband and I have amazon prime, so I get it in two days without having to pay any additional shipping. I use a pint sized take out tupperware to pee in and I haven't gotten any on my hands (more than I can say for the time I tried an expensive test stuck in my urine stream).

On the one hand, yeah, I should be supporting smaller, more local businesses. On the other hand, I can pee on things as many times as I want during the day and it's still cheaper than a Starbucks habit :)

Get these. Seriously, they are like 30 cents per strip and are what they use in hospitals.

There is no need for trust anymore. Paternity test kits are $100. Every self-respecting man should be testing every one of his children, just in case (unless you happen to live in France, which is so literally cucked that it made paternity testing illegal). If your wife objects, that's your test result right there.

Clearing up that 1% costs $100 and is super easy.

I have zero reason to suspect my wife is a cheater but my youngest son doesn't look anything like me. I love the boy and nothing, not even finding out he wasn't mine would change that. But the doubt wouldn't go away until I knew for certain. Woke him up gently one night, swabbed his cheeks, gave him a hug and put him back to sleep. He has no idea what I was doing and probably doesn't even remember it.

The results came back within a week. I am now 100% certain that I am the father.

Yeah, those, you can get 100 strips for the cost of one at a CVS. They're like 30 cents each at that point vs like $15. So anytime my friends were like oh no my boobs are tender and I'm nauseous, I'd like like girl I got you, I have like 20 tests in my cabinet rn haha

dude trash pregnancy tests are like the worst thing to find, bc a lot of them have an evaporation line after the 10 min or so reaction line that looks like a (false) positive test. no one told me it's a thing and I once checked one way too late and I was super scared for like a week haha

I highly recommend a big pack of pregnancy tests. They're really easy to use, and they'll set your mind at ease. Very cheap for a ton of them. I use these: https://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=zg_bs_166804011_4/138-8654923-4304842?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=KNS9WNGTGM1WJMSVENK6&th=1

Take them as often as you like to ease your mind :)

UTI test strips: http://www.amazon.com/Areta-Parameter-Urinalysis-Reagent-Strips/dp/B00D5UZMDC/

bulk pregnancy test strips: http://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B007VT30C8/ They have other amounts available as well. $10 for 2 years worth seems like a small price for peace of mind.

In my opinion the clearblue fertility monitor is over-priced and uses old bulky technology (it has been around in this form-factor for about 15 years).

There is little need to spend the money on it as they sell another product that does exactly the same thing (tests for LH and Estrogen using identical sticks) that is called the "Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test".

The only thing that the Clearblue fertility monitor does that the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test doesn't is cycle day calendaring and insists on a pre-selected test window - the cheaper Advanced Digital Ovulation Test will show exactly the same status, low fertility, high fertility and peak fertility at exactly the same times.

Don't believe that the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor "adapts" to your cycle, it doesn't, it just keeps a note of your cycle length (which you can do with a chart, spreadsheet or fertility friend) - in fact lots of people who are Fertility Monitor pros just start feeding in sticks a couple of days before ovulation and stop after the peak reading.

Compare the prices -

Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test with 20 sticks included
= $35.98

vs

Clearblue Fertility Monitor - $151.99
+ 30 Sticks $48.76 = $200.75

I have all of these types of units btw, the two types of digital ovulation testers and also the CBFM.

NB: You need to make sure that you get the "Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test" not the "Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test" as this one only checks for LH (and not Estrogen and LH like the Advanced Digital Ovulation Test does).

This happened to me, too, when I ordered FRERs from Amazon--I missed that in the title it said "packaging and test design may vary" https://www.amazon.com/First-Response-Result-Pregnancy-Packaging/dp/B000052XHI

So I guess this was a variation on "test design"? Still, I was annoyed. If I wanted a digital, I would have ordered a digital! Also, I do not need it to connect to my phone, wtf.

So what's our take on the FRERs on Amazon? It's such a good price, especially with Subscribe and Save, but it almost feels too good to be true.

Should I go with my gut or my wallet?!

If you do not want children, period, you should probably still use a condom as pills are not a hundred percent guarantee. If you find the level of risk is acceptable then wait until after the first month to get into a routine and see how you feel on the birthcontrol.

You're still probably gonna wanna test, for those "just in case" feelings. My suggestion is bulk pregnancy tests, http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ like these to give you peace of mind.

EDIT: also the ladies at /r/birthcontrol are always there for you BC questions.

I think a huge, huge part of the problem is a lack of good sex education in schools for teens. At 14, girls should be given extensive lessons on pregnancy, how to prevent pregnancy, and I even think they should be taught to use these kinds of cheap pregnancy tests and provided with a few to keep on hand in case they have accidental unprotected sex (condom breaks, or they're just irresponsible). I know the tests only keep for about 2 years but at least this exposes them to the existence of cheap pregnancy tests and how to use them. Many girls would probably take the strips home and use them, just to try it out. I also think they should be given a couple of Plan B type pills to keep on hand as well.

So many of these late term abortions and turnaways could be prevented with some education and elimination of stigma and shame.

Check out these!

they are $0.50 on amazon, no need to live anywhere in particular. https://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ

>I don’t know if a cheaper test - but I bet they exist.

Yep, amazon has cheaper. It just requires you to have a cup or something of the sort to hold the urine so you can dip the stick in it.

These strips are super cheap and they're essentially what the doctor's office uses.

You take a pregnancy test 21 days after a missed pill.

If you have anxiety with no missed pill, take a pregnancy test monthly (example on the 1st of each month).

You can get them very very cheap. Example: https://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ?ref_=Oct_CARAsinC_3762561_0&pf_rd_p=811e5d01-388e-5153-b637-f48c348f0d77&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-5&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_i=3762561&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=J2N0SRR2WS656NYQ555Z&pf_rd_r=J2N0SRR2WS656NYQ555Z&pf_rd_p=811e5d01-388e-5153-b637-f48c348f0d77

Hey just putting this here for future reference (and for anyone else) - EVERY sexually active woman should have some pregnancy tests on hand, regardless of contraceptive method. Life, uh, finds a way!

Amazon sells packs of 25 for $12. Do yourself a favor and get some so you have them on hand in the future and don't have to pay $10 a test at the drug store.

I was told by my doctor that it could take up to 18 months for your cycle to return to normal after stopping Depo. I know the literature says up to a year, but my doctor suggested otherwise. I'm actually on Depo, but I missed 2 rounds and asked about this since I still never got my period.

I don't get my period on Depo and my mind still worries about pregnancy even though it is SUPER unlikely, like a .03% failure rate.

If you're being safe, I would suggest the same thing I do - invest in some cheap/bulk tests (http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B0002YIQEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335488886&sr=8-1) and just take them whenever you feel nervous.

There really is nothing else you can do - the doctor can't make your period come back. So, just keep being protected and then keep testing if you really are worried. Just remember that it is a risk you take when you have sex and there is nothing much you can do except being as safe as you can in the way you trust most.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ

I just bought these yesterday. I haven't used them before though.

Why are you not buying them on amazon and avoiding the shame cube?

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YIQEQ

I did the same thing when I skipped placebo but I highly recommend getting these tests: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YIQEQ/

25 tests for $8. Those are exactly what they use for a pregnancy test at the doctor's office. The only difference between these and the fancy drugstore kind is the expensive packaging & plastic handle. Well, you do have to pee & dip rather than putting it in the stream of urine, but there you go. I've used these for years.

Welcome and good luck! :)

As for reading material, get your hands on this. Very good read (just ignore some of the anti-doc speech she has in there and you're good to go).

Do you have a smart phone? Download Fertility Friend! There's a free version and you can also pay for a subscription version that unlocks additional features. (You can also use their website if you don't mind using a desktop version -- desktop and mobile versions sync so you can use both as well, website located here )

Get thee a BBT (basal body thermometer). You can normally find them in the drug store or online (unless you're like me and can't find them anywhere except Amazon, but in theory, you should be able to find them anywhere a thermometer is sold! :P)

ETA: I just noticed you said you're in your 30's. There's also /r/ttc30 if you're interested in checking that out :)

ETA2: If you want a recommendation on what OPK's to use, I use Wondfo OPK's. They're dirt cheap (For a 100 pack of OPK's and a 20 pack of HCG tests, it's ~$35?). Supposedly their HCG tests are garbage, but I've never had a problem with the OPK's. They work great :)

Let me know if you have any questions :) I think I covered all the basics lol

These are what I use! (Sorry for the poor formatting, I'm on mobile)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001E1Y1X6?cache=338f0ad10fc56de99c688f89474aa7be&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1405387497&sr=8-3#ref=mp_s_a_1_3

I have done natural cycle (so timed with OPKs, no monitoring/meds) IUI using frozen donor sperm! In my case, it's because I'm a woman married to a woman.

I started off using the cheaper OPKs that you can get online (a lot of people here use Wondfo, I happened to use Easy@Home). Those are nice because you can buy a ton of them for not much money. A lot of people tend to use them twice a day, and I did at first as well, but I quickly learned that I pretty much can only catch my LH surge between 4-6pm. Most people tend to surge in the late afternoon-early evening, but that's not always the case.

If you aren't comfortable with trying to interpret the cheaper OPKs (determining if the test line is the same color or darker than the control), then I highly recommend the Clearblue Digital OPK (specifically NOT the advanced version - that one will give you a bigger fertile window range which is not important/helpful when timing IUI). When you are having your LH surge, you get a smiley face. Simple but definitely much more expensive.

I definitely recommend supplementing the OPKs with temping. You can use a Mabis or any other basal body thermometer to take your temperature daily first thing in the morning and then put those numbers into a TTC app such as Fertility Friend. It won't tell you when you're ovulating before it happens, but it will tell you after the fact and then you will know if your IUI timing was good or not.

Also, you should check out the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It will give you a lot more information on charting and helping you to pinpoint your ovulation day.

I hope that helps a bit! Please feel free to ask me any other questions 🙂

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1311182944&sr=8-4

Buy in bulk and keep your mind at ease.

Amazon- Pack of 50 strips for $18.99 and Prime shipping.

Guilt-free peeing sister... Guilt-free peeing.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1404182738&sr=8-4&keywords=pregnancy+test

You don't pay full price for tests do you? I buy [50 at a time for like $20] (http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1367543997&sr=8-4&keywords=pregnancy+test) for whenever I'm feeling neurotic.
But yeah, you really don't have to worry so much. The fact that you don't have periods actually means the Mirena is working.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG

i use these

Oh, they exist.

HCG Urine Test's are about as effective as everything else, and are occasionally sold without the big plastic housing. I am certain that some of those $20/piece tests you get at the store are HCG test strips in a big, plastic conatiner for easy handling.

The inexpensive ones look like urinalysis test strips. Here is some image of some:

http://clinicalscienceproducts.com/products_urine_pregnancy_test_strip.html

I have not seen them outside of hospitals, but it makes sense that they would sell these in packages of one at wall mart.

They are really cheap. Particularly when you buy multiples, they are cheap.

Oh, wow, you can get them on amazon. Here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AOMAOG

They work. I would recommend getting some if you are sexually active. If there is ever a scare, you can blow through 5 of these without worrying about how much they cost.

Also, with the way these strips work, they can detect some types of nasty tumors, so, there is that.

As you know, or you would not be asking the question, fertility and birth defects become more and more of an issue as time ticks by. I would not let a well-meaning GP have you give it a good try for a year before you start to do anything to evaluate your fertility. You very well may want to discuss this with a fertility specialist from the start - determine if there are issues and get them addressed rather than delay it another year spinning your wheels.

There are also some electronic means1 or 2 to monitor ovulation. Or urine strips to determine when you have an LH surge which should mark ovulation.

If you order the Wondfo OPKs on amazon, they really are affordable.

I'm going to third Taking Charge of Your Fertility and also the subreddit /r/tryingforababy has some great info.

I wish your doctor would have explained that to you more thoroughly because it takes a long time to get a handle on what this all means.

If you're still worried, ask for a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist for testing. This is expensive and so I wouldn't consider it the first course of action.

Basal Body Temperature

Spend at least one cycle taking your temperature with a basal body thermometer (they're more sensitive to slight temperature fluctuations) at the same exact time, every morning before you even get out of bed. It's very important that it's done upon waking without getting up for at least 3 hours prior.


Chart this temperature for a whole cycle (if you ovulate, it wouldn't be unusual to see the temperature spike several tenths of a degree around days 14, 15, or sometimes even 16. It should then stay up for two weeks (use the first day it spiked as ovulation day and you can predict your period should come exactly 14 to 15 days afterward.) Were you to get pregnant it would have been due to sex three days before up to one day after ovulation day. If you're pregnant, your temperature will stay up past the two week mark. Then you would want to take a pregnancy test.

Some women chart their Basal Body Temperature, or BBT, on paper, but many use FertilityFriend.com. It's free and extremely helpful in visualizing what your cycle is up to.


Ovulation Predictor Kits, or LH Surge Predicting

Your LH hormone surge is what tells your body to release an egg. Test with urine (preferably after not drinking water for two hours before you test, which sucks) with these - most women use them and they're cheap and effective. Did I mention cheap? The directions are on the packaging but the test line needs to be as dark or darker than the control line. The best time of day to test is anywhere from 11am to 3pm. That's when your surge should show up in urine.


Cervical Mucus

Another great way to see if you're ovulating is to monitor your cervical mucus. Here's a great website explanation of the different consistencies you should watch for. Basically, if it's super slippery, stretchy and wet/clear, like egg whites, it's go time. Think of it this way: if you were a little sperm, what would be easiest to swim through? The stuff that's already like semen. Wet, slippery, etc. Not dry, not like hand lotion, and definitely not sticky/pasty/thick.


Finally,

If none of these signs point to ovulation, then I would see a specialist. If you seem to ovulate but still aren't getting pregnant, it could be your tubes or your uterus creating an issue. For all else, the ladies at /r/tryingforababy are great with answering questions, too.

Welcome! However, I don't want you here ;) - we don't want to be here either, so I hope you're going to be okay and won't need to come back to this sometimes sad place. Good luck.



Edit: Also, the good news is your age - the sooner you learn what's going on, the better, because your body is still so young!

Try some ovulation tests - http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Step-Ovulation-Strips-50-Count/dp/B004IJHDN6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1335055459&sr=8-4

Having sex 95% of the month is meaningless (aside of the sex!). You have to make sure you are having sex at the right time. We tried for a year, just naturally, and nothing. First month using the strips - pregnant and now due in August. They let you know when shes about to ovulate. They are cheap too.

Hi there from a gal trying to conceive! Please pick up some of these ovulation test strips for your wife. I was tracking my "expected ovulation" days via an app and wasn't getting pregnant after having sex during the expected fertile week. I started using the test strips and it showed me that I was ovulating a week later than normal. Your wife may be in the same boat and ovulating early or late. The strips will show her the exact day of the month when her eggs are released and when you should be getting busy. Hope this month is the month that you get the good news!

Good luck to you! FYI, OPK tests can get speedy if you buy them from Walgreens, etc. amazon has a ton at a much better price. These get great reviews an are typically the ones I've seen used by the women here.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004IJHDN6

Yep. This is excellent advice. I've even been told that the dollar store variety are some of the most reliable around. (Although my quick search of google didn't yield any articles to back that claim, but I'm kind of lazy)

You can order a whole case of them from their website if you don't feel like going to the store.

I've also found that the same tests are 88 cents at WalMart. So you can save 22 cents on your pee tests.

OR for real bargain hunters, you can order a box of just the test strips from Amazon for the low, low price of 22 cents a test.

Always keep extra tests on hand! I suggest something like these - they're dead cheap, and if you don't trust one, you can take more without wasting 10-20$ over a freakout. :)

You can get pregnancy test strips really cheap on Amazon. I get these ones. Better than paying $10 for First Response anyway :P

Absolutely.

OP, here is a link to Clinical Guard test trips from amazon. 20 tests for $7.29 and 25 tests for $7.99. You'll be set for a while.

I use them as do my friends, never had an issue with them (apart from when I didn't follow the directions. almost had a heart attack that time) and they're great. Simple to use, easy to discard of, easy to read.

ClinicalGuard® HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Individually-Sealed, Pack of 20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zggzCb9E95EKJ

I'm dealing with this as well, but for me I'm always hopeful I'll be pregnant. I have confirmed endo, and I've been dealing with the symptoms for 20 years, but I still get surprised at how much my pre-period issues can line up with early pregnancy indicators.

I'm surprised they didn't automatically give you a pregnancy test at the Gyn's office. I can be on my period and they'll still do it.

One thing that has helped me with the scares is getting a huge pack of test strips so that I can do one (or more) a day without feeling like I'm throwing money away. Amazon has some really good deals. (Don't forget to have plastic cups on hand too!)

Also, have you tried a period tracker app? I am currently trying both Clue and My Calendar, to see which I prefer. They can help you track symptoms as well as your period, so you can see patterns. My Calendar also tracks temperature, which is a great indicator of different stages of your cycle.

I hate when people comment on anything I buy. I try to do self checkout whenever possible, but HPTs come wrapped in non-theft plastic that requires human intervention.

I bought these for my testing compulsion until I was too far along and the line got lighter again from the hook effect.

Felt exactly like period cramps for me, they just kept lasting on and on and I kept expecting my period to come and it just didn’t. After a week of that I took a test and it was negative. It continued for another week and then I tested again and it was positive.

Honestly pregnancy symptoms and PMS symptoms can be practically identical. The only way to know for sure is to pee on a stick.

Directly after your period ends can be a safe time for many people, but for those with shorter cycles 27 days and under it can also be the beginning of the fertile window for many women. So it’s doubtful you’d be able to predict it one way or the other at this time. I would suggest getting some pregnancy tests from the dollar store or order on amazon and test weekly until you get a positive or your period comes just to give you peace of mind.

(Amazon 25 pack for $8 ClinicalGuard® HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Individually-Sealed, Pack of 25) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT30C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oaKkDbM2EQ3JC)

I totally get it. I’m in Texas and it’s not super easy here either (but not NEARLY as restrictive as these morons are trying to make it now). There’s a ridiculously slim chance I’ll get pregnant again, but I still take a test every 3ish weeks, just in case. Especially because I skip my sugar pills to avoid having a period.
try these. 25 for under $10 I used them when actually TRYING to conceive and got a positive at like 9 days post ovulation, 4 days before I even missed a period. They’re what most doctors offices use.

I saw this in another thread recently and it's pretty awesome: https://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard®-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B007VT30C8

"Pee stick" pregnancy tests work just fine, even at the dollar store. They use the same testing method as the clinical strips above (react to presence of hormone).

With any of these tests, there's basically no such thing as a false positive. If it's positive, you are definitely pregnant. If you get a negative result, you will want to wait a few days and test again - if you still haven't gotten your period. Also make sure you get plenty of urine on the stick to minimize the chances of false negative.

I'm not sure how it is in Canada, but if you do end up needing an abortion, most likely you will still need to have a test done with a positive result at the doctor's office. You may also be required to confirm the pregnancy with an ultrasound (the trans-vaginal kind; unfortunately the over-the-belly type isn't accurate enough in the early weeks of pregnancy).

You can do all of this at Planned Parenthood if you have anything like that up there. If you absolutely have no other options and are close enough to the border, I'm pretty sure PP doesn't have citizenship requirements. But you would probably want to call them to make sure. They generally provide services based on a sliding scale and should be able to give you a quote over the phone with your income information. I don't know for sure if they're able to provide services non-residents but at the very least, they won't judge you for calling and asking.

I'm really sorry to hear that your doctor is like that. I imagine it's also not that easy to switch providers. Best of luck to you and let us know if you need to talk or need any more advice.

I get these OPKs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G5WGNVQ and these pregnancy tests: https://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard®-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B007VT3BUE
The pregnancy tests are a little more expensive for the 50 pack right now, but the prices vary. It looks like the 100 pack is less than 0.20/test!

You can get 25 test strips via Amazon Prime for $8.

https://www.amazon.com/AccuMed-Pregnancy-25-Count-Individually-Detection/dp/B071YNWRPP/ref=zg_bs_3762561_7/147-6422484-6892829?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0GN66S6SH132G46CB162

Go on Amazon and buy some Wondfo test strips. They should be blue.

Wondfo Combo Ovulation and Pregnancy Tests (50 LH + 20 HCG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RY8UBNC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DJ89AbTFS27RY

I bought those strips too! It’s like $7 for 25 instead of $7 for 2 in store.

Edit: here they are. It was positive at 4 weeks for me so I trust them.

Amazon has bulk packs shipped to your door.

$16.5 for 50 ovulation strips and 20 pregnancy strips.

We only use the ovulation tests to pinpoint probable ovulation ie not every day.

Another fun fact is most ovulation test strips will show positive if you are pregnant. They can act as a simple giggle test in a pinch.

I bought this kit
https://www.amazon.ca/Easy-Home-Ovulation-Pregnancy-Predictor/dp/B00DOJG6RA

And got pregnant my first cycle trying. That unfortunately ended in a miscarriage at 5 weeks, but i used the strips again 2 weeks later and was got pregnant again right away. They worked great for us

I feel you on this one! Im not sure if I missed my surge this month on OPKs or Im just not ovulating for whatever reason. So now Im just sitting here waiting for AF to show up (not due for another 10-11 days) and if I dont get a BFP this month I need to step it up a couple of notches TTC.


btw, to save your wallet these are the ovulation strips I bought. I can use 2 a day from CD 10 to 30 (my cycle is around 30 days so I could go all out if I wanted to) if I wanted to without using them all and the best part is they come with 20 pregnancy strips which means you could use 1 each day of your TWW and still have a bunch left over if you wanted to go all out.

Also, Im pretty sure most pregnancy tests (including the strips I sent you) require 20-25 mIU of HCG per sample to turn positive where as digital tests require something around 50 mIU of HCG to be positive. That is why youll see people's tests gradually get darker or not turn positive until closer to AF or even after AF depending on the amount of HCG in their system. Its also why a lot of times companies that make pregnancy tests will sell a "confirmation pack". Im pretty sure both clearblue and first response do. Its a double pack of one regular line test and one digital. I'm pretty sure they recommend you use it after a missed period or after the regular line test.

But other than that I know EXACTLY what you mean because I also feel like Im taking crazy pills

And a heads up, we figured it would take 3-6 months to get pregnant. Figured we had some time to finish home renovations and get our savings topped off...

First try, first cycle, instantly knocked up. So you never know if it's gonna take longer or less time than you think, and you want to be prepared for every eventuality.

These are the most accurate, least expensive pregnancy tests out there. You're gonna need a lot of those.

This isn't true. Actually, I would guess that the majority of pregnancy tests are purchased by people who are trying to get pregnant.

Check the reviews on here: Easy@Home 25 Pregnancy (HCG) Urine Test Strips, 25 HCG Tests

It's hard to say when would be the best time to take it without knowing more details about your cycle, but that might not be much help if it's very irregular. I suggest you take a test now, but even if it's negative, continue taking tests every 2-3 days until you get your period. (And if that doesn't happen after a few weeks, make a doctor's appointment.) Get a pack of cheap tests, like these from Amazon or some from the dollar store. They're just as effective as the expensive ones. And keep the extras in your bathroom for peace of mind if something similar happens in the future.

I'm assuming you're in the states

Temping is good to give you an idea of when you ovulate, that way you can start using OPKs the days leading up to it. So if by temping you notice a pattern where you usually ovulate on CD15, then you start using OPKs starting on CD11 (for example). The line will get darker as you get closer to O, so that's technically when you should do it.

Temping for a few months beforehand is good to give you an idea of when you O and such, that way you're not going crazy using OPKs. I used these with great success using first morning's pee.

I just order mine in bulk on amazon, I like these Pregmate ones.

For future reference...

I keep tests on hand. I have an IUD, but I am irregular, so I test when I'm missing it.

These are the ones that I bought. They haven't been wrong yet!

Usual testing time is 10 days after your missed period, however the sensitivity of the test will vary by brand. Some companies sell esrly tests but they can be very expensive.

Buy a few and test again in a week and again a week after if you still havent had a period.

I recommend getting these tests. Big pack of tests for reasonably cheap, only thing is you have to pee in a cup & dip them.
https://www.amazon.com/AccuMed-Pregnancy-25-Count-Individually-Detection/dp/B071YNWRPP

I love this comment. Lol.

Last cycle I had 6 empty circles, 4 flashing smileys, and then the solid smiley. Considering the fact that sperm can live for 5 days inside you, I'd say that was a pretty good indicator for me. (even though I didn't actually get pregnant but whatever)

But jeez, $35 for 20 sticks!? And that won't even cover 2 full cycles for me, because my cycles were longer than I predicted and I had a lot of empty circles. Meanwhile, there's this mountain of tests for $20 on Amazon, but... I kind of like the smiley faces and the early calls for pot roast... hmm...

Welcome to the sub!

I got two from CVS (dog ate the first one -_-) for $7-$9 and they worked just fine. No need to wait for an online order if you have a CVS nearby.

As far as the ovulation tests, I'd recommend this kit from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Combo-Ovulation-Pregnancy-Strips/dp/B00RY8UBNC

When you order, make sure to check the shipper against this list of authorized retailers so you don't get duds: https://community.babycenter.com/post/a55235887/fyi-_authorized_wondfo_sellersdistributors

I'm from Canada too and I use these from Amazon.

I'm using these strips currently, I wasn't really sure what was good or not. The thing that is confusing is that it says to test in the afternoon and not your FMU. But, the way my sleep schedule is:

5ish PM, wake up, pee, etc

9PM-8AM work, get home, pee

go to sleep around 9 AM and repeat

So I've been testing around 8 AM when I get home, but I'm not sure if that would be the correct time or not. I've just been testing that one time, should I try to increase to maybe once before I go to work and then again in the morning when I get home?

Hi, two months of trying isn't enough to start worrying about infertility. Doctors usually start asking questions after 6 months to a year of trying. I'm 30 and I also waited until I was financially ready to start a family. I also never thought about having kids when I was younger but I thank god I realized I wanted a family! I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant (high risk pregnancy due to a short cervix). Anyway, I used these products to know exactly when I was ovulating + to help me with lubrication since I tend to be stressed/dry during sex:

- Pre-Seed Fertility Friendly Personal Lubricant

- Easy@Home 50 Ovulation & 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Kit

I was lucky and got pregnant on our first try. Give it a shot and don't worry too much about your age or whatever else the other women are doing.

Like /u/hockeywife, I can't advise on your specific situation, but I can tell you about me!

We're planning to start TTC in April too, so I came off the pill at the end of my January pack. I immediately started temping and I'm in the middle of my second cycle.

Personally, I am so glad I did it this way! I've been able to get into the habit of temping while it "doesn't matter" and I'll have a much better idea of timing when we do start.

I highly recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility {link}, buying a BBT thermometer (I use the Mabis {link} one) and using FertilityFriend {link} to track your temperature and CM.

As I'm 34 years old and a bit of a crazy organiser, I also bought The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant {link} and a Clearblue Fertility Monitor {link}. I thought using the monitor now would be overkill (and a waste of money - the sticks are expensive!), but again, I'm glad I started now. The first month is well-known for showing a "high" reading for a long time, as the monitor is figuring out what's normal for the user. I'm so glad that I'll have it all "warmed up" by the time that I really need to know what's happening.

And I second /u/hockeywife's comment about sex drive - it is MUCH more difficult to keep sex protected when you're off hormonal birth control. My troll body is like "well, what harm can it do?" every day in my fertile period :D

Yup I get a combo pack with the pregnancy tests so that I can pee on those too ;) http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Combo-Ovulation-Pregnancy-Strips/dp/B00RY8UBNC

Stores do....but they can get expensive! I ended up ordering the test strips off Amazon. You end up using so much it's better to buy the strips that you pee in a cup and then dip! They sell combined pregnancy tests/ovulation strips...this is the one I got https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DOJG6RA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481161728&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+%40+home&pi=SX200_QL4
This amount lasted me three months trying! The lh is the ovulation test, hgc is pregnancy. The pregnancy tests are also super sensitive so you can test earlier than some of the more expensive tests. Feel free to message me if you want more info! It can be overwhelming, and in totally type a, but we were successful on cycle 3 of trying, so I'm more than willing to share what worked for us! I had a friend talk me through her process and I found it so helpful!

I used this the second go around.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DOJG6RA/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I didn’t want to take longer than necessary.

I personally feel that using a lube meant for fertility didn’t help us. We stopped using it after 2 months. It can be hard to get things going down their when it feels like you are slammed at work, with home chores and then trying for a baby. I say if you need it, use it... but if you don’t get pregnant after a few months just go for saliva :) haha.

First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test, 3 Count (Packaging & Test Design May Vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000052XHI?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I have a suggestion for you here. Might wanna check into it.

You want something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B0002YIQEQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=wondfo&qid=1566784300&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I was on the pill for about five years straight. I stopped taking them mid-June and conceived by mid-October. My ovulation cycles were a mess and I didn't get a period for three straight months before I became pregnant. I would recommend buying a package of WondFo pregnancy tests (http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ). They are cheap and in my experience very accurate. I had no symptoms besides a missed period so these kept me sane every couple of weeks.

Here you go!

Here you go.

I bought a bunch of these while trying to conceive. I could take them whenever I wanted.

Implantation bleeding is generally very rare. If it does occur, usually it is more like spotting, not a full blown period. Also, implantation would most likely occur at the earliest a week before your next regular period.

I think it's just an irregular cycle - probably anovulatory. Most women have at least one a year.

If your period stops abruptly or just to have peace of mind, take a test after your regular period would have been due.

FWIW, I highly recommend keeping these pregnancy tests on hand even if you're practicing safe sex, but especially if you're not on birth control. You get 25 for $6 and the peace of mind is priceless.

iirc these are the ones I had ordered, and I had no issues with them, but to make sure, if you get a positive, I would confirm with a storebought First Response Early Response. :)

You can get pretty cheap pregnancy tests online. If it would set your mind at ease, order some.

If you're the type who is paranoid about being pregnant (I totally get it- I am too) I recommend buying pregnancy test strips in bulk and keeping them on hand. Here is what I get, it's 25 strips for $12 and they work just as well as the store bought tests. https://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ?th=1

$12 dollars is a great price for peace of mind in my opinion and I love that they ship to my house. I look much younger than I actually am and I always feel uneasy buying pregnancy tests in stores, like the cashiers might judge me. Buying the strips in bulk so they're there whenever I get paranoid has really helped me a lot with the "am I or am I not" anxiety.

When in doubt take a test. I have the IUD so the chances of me getting pregnant are pretty slim but I still test occasionally if I am feeling paranoid. I buy internet cheapies in bulk for times like this. While it's unlikely that you're pregnant if it will soothe your mind then you should take a test.

These are the ones I got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YIQEQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

What about a diaphragm-cervical cap? I don't know much about them besides I think you have to get them specially fitted... might have to use them in conjunction with spermicide though; not sure.

I've also heard of fertility tracking devices on this sub (like the ladycomp--seems kind of expensive though and would also take a fair amount of self control/responsibility.

Otherwise, good on you for taking a stand against unprotected sex!

There is a way to track irregular cycles. As a disclaimer, I've never done it, but many couples do it when they're trying to conceive, but there are couples that do it when they're trying not to get pregnant and they either use condoms or don't have sex during fertile times.

The more involved ways are that you need to do a few things.

1. Take your basal body temp daily, every morning at the same time. When your temp rises, it means you're ovulating.
   
   
2. Check the position of your cervix daily. Soft and low means ovulating.
   
   
3. Check your cervical mucus daily. Thick means not ovulating, thin means fertile.
   
   Many women recommend the book/website Taking Charge of your Fertility. Since the Copper IUD doesn't affect your cycle, you can track this while it's in place if you choose this route. While you begin to get the hang of it, use condoms.
   
   There's also a device that's around $500 called a LadyComp that has an alarm and a thermometer that will do the temp logging for you, and it will have green (non-fertile), yellow (danger zone) and red (use condoms FOR SURE) days. They're usually used for couples who want kids, but again, you can use it if you are scared of spending $800 on an IUD that may expel again.
   
   As far as Apps- I've heard of and used Eve by Glow and it allows you to track symptoms, if you've had sex (with or without a condom), and your discharge, but it doesn't really have support for logging your basal body temp, and I've heard some women say that the ovulation dates that the app predicts are off.
   
   It looks like Bedsider has a really good breakdown on how to combine apps with other tracking to optimize protection.

Welcome! At 2 months, you have absolutely no reason to worry that you won't be able to do this. It can take a healthy couple up to a full year to conceive.

Do you temp? Use OPKs? My suggestions:

Buy and read Taking Charge of your Fertility. This is going to show you things about your body that you never knew. It really is eye opening.

Buy a Basal Body Thermometer. You can take your temperature vaginally or orally, as long as you do it the same way every day. You want to take your temperature after at least 3 hours of solid sleep. Don't get up, don't move around. Wake up to your alarm, take the temp and go back to sleep. I believe the one I linked has a 'history' so you can read it in the morning.

Enter your temperature daily in Fertility Friend This is free and will help you track your ovulation. You should have a drastic dip and then a pretty drastic rise. This indicates that you have in fact ovulated.

Temping is only good in retrospect. You can see that you have ovulated, not that you are going to. That's where [Ovulation Predictor Kids] (http://www.amazon.com/Combo-Ovulation-Pregnancy-Test-Strips/dp/B001E1Y1X6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404993367&sr=8-3&keywords=wondfo) come in handy. You use these in the afternoon (when most women will have a surge of Lutenizing (sp?) Hormone. This indicates that you are gearing up to ovulate. And yes, it's true that it's possible that you don't ovulate every time you surge. That's why you want to temp to actually confirm it.

Combining these 3 things will give you a really clear picture of what's going on each cycle. For some women, it can really stress them out. For me, it makes me feel empowered. Let me know if you have any more questions!

To answer your question: Once you stop the provera, you'll get your period within 7-14 days (a lot get it faster though). [ok, technically it's a withdrawl bleed, not a period, but for this case it's the same]

On your first full day of flow, count that as CD1. The monitor should recommend what day to start using it. You can look it up online i'm sure.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility and the Impatient Women's Guide to Getting Pregnant. These will help you understand better what's going on.

Also with PCOS, I highly, highly recommend temping (TCOYF is the bible for temping). With long, unpredictable cycles and inconsistent ovulation, it's the only thing that can confirm you ovulated - with PCOS, unfortunately the monitor may give false positives (you have a LH surge, but don't actually release an egg).


Btw, even with the monitor, you might invest in some cheap OPKs - with 50+ day cycles, i've been going through 50+ OPKs in a month and I know those fertility sticks are expensive. Wondfos are the brand most recommended. These are the ones I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E1Y1X6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.


Good luck with everything! You'll find a wealth of knowledge on this sub!

Good luck! I'm so jealous of people who say "we're trying for a baby" then next month, bam! These are the ones I used- http://www.amazon.com/Combo-pack-Ovulation-tests-Pregnancy/dp/B001FYLNVU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1407325952&sr=8-4&keywords=ovulation+test
Way cheaper than the packs you can find in stores, and good for a few months of regular testing. Actually, I should check the expiration on mine and maybe give them away on r/tryingforababy since um...don't need them at the moment and don't plan to add a second baby right to the family right away.

Not what you were asking... but have you looked into getting Wondfos on Amazon? I was able to get a combo pack of Wondfo OPKs and HPTs for really cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Combo-Ovulation-Pregnancy-Strips/dp/B001FYLNVU

For what it's worth, you may consider looking at the ovulation test kits that are sold. These are kits from the people who make pregnancy test kits that indicate when a woman is ovulating. Similar to a pregnancy test kit, it looks for certain hormones in urine. Obviously check with your doctor to see if it would still be accurate with your wife's treatments but it may be another option when the other signs aren't visible.

Here's one from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Digital-Ovulation-Test-Count/dp/B002VLYAOI/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1412357210&sr=1-1&keywords=ovulation+test

this is the clearblue i am using: https://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Digital-Ovulation-Test-Tests/dp/B002VLYAOI

another comment says that you cannot use them as a one-off, i'm not sure if this is the monitor you mentioned? my confusion is mostly stemming from the CB

I prefer Clinical Guard to Wondfo test strips. You can purchase them here:

ClinicalGuard 40 Ovulation Test Strips & 10 Pregnancy Test Strips Combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009G4JCP0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XY5OCbP1PHHDW

Once you see the lines getting darker, use a digital test to get an 100% confirmation that you are ovulating. These are more expensive, so you only want to use them sparingly once you are getting closer to your ovulation date to confirm its time to get busy!

Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VLYAOI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

So we use this one. 20 strips last us 3-4 months so around $8-10 per month. Granted we use that in addition to checking her mucus just as a way to double check ourselves so we don't rely solely on that.

Someone posted this in 2X and I wanted to share it with this community as I think it would be a cheap and easy way to distribute pregnancy tests to those who can't obtain them.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1311182944&sr=8-4

Additionally, my boyfriend bought two boxes of 36 condoms on ebay just a few weeks ago for about $10 shipped so that may also be a cheap continuous source for donating supplies.


EDIT: Just did some digging and that link was actually submitted but the lovely creator of this subreddit!

Morning after pill is most effective if it's taken as soon as possible, but it's not really a form of birth control, and some women have adverse reactions to it. If you're really concerned that condoms aren't enough, look into the pill or another form of contraception.

Also, if you (or she) are prone to anxiety about it and anticipate using a lot of pregnancy tests (I went through a really paranoid time and went through a lot) I would suggest looking into amazon for something like this to save money.

As a warning, the morning after pill is only effective for women under 165 pound, and the only way to confirm if you are pregnant is to start taking pregnancy tests. Do yourself a favor and get a bulk pack of inexpensive early detection pregnancy tests and take a test every month. For $0.40/month, you can get some peace of mind, or at least very early detection so that you can assess your options. The tests from the dollar store are just as effective as the fancy ones from the drug store, by the way.

Period trackers are only really guessing info based on what you report, so they can't know for sure if you are ovulating, obviously. Women often report bleeding in early pregnancy, and throughout their pregnancies, so your period isn't necessarily a sure sign.

If you are going to continue to have unprotected sex, perhaps birth control is right for you. Effective birth control and regular testing will go a long way toward relieving your anxiety.

Here they are! I've heard they can come up with some false positives, but when you have 50 for that cheap, it's not really a big deal to take another one. One of my roommates in college had a pack of these, we all used them at one point or another. Only thing is that they are a dip-stick method, not a pee-on method, which is actually handy and cleaner!

Ooops, they were more expensive than I thought they were. [$19 for 50] (http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1374374228&sr=8-3&keywords=pregnancy+test). Still better than $1 each, but not as cheap as I thought :(

Wondfo pregnancy test strips!

The negative pregnancy test isn't conclusive because it's a bit early. Blood tests are best bet.

Because you only rely on the pull-out method, I recommend this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AOMAOG/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They're cheap and work well. I like having them on hand just in case I'm getting panicky about a late period.

I think the next step of conception would be tracking if and when you do ovulate. A lot of the ladies here chart various items such as BBT and Cervical mucus, although it can be as simple as using Ovulation Prediction Kits.

As far as your fears of infertility due to medical issues, I think it would be important for you to talk with your OB about your intentions to get pregnant. They would know best about your body's health and capability, in addition to recommending the best courses of treatment if necessary.

Also, if you just want to talk, vent, or yell about fertility, pregnancy, or really anything, then jump into the chat we have setup. You can also find a link to the chat in the sidebar as well as up at the top of the page.

You can test to see if you are ovulating with these. I'm not sure if it would tell you, but they test for a specific hormone so I think it would work. Then you can know a little better when pmdd would hit. you could probably track it with a period tracker app like clue too.

If you are thinking of going the NFP route, you can buy these ovulation test strips cheap at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Step-Ovulation-Strips-50-Count/dp/B004IJHDN6/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1372703244&sr=1-5

They are mostly used by people trying to get pregnant, but I don't see why they wouldn't be helpful for trying to avoid pregnancy. This way, you will know with a great more deal of accuracy if you are ovulating or not. And they're cheap!

I went through the same problems you did trying various methods of BC. I finally settled on the IUD and that's worked amazingly well for me, but understand it isn't for everyone.

Good luck!

I'm new at this, too, but as I understand it... you should use them 2-3 times a day (preferably afternoon & evening, the levels are higher then) until you figure out the best time of day. Then do 'em daily until you see the patterns!

As far as I know, it's usually something like no line if you're nowhere near ovulating, then faint lines that get darker as you get closer to O, super-dark during O, and back to faint and then nada as you're post-O. However, again, I'm new and if I'm totally bass-ackwards, I hope somebody corrects me. =)

And FYI, Amazon sells the cheapies! http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Step-Ovulation-Strips-50-Count/dp/B004IJHDN6/

They have pregnancy tests, too - just check for the Wondfo brand. I've had good luck with them, and I don't feel guilty if I waste one... but hey, if you're trying to figure out how your body is working, that's not wasteful! =)

If only there were some kind of test...

You can also buy http://www.amazon.com/babi-Urine-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count/dp/B005E90G4W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1394183743&sr=8-10&keywords=pregnancy+test

So cheap!

If you have a dollar store nearby (dollar tree, 99 cent store), or can take a look on Amazon, their pregnancy tests are very good, accurate, and low cost. I used them (Dollar Tree tests) for my pregnancy and 6 tests all showed the same result. Many other online resources will cite the same regarding how well the dollar tree tests are.

Example: $7/25 strips if you have prime or know someone with it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E90G4W/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_peVDwb2RAQ8W6

I saw on this sub, a recommendation for someone in a similar predicament as you, to check out /r/almosthomeless , perhaps it might help you.

Good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005E90G4W
That link is the very same product I ordered.

NTA You don’t even have to ask her. Just do one, get the results and go from there.

If you ask her and the kid IS yours then you just stirred up a mess of drama over nothing.

If you send it off without mentioning it to her and the results come back that’s he’s NOT yours, then it doesn’t matter if she freaks out, you’ve got hard evidence.

https://www.amazon.com/STK-Paternity-Test-Kit-Fees/dp/B005Y34OKA

$100 isn’t a lot to pay for your peace of mind.

They have seriously saved my sanity! I believe the ones I have are the Clinical Guard brand, this one.

It is scary! But this does not prove you are pregnant. Without a test, you are getting worked up and worrying yourself over potentially nothing. The mind if very powerful.

Those symptoms are also associated with other things as well as pregnancy. You always have a linea nigra. And usually it does not get darker until around the 23rd week of pregnancy. Your hormones are unlikely high enough for that to happen now.

Take it one step at a time.

Take a test asap. You can get a test at the dollar store. Amazon has them on prime. You might be able to get them same day.

Then, once you know the real answer, you can make a plan. Come back here and post and people can help from there. Planned Parenthood is a great resource if you don't have a lot of money. Your insurance might cover some of it, but PP can help you with that.

If you have to sell some things and borrow some money. A baby is way more expensive than an abortion. If you are pregnant, you will have to do what it takes to find a solution for yourself.

Be easy on yourself. Many of us have been there, and you will be ok. You are in my thoughts.

And not that you asked, but you might want to consider an IUD. It's a more reliable option than other forms of birth control. It might give you some peace of mind.

Sure, I got these: ClinicalGuard® HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Individually-Sealed, Pack of 20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_tMOq4Yb5XueZk

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DL9QDbPSP6F10

Also, there is nothing at all wrong with having an abortion. Or a salad.

They are the ones I bought!

ClinicalGuard® HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Individually-Sealed, Pack of 20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_yuNkybKMDXVJ2

A lot of the times, they take the $1 test, put it in a fancy piece of plastic, then add a bunch of marketing/overhead and margin (profit) to it, then sell it for way more.

You can buy a 20 pack of test strips like these for $7.50 that work great.

​

Yes, but mine looked very different from yours. Here's my post from when I got my BFP. The LH strips are wondfos but the HCG strips are CGs.

These are the Clinical Guard strips I purchased from Amazon, seller was ClinicalGuard too.

[ClinicalGuard] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT30C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_r7dLAbGKA0QKH) is the shit. Right up there with FRER, I got two positives at 10DPO on them.

No need to spend $1 per test. There are quite a few cheaper ones on Amazon. For example this is the kind I bought, 25 tests at $8. Pretty sure I won't use all of them before they expire, but even so they're cheaper on average.

FRER will def show something if you're pregnant. For future attempts, try these they work well and are easy to read and best of all, super cheap.

When I google and match the package to what Amazon offers, says they're sensitivity of 25miu (so a normal 'cheapie' strength, but not quite FRER which picks up on 12miu)

And yes looks positive! :)

Er, actually, they are cheap if you get them in bulk. (50-pack, 60.)

And yes, there's very little difference; they're FDA-regulated. The main thing is that some are a little bit more sensitive, which can give you a few more days warning, but also more false alarms.

You can also get combo packs of ovulation and pregnancy detection, but some people think that takes some of the fun out of it.

Early pregnancy symptoms (up to about 8 weeks) are from progesterone—the same hormone that brings on your period. So you cannot guess pregnancy based on early symptoms.

Get some cheap pregnancy test strips from Amazon and test with your first pee everyday until your period comes or you get a positive.

on amazon you can buy a jumbo pack of cheap pregnancy tests. I like these. So really, with pregnancy tests so cheap, there's no reason not to test.

I bought these

http://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard%C2%AE-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B007VT3BUE?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

This is the one that I have: https://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Ovulation-Predictor-Featuring-Packaging/dp/B00AOJ5R8W/ref=sr_1_4?crid=20ES6WHATG8Q9&keywords=clear+blue+digital+ovulation+tests&qid=1571773342&sprefix=clear+blue+%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-4

I bought mine at Walmart, but it's the same one. As far as I know, you can't just buy the refill sticks. You have to by the whole kit each time.

I get them from Amazon, but I'm sure you can find a better deal somewhere. They are pricey for something you put pee on, but I think they're worth it.

You can use the old monitor with new sticks when you run out. Then old sticks with a new monitor. So, a box can last 2 to 3 cycles depending.

You say it's the one with just the sticks, do you mean this one?

Okay so I can’t find the stuff I read before (derp) but on the amazon reviews there’s someone that called and got the explanation, and there’s others who were getting husbands pee/tap water and getting high results because of the programming of it. I’ll try again to find the stuff later but for now: link

That's really expensive. Try Amazon, you will get 20 tests for $40.

I know I've seen this answer somewhere on TFAB, but for the life of me...I cannot find it!

I've been using the CBAD OPK for 2 cycles. I know I need to buy it again so I can have more strips for this cycle, but what I'm not sure about is using the new plastic test holder.

Do I keep using the one I currently have (with the new strips), or use the holder that comes in the new box I just ordered? Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AOJ5R8W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's digital, and it gives you the two peak high fertility days, and the surrounding high days

If this isn't your month, you should invest in amazon cheapies. This is what I use. :) That way I didn't feel terrible about all the testing when I finally got a positive!

Because you don't pee on a stick for what most people here are doing.


For many types of pregnancy tests, to determine if you're pregnant or not, you have a stick and you pee on it. Most of the tests you see on TV and that are the easiest to grab at the store are like this.


But most of us on this sub aren't talking about pregnancy tests all the time, and this post isn't about pee cups for pregnancy tests. Nah, we're talking about ovulation predictor kit tests, which tell you if you're ovulating or not. Ovulation happens once a month (hopefully) and means that your egg is released and is ready for sperm to come and attach to it, making a baby. It's a bit tricky to know exactly when you're ovulating, especially if you just started checking for signs of it. But there are reliable and proven signs, including fluid or discharge that has a stretchy, egg-white consistency (called egg white cervical mucus or EWCW), a slight drop in your body temperature, and a surge in a hormone called the luteinizing hormone, or LH. You can check if there was a surge in LH from at-home urine tests. If you're trying really hard to have a baby, it's super important to know if you're ovulating or not, and so most of us on this subreddit are taking these little tests daily or twice-daily for a week or two each month.


For ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), it's not a stick that you directly pee on, it's a strip that you dip into a small amount of urine for 5 seconds. Here is the brand of ovulation test strips that I use. Here is information and instructions for this type of test.


So, you need a little cup. And I was wondering what kind of cups we all used and if or how they got cleaned. And I got my answers! And that is the very, very long response to your question!

Not necessarily. These ones gave me a + 6 days after ovulating.

Best of luck. Might as well test and put it to rest, right?

Different tests have different levels of sensitivity. These FRERs have great sensitivity (or at least they did for me, despite some of those reviews...) so I'd try one of those to make sure! Good luck, I know how frustrating TTC can be, especially with irregular cycles

This one says 6 days

https://www.amazon.com/First-Response-Result-Pregnancy-Packaging/dp/B000052XHI

The accuracy percentage is slightly less the earlier u try, so think like 90% six days prior, 95% three days prior, 99% one day prior, etc. But overall very accurate.

I'm currently pregnant with my 2nd, we tried for our first for over a year, I've peed on more sticks than I'd care to remember lol

I've used clearblue before (link: http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Plus-Pregnancy-Test-Count/dp/B000NDS2CC/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1383003511&sr=8-7&keywords=pregnancy+test) and it said I wasn't pregnant which I wasn't so I guess it worked. Don't know how reliable it is though.

First response has better ratings on amazon though. (link: http://www.amazon.com/First-Response-Result-Pregnancy-Packaging/dp/B000052XHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383003511&sr=8-1&keywords=pregnancy+test)

Hope this helps a little! Both of those come with multiple tests, best to use first morning pee. I'm sure there are more reviews online if you want to do more research but tests seem to work pretty much the same.

these are the scariest thing to me atm.

I'm not saying a doctor can't or won't do a blood test, but they're seriously not done that often - especially not to confirm pregnancy. When you call your OB and tell them you're pregnant, you pee in a cup and they dip one of these to confirm your pregnancy. They only make sure HCG betas are doubling via blood test if you've previously had chemical pregnancies or miscarriages.

Order a crapload of pregnancy tests. Using this same one, I managed to get a faintly positive test 4 days before my expected period.

I think you should be okay. It's very uncommon for women to get pregnant while on an IUD. But for the peace of mind, you can do a pregnancy test once a month. Buy yourself some tests like these

https://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ/ref=sr_1_13_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1467499554&sr=8-13&keywords=pregnancy+test

These aren't any different that what I use in my clinic. So don't think for a second that OB/GYN clinics have better tests, they're all the same. Just do a test once a month and you should be set. If you seriously think you might be pregnant, wait 4-6 weeks after your missed period to take a pregnancy test. Sometimes if you're really early on, a test won't catch it due to not enough HCG in your urine reaching the limit for the test. Then, if you are, make that appointment. If not, it's okay. Sometimes our bodies do weird things. Even though the paragard lacks hormones, your body can still react to it differently than without it.

Hope this helps!

I'm also a woman paranoid about getting pregnant. I go through the same shit, every month. FWIW, my cramps and other symptoms vary pretty wildly from month to month. I also found that as I've gotten older, my symptoms have changed. Maybe you're also going through such a change.

FWIW, /r/birthcontrol has a link to some very cheap pregnancy tests on Amazon - I bought a pack of these just to always have them on hand so if I ever feel anxious at all, I can just take a test and not worry about it any more.

The best advice I have is to maybe try one of the phone apps that help you make sure you don't miss any pills. I just started using one and it's been great for the ease of mind that I'll be nagged if I somehow forget.

For all the ladies in here worried about late periods, get some Wonfo tests for super cheap and pee to your heart's (and your bank account's) content.

You can buy pregnancy test strips like these for a few cents each and get extra peace of mind.

[Here] (http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B0002YIQEQ) is a link to a really good deal on pregnancy tests courtesy of r/birthcontrol.

:( Well that doesn't sound good. We used these tests and it looks like there are a lot of review about bad tests. Hopefully we have bad tests but more reviews are complaining about false positives. We were going to try a different test. We are due to test on Father's day (Sunday) but my Wife scheduled an appointment for Monday.

I know this feeling. I have to test at least once a month due to PCOS- to make sure I can start my AF-inducing pills. Even when I know it's going to be negative, and I don't even WANT to test, I have to, and just deal with seeing that negative. Ugh.

May I recommend buying a box of Wondfos on Amazon? That way you're not running yourself into debt on the pricey drug store tests ;)

Well then I guess I shouldn’t have my two kids because I used these when trying to get pregnant. And they’re 8.95 for 25.

Wondfo Pregnancy Test Strips, 25-count medical https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YIQEQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_llFVDbVQJBVKV

They’re ridiculously accurate for early detection too and you can’t F them up by accidentally peeing on the result window.

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-25-count/dp/B0002YIQEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344610519&sr=8-1&keywords=pregnancy+test

I have those. Do one every other day just to be sure. They work great, much more economical than the store bought ones.

These are also great, though we did use dollar store tests when we'd run out of these without time to order them.

If that's what your pamphlet said, then you're good. I know it can be a bit nerve-wracking, but you're fine. Just try to relax and enjoy. If you're a worrier though you can keep a stash of pregnancy tests [quite cheap on amazon] and a plan b pill or two, that way you have it and you don't have to worry about getting it when you really do need it.

Damn, a pregnancy test should NOT cost $20! The pricey First Response ones I get come in a box of 3 and cost $12 for the pack. If this comes up again in the future and because you guys are only using the pull-out method, you may consider buying a bunch of these pee strips: http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Strips-25-count-medical/dp/B0002YIQEQ

They come out to about $0.60 each and you can always have a stash around if you're wondering. One of these cheap ones got me a super faint shadow of a positive at only 8 days past ovulation, which was 6 days before my period. That's how I knew to test with the more sensitive one the next day and got a clearer positive.

Oh, and those Clearblue digitals are really only good to use after your missed period, so that might be why you thought that. They measure for a higher level of hCG so they won't show pregnant as soon as some others.

I try to remind myself that it is possible to bleed when pregnant, so a withdrawal bleed (the fake period the placebo pills are supposed to give) isn't even the most reliable way of knowing you're not pregnant. A test is way more accurate. I do understand that anxiety though, and I feel it too.

These are the tests that a lot of girls here on reddit are fond of, myself included.

I don't have a Mirena, but my birth control pills give me really light periods that aren't too reassuring. So I bought a ton of these and do one every month:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002YIQEQ/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
(sorry about the mobile link - look up wondfo pregnancy tests)

The peace of mind is worth the small price! :)

Studies have shown that cheap-ass dollar store pregnancy tests are just as effective as the expensive name-brand ones. And if you want to be really frugal about it, buy the kind doctors use.

On Amazon. And I guess it's 25 for $10. :) I used these with my first and second pregnancy and have never had a problem. The only one that ever gave me the false positive was the $5 one.

Look into getting a lady-comp. I got sick of taking hormonal birth control and have switched to the rythem method and haven't looked back. They are pricey machines but they last ten years. Best decision I ever made.

Or, you can try the lady-comp, for just shy of $500:

> A computer programmed with data from 700,000 cycles, the Lady-Comp sensor captures Basal Body Temperature and then analyzes, learns, and predicts the users cycle with a 99.3% accuracy rate.

Haven't tried it myself, but friends have recommended it.

Tested again today, still no LH surge. I've never been regular, so I'm going to keep testing every day until it shows up! If you're using expensive drug store type opks, I would highly recommend these: http://www.amazon.com/Combo-40-Ovulation-10-Pregnancy/dp/B001FYLNVU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330829689&sr=8-1

There are no bells and whistles attached, but they're easy to use, and a super great deal. I don't feel guilty about testing twice a day (if I'm feeling antsy). Good luck to you!

My cycles have always been irregular, never had them go normal.

I will put in my 2 cents and tell you that if you really want to have a child, go visit your OB/GYN and tell them. If you've been trying to get pregnant for at least 3-4 months on your own, they will most likely prescribe you something like clomid to try. They may even give you progesterone to help regulate your cycles before you start clomid. Super cheap meds even without insurance.

Don't wait too much longer, it only gets harder for your body to have children as you approach 35. I started trying when I was 25, Ping ponging between doctors and a miscarriage later, I had my first when I was 31. Second when I was 33. I'd like to have one more, but I'm getting older and the last one was rough on my body.

My point is, if you end up needing more help like IUI or IVF, those things take time. Your 30 now, but you could easily be looking at having a child at 32.

Read the book Taking Control of Your Fertility. Really understand how the cycle works. The more you know about how it should work, how to predict and test your cycle, the better chance you will have of getting pregnant. Also, buy some cheap ovulation test kits. Test daily. Take your temp and chart it. FertilityFriend is very helpful.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FYLNVU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FYLNVU&linkCode=as2&tag=ttin04-20
This is the best I've found. They're really good sensitivity for the price, and they're way cheaper than anything off of the shelf that I've found. DH got them for me as a surprise because we were spending so much on OPK's and HPT's. Good luck and lots of baby dust(:

I too have heard bad things about clear blue digital advanced and it is rated poorly, however the original clearblue ovulation test (pink ones) have good reviews :)

http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Digital-Ovulation-Test-Count/dp/B002VLYAOI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I have these. They are pricey so I only used one when I was really confused (2 or 3 per cycle). A smiley face is much easier to read than a line.

I've noticed that every single brand of OPKs varies. If you take a peek at /r/TFABlineporn there are some ladies that POAS with various brands and they all give a somewhat different result - Like this.

It could also be possible (and sucky) that the Wondfo is a bad batch. Check the Lot# with the mnfr for reference.

I just purchased Clearblue Digital OPKs for this cycle, so I am hoping that I get a better picture of when I'm more fertile, plus I temp, so that helps narrow my O day down

Edit: I should also mention that you should check to see what the instructions are for each brand; when you should POAS. I think the Clearblues are FMU and the Wondfo are in the afternoon ( following that you have not any liquids for at least 4 hours before POA wondfo stick.)

My boyfriend and I are doing just the pill for BC. If it ever makes you nervous and you want to test to make sure, use these (not the seller):

http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1311182944&sr=8-4

I bought them and they work really well. I also absolutely love not using condoms. It feels really good to just have him inside me :)

50 pregnancy test strips for $9.17.

If you're trying to get pregnant, the same company makes ovulation tests for about the same price.

here!

I assume they have some kind of alcohol test strip in their cruiser. They are cheap (~$1/test) and easy to obtain for consumers, I assume law enforcement can get them for pennies on the retail dollar. (Similar to pregnancy tests, they're $10/shot at the drug store, $0.38/test on amazon, further cheaper at your Dr. office.)

You better hope to hell there is no alcohol residue in the bottle, especially if it's plastic, when they test it. It doesn't take much to activate a test. They aren't aiming for legal limit here, just the presence.

https://smile.amazon.com/UpSpring-Milkscreen-Accurate-Alcohol-Breast/dp/B0018LRDIM/

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AOMAOG/

This company gets my business for test strips: http://www.amazon.com/Ovulation-Prediction-Strips-Pregnancy-Test/dp/B0026995KO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331497038&sr=8-3

Also these: http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=pd_sim_hpc_4

I saw someone recommend getting a bunch of them for really cheap on amazon and apparently they're really reliable for a fraction of the price of a brand name test. I think it's this.

First of all, you're not stupid. You're stressed out!

Best way to know what's up - pee on a stick. =) (Seriously!) And if you haven't already seen them, Amazon sells them way cheaper than even the dollar store. (http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376517187&sr=8-2&keywords=wondfo+pregnancy+test)

That said, I have several friends who've recently gone off the pill, and every single one of them has said the first month or so is absolutely nuts. Hormones are regulating, mood swings all over, total pregnancy symptoms as your body adjusts to 'normal', whatever that is for you.

As far as breakthrough bleeding (fake period) or a regular period, that doesn't 100% mean you can't be pregnant. Plenty of women have periods all the way through pregnancy, which seems almost impossible, but it happens more than you might think.

And what you're describing (food aversion, bloat, fatigue, etc.) are pretty typical symptoms of hormone flux, PMS and pregnancy. You know, because nothing can be simple. :P But really, all of that can be totally normal while your body adjusts to the hormonal changes from stopping the pill.

I know what it feels like when I'm pregnant because I've been pregnant, but it's going to be totally different for everyone. My telltale signs may not even exist for other ladies, and vice versa.

So... don't feel stupid, and if you can't handle the stress, pee on a stick! =)

I bought these. http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381813064&sr=8-2&keywords=pregnancy+test

They work great. There are also smaller/cheaper bundles if you don't want to buy 50.

I hope I can get it at the local supermarket :O I'll keep an eye out, for sure.

I think I saw someone link to a huge pack (10-packs, 20-packs, 30-packs?) on Amazon, maybe that's worth a look if you're really paranoid. Ideally, I'd get a 3-pack every time, just to be sure, because what if the first test is sorta iffy, and then the second test is really clear and then you're torn between the two results, so you should take a third one just to be sure?! My wallet doesn't allow that, though.

Edit: Found a link of a pack of 50 tests for the curious

This might be relevant to your interests sometime.

I've been on a generic version of Lybrel for almost a year now. I had some break through bleeding for the first few months, but since then it's been perfect. No cramps, no bleeding, no pregnancy. No weight gain for me either. I absolutely love it and it's totally worth having to take a pill every day.

Like /u/CreakyTom mentioned, i would definitely recommend the bulk pregnancy tests. Link.

And just think of all the savings on tampons and pads!

50 pregnancy tests for $19.

Ovulation does tend to occur about 14 days into your cycle if you have a 28 day cycle, but there is a range and some women ovulate early. If you want to do an experiment, you can buy ovulation test kits at the drug store, or super cheap on Amazon.

So basically what you'll need to do is track your cycle. I use the smart phone app called "Fertility Friend." You take your temperature every morning when you wake up and record it in the app. The day after you ovulate, it rises at least 0.3 degrees and stays up for at least three days, confirming ovulation. Here's what my chart looked like last month. After a few months, you'll be (and the app will be) able to see a pattern--say, that you ovulate on cycle day 18, and you're fertile from cycle day 14 to 18. Then you know to avoid those days.

I also use Ovulation Predictor Test Strips to help me tell when I'm about to ovulate because for me, I need to be trapping my husband in the house at that time ;) It might be useful to you if you're avoiding pregnancy to know when you should use condoms or just avoid sex.

I definitely recommend this book: Taking Charge of Your Fertility as a total textbook. There are other signs/metrics you can track to corroborate your predictions about when you're fertile (like the consistency of your cervical fluid and the position of your cervix) but those are harder for me to explain--I let the professionals do it ;)

This has worked for me in the sense that I know, with absolute certainty, when I am going to ovulate every month (I am just not pregnant yet). Many many women in committed relationships use this method successfully to avoid pregnancy without involving hormones--it just takes about three months to really establish a pattern. Let me know if you have any questions!

We're at our first TTC cycle this month too! I also struggled with the basal temperature thing too. I found it easier to spend 20 bucks on a 50 pack ovulation pee test bundle on Amazon.
Good luck!

if you use natural family planning, make sure to use more than basal temperature (and make sure your sleep schedule is pretty regular or that measure is somewhat crap as well).

There are ovulation tests you can use too. They are more or less intended for those trying to conceive (TTC, get used to that abrev. if you go that route) but will assist in your purposes as well. They, like pregnancy tests can be pretty brutal in price unless you are shopping in bulk for just the strips. This is how I get my pregnancy tests too, btw, as I am on depo and test monthly since I don't have a period/withdrawal bleed.

WONDFO OPK kits on Amazon are cheap enough to feel like you aren't pissing money away. I see them posted now for 41 cents a strip - even cheaper than the dollar store. http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Step-Ovulation-Strips-50-Count/dp/B004IJHDN6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1382299669&sr=8-3&keywords=wondfo+OPK

Do you use ovulation prediction kits? I believe those should still work with a Mirena. You can get a pack of 50 Wondfo 's pretty cheap on Amazon. I am actually really glad I started tracking, it's helped me understand my body much better.

Amazon sells these in bulk for cheap.

But they also have tests at almost any drug store, in an easier read format but they're fewer tests for the money. Amazon sells bulk pregnancy tests too that are very similar!

It is totally possible to ovulate but not have a period. In a woman with 100% normal function, she'd ovulate somewhere near the middle of her cycle, conceive, and then not have the next period two weeks later. So, yeah. You could have gotten pregnant. I would go get a blood test ASAP. And, depending on your type of PCOS, I would recommend using ovulation tests for a month to see if you have significant fluctuations in your Lh levels. A significant spike would indicate ovulation. I use these to see if/when I will start ovulating (I don't currently, but I am on meds and dieting so that may change!) http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Step-Ovulation-Strips-50-Count/dp/B004IJHDN6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425582295&sr=8-1&keywords=wondfo+ovulation+tests Good luck, OP! And congrats - maybe? - on baby and your engagement!

These are Ovulation tests that test for Lutein Hormone (LH) which can help predict a forthcoming ovulation in the next 12-48 hours. It's not a guarantee or confirmation that you do ovulate - only temping can help confirm an ovulation. I use cheap Wondfo tests which you can order on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004IJHDN6

We're currently doing the Sperm Meets Egg Plan (SMEP) so that dark OPK means it's a BD fun filled weekend for me and the DH!

These Pregnancy Tests are going to be totally useless in my case. After 3.5 years of trying I doubt i'll just suddenly become pregnant. Anyway sometimes my cycle runs long and I get to anxiously stare at a test anyway.

Lorises rock. I kinda love slow lorises.

Read the description:

> Additional $129 lab fee required

That $26.88 thing is basically worthless. It is a scam.

Amazon has one with included lab fees for $100:

http://www.amazon.com/STK-PT01_A-Paternity-Test-Kit/dp/B005Y34OKA/

However if they were performing a lot more of them (per the OP's suggestion) the economies of scale might bring down the cost from $100. I think it is more the "mandatory" part which would be controversial.

http://www.amazon.com/STKs-Paternity-Test-Kit-INCLUDES/dp/B005Y34OKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375324178&sr=8-1&keywords=paternity+test

$99.99 to your door.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT2OQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_AzChAbQKSAJ5N

These are the ones I bought. Will buy again when I eventually run out.

I've been dating my boyfriend for a year and a half and we solely depend on my IUD. It was a little scary at first because it seems like a physical barrier would be better, but condoms just don't feel as good.

Birth control is never foolproof. I suppose using condoms is wiser but the 0.01% risk is worth taking, to me.

You can get cheap pregnancy tests on Amazon to help dispel any anxiety you might have, since hormonal IUDs do tend to stop your period. Ultimately it's your choice though!

I have an IUD (Mirena) and also double up by using condoms. And I still get nervous about the whole thing even living in California and not... oh idk.. Alabama

But that's about as good as you're gonna get it. What you can do to help you feel better, is use pregnancy tests once in a while. You can even buy the strips in bulk off of Amazon

When I was in college for engineering and working full time there was a point in time when I skipped THREE periods. Its close to finals and there is a lot going on Assuming you've been taking your birth control correctly and you said you also used a condom it is HIGHLY unlikely you are pregnant (unless he has the most stubborn sperm EVER).

Go ahead and test once a day over the next few days. If you need access to cheaper tests try Amazon. If you can't get it delivered to your house as you live with your parents ask a friend if you can send it to them.

Take your birth control as you normally would. Don't skip anything and don't go any faster than normal.

If you ARE actually pregnant you need to talk to your fiance and decide what you want to do. Either way make an appointment with a doctor or find your local Planned Parenthood and they will have the tools to help you figure out where to go from there.

I'm sorry that you're going through this, and I know its really scary. I was in your position years ago (sheltered household, self-taught sex-ed and all) and luckily I was not pregnant, but I went through the full gamut of figuring out what a positive test result would mean for my life. You've done everything in your power to prevent this and if you are pregnant it is not a reflection on you. Especially coming from a sheltered household it can be all too easy to let yourself feel like there is something wrong with you for "letting this happen" and that is just not true.

Breathe. Regardless of the outcome, you are going to be ok. You can handle whatever is ahead of you. You are strong and smart and you can handle this. And you're not alone. Talk to your fiance about this. You two are planning a life together, and life includes scary moments like this.

Edit: I just saw that you took a pregnancy test and it came back negative. Woohoo! Congratulations!

I just buy these $8 for 25 tests. No, they are not mid stream, but they are so much less expensive.

This sounds like an irrational level of anxiety for this (and there's nothing wrong with that, we all have our irrational fears that we can't do anything to stop). Would it maybe help if you tested regularly? I've seen that as a trick for people who have similar anxieties, they buy the cheap test strips in bulk (like these: https://www.amazon.com/ClinicalGuard®-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-Individually-Sealed/dp/B007VT30C8) and test monthly or even weekly. Although that tends to be more useful in places where abortion is a more viable option. It would still help regularly confirm that you're not pregnant, and between the pills and condoms, you're beyond relatively safe.

I don't have any good suggestions for you based on what information you've given(I found hormonal birth control to be hit or miss for me, now I use a copper IUD) but I suggest keeping something like this in your medicine cabinet for the occasional "oh shit" moment you might get. They're very accurate and much much cheaper than going to the drug store and getting one of the boxed tests.

thank you so, so much for your response — i'm also wondering why the hell i'm getting so slammed with anxiety and mood swings when it's been a month after i've taken it, same as you? i also get really nauseous when i'm anxious — super fun side effect, amirite. :/ hormones are no joke when it comes to how they affect mood.

if there's anything that will help ease your anxiety, take a pregnancy test. i have a giant pack of cheap ones i got on amazon that work well and are pretty highly rated.

thank you for your kind words and again, it's enormously reassuring that i'm not the only one going through this crap.

i hope you get your period soon! and i hope you ace your finals. you got this girl!

If you have Amazon Prime... ClinicalGuard® HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Individually-Sealed, Pack of 50) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VT3BUE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dvMTAbY179XKK
They are the easiest and cheapest and have helped reassure me. But maybe waiting and just trying to keep your mind off of it is best.

A couple of things. First, amazon offers pregnancy test strips way cheaper than drug stores. If you're the type of person to test often i highly recommend.

Second - If you're super excited about getting pregnant then it might be a good idea to distract yourself to lessen the pressure. Maybe take up a new healthy hobby to help prepare your body for all the changes? Or work on wedding stuff to distract yourself, I'm sure there's plenty to do :-)

The generic tests found at drugstores and even dollar stores are just as accurate if you've missed your period, and sometimes even manufactured by the same companies as the regular tests. Also, you can get a pack of 50 test strips on Amazon for $10. You dip them in a cup of your pee rather than peeing on a stick, but they work just fine and are WAY cheaper! $10 for 50 strips and $4 for disposable cups, and you've got the same cost as ONE brand-name test from a store!

I liked the clear blue digital advanced. You can get a 2 month pack for $40 on amazon , depending on how long your cycles are and how frequently you test (2x/day vs 1x/day).

I like them because they test for estrogen levels which increase before LH starts to surge. So your supposed to get some advanced warning of O.

I'm not 100% positive this is the one but I think it is: Clearblue Ovulation Test.

Warning: they are really f'ing expensive if you go a few months.

I use Clear Blue as well. These to be particular. http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Advanced-Digital-Ovulation-Count/dp/B00AOJ5R8W/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1418867664&sr=1-1&keywords=clearblue

This is my first go round at this though, so I am not sure if it works or not. Hopefully I will come back with good news. I did notice though that I went straight from an empty circle to a smiley face in one day. I read their site and sometimes women just go straight into peak without having a high fertility test reading. It isn't normal, but I was told to trust the test and that it was really sensitive.

Love the info! Thank you. Mainly I meant the product listing.. Haha! Is it this one or this one?

Thanks again for sharing the study!

I would like to suggest you Easy@Home 50LH+ 20HCG https://www.amazon.co.uk/Easy-Home-Ovulation-Strips-Pregnancy/dp/B00DOJG6RA . It's only ￡14.80 and much better than Onestep. Easy@Home is the Best Seller OPK on Amazon.com. They seem to have just arrived in the UK market. In fact, I think Onestep is the worst.

In addition, I recommend their App "Premom" to record your ovulation strips and make predictions about your O day. I am not sure if you can download it in India.

These are the ones I bought, from Easy@home:

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Home-Ovulation-Strips-Pregnancy/dp/B00DOJG6RA?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

So far I'm very happy with them, the strips themselves seem very well put-together, whereas some photos of other internet cheapies look kind of flimsy, if that makes sense. I paid extra for faster shipping, but otherwise these are SUPER low-cost. I got the 50-OPK/20-HPT pack, but they come in other sizes and mixes, if you aren't interested in the OPKs.

For tracking, I rely mostly on CM, which was SUPER important this cycle. Before my last TWW, I had been taking a regular multi-v plus folic acid supplements, but during my C1 TWW I started taking my prenatals daily, and I'm pretty sure they caused me to ovulate early (lots of B vitamins). My cycle is normally like clockwork, so any change is very abnormal, and if I hadn't been checking CM, I would have missed it completely. I ovulated on CD13, versus CD16, and I hadn't even started the OPKs until CD14. Luckily, I was temping, so I was able to confirm my O-date after the fact.

If you are looking into getting a thermometer, I ended up getting mine at the grocery store, and it was like $5. Still a BBT, and I've not had ANY issues with it: Veridian Healthcare 60-Second Digital Basal Thermometer. The price online varies from $6-10.


I swore I wouldn't start temping, but I do honestly feel relaxed by doing it. I think it just suits my personality, because I really like data analysis and following a routine. I do wake up a lot at night and temp at different times each early morning (usually from 3am-8am), but even so, my chart looks consistent enough! :)

I used ovulation test strips and they were a godsend. I have a long irregular cycle, and found out by testing that my estimates for ovulation were off. You can get a bunch for relatively little money. I used these: Easy at Home

Thermometer Has a backlight when a bunch don't though it is gigantic, also saves last few days of temping.

For OPK's I use Easy at Home brand mostly because they are stupid cheap.

We use this in conjunction with the pull out method on fertile days.

I usually ovulate around CD12 so I start testing around CD7 or 8. I try to test twice a day, once anywhere between 11 and 1 and then again within the first hour of being home from work.

I started with the ClearBlue test but I didn't have much luck with them so switched to the cheapies from Pregmate and have been much happier. With these I can at least see the gradual progression leading up to my surge (which I usually catch on the evening test). I test for another day or two after that until I notice the line start to lighten again.

Are you using the strips that have an app with it? Like this from Amazon? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOJG6RA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Because if so - I JUST got this a few days ago and am looking forward to using it!

​

Interesting about your surge being short! That could be something I'm also experiencing. Does your test brand have enough for 2x testing?

This one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000532QB/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_t3M7xb9A1JKMM and this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R1V66SG/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_E4M7xb44TE1GS

No problem! Maybe. She can test a day or two her period is due to find out. Planned parenthood would insert the IUD/nexplanon while she’s on her period and have her do a test, and if she went the pill route they’d have her start at a certain time in her cycle.

Read up on a woman’s menstrual and ovulation cycle in order to educate yourself a bit. There’s a small window in a woman’s cycle where she can get pregnant, but tracking ovulation can be tricky (and thus, the fertile window is larger and there’s more room for error).

If you want to test to relieve anxiety, here’s some cheap ones you can buy in bulk.

AccuMed Pregnancy Test Strips, 25-Count Individually Wrapped Pregnancy Strips, Early Home Detection Pregnancy Test Kit, Clear HCG Test Results, FDA Approved and Over 99% Accurate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YNWRPP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_a6z7BbVWKE2AA

For future reference you can get a pack of 25 pregnancy tests for 8 bucks. They aren't as fancy, but work just as well. You pee in a cup and then dip it in. I had lots of pregnancy trouble and was so glad to have a cheap option.

I love Wondfos. Bonus for this set because it come with HPTs! (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RY8UBNC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_S4.OzbFPXQXV1)

I actually use that brand https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Home-Ovulation-Strips-Pregnancy/dp/B00DOJG6RA/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1502828355&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+at+home+ovulation+test

Sorry you're going through this. I've been trying to conceive #2 for two years and peeing on those sticks is such a pain in the ass. I like the cheap OPKs from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/PREGMATE-Ovulation-Strips-Predictor-Pregnancy/dp/B01G5WEE9Y/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3P7W58ZAA3BTG&keywords=ovulation+test+strips&qid=1570040430&s=hpc&sprefix=ovula%2Chpc%2C185&sr=1-5

Is this a good one? It's reusable an infinite amount of times and just requires a urine sample? Is it very easy to use and understand? I would be so excited if I didn't have to take pills anymore.

I can monitor things regularly if it's simple for me to understand. Or if someone can help me understand

The STM method is the symptothermal method. For Catholics, it's usually taught through the couple to couple league, but it's also the most popular secular method because it's the one taught in Taking Charge of Your Fertility. If you're interested in learning more about fertility at all, this is the go-to book. This method is based on observing at least 2 primary fertility signs (cervical fluid and basal body temperature) and marking the beginning and ending of the fertile period based on the information gathered. A barrier method, withdrawal, outercourse, or abstinence is used during "Phase 2" of the cycle, which is the period between identifying the beginning of fertility and the end of fertility. The advantages of this method are that you can confirm ovulation, for sure--other than an ultrasound, there isn't really a good way to confirm that ovulation is happening. You can assume that it is based on other fertility signs and LH testing (ovulation predictor kits), but that information doesn't prove that ovulation actually occurred.

The Marquette method is primarily an NFP method, so in order to follow the protocol exactly, they require abstinence during the fertile period. That being said, if you're using it secularly, you can use barrier methods if you understand the risk that you are taking.

Marquette uses the Clearblue Advanced Fertility Monitor to track changing estrogen and LH levels in urine. Based on this information, there's a protocol for determining when your fertile period begins and ends. This is the official Marquette website. Unfortunately there's a paywall to access the forums, which is where they post updated and improved protocol (which is mainly for special circumstances--breastfeeding, postpartum, PCOS, etc).

There are also methods that track only cervical fluid (Billings, Creighton, Justisse), which tends to be very low on the cost and labor intensity scale. I successfully used Billings for awhile, but wanted more concrete information to prepare for trying to conceive in the future (1-2 years down the road).

Since getting Skyla, I've started getting a bit of nausea and bloating around my period that I hadn't previously. These are totally normal premenstrual symptoms. Check to make sure it's still in place, but you're almost certainly not pregnant. If you're going to feel paranoid on the regular, a good solution is to buy a bulk pack of pregnancy tests [from Amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SXCX1TO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
and take one every so often to calm your nerves.

The fun (and awful) part of birth control is that it gives you symptoms that are near identical to that of ovulation or pregnancy, because that's how birth control works. It tricks your body into thinking it's already pregnant.

The mini-pill is the only pill that will allow you to ovulate while taking it. This happens when you miss a pill since the mini pill is basically the smallest possible dose of hormone to keep your ovaries in check. Miss it and it thinks it's party time. The combination pill is a much higher dose (generally) and will supress your ovulation even if you miss one pill, usually.

If you were on the mini pill, the information you got would be correct. But your body thinks its pregnant, and so it's not going to ovulate, because that's just a silly thing to do.

If you're worried, you can buy OPK's (Ovulation Prediction Kits) on Amazon (Bonus Amazon Smile link!) for about 20-ish bucks. If you take an OPK twice a day, every day, you'll see that you're not ovulating.

___
Usually

$8.99 for 25 and there's a 15% off coupon you can use

These are the exact ones I ordered and they have been mostly fine. This past weekend I had one that was realllly slow to soak up and thus didn't have much color so I did a second one. The one after that had super faint lines, even the test line, so I did a second one then too.

I read somewhere that the cheap ones are slightly more accurate than the more expensive ones with the digital readout. A very good friend of mine bought twenty five pregnancy tests for $15 on Amazon.com, and they are supposed to be some of the most reliable tests on the market.

This made me laugh so hard -- we've all had Troll- Uterus scares!

You don't have to spend $14.99 per pregnancy test! I wish someone had told me this earlier in my life.

You can get these pregnancy strips at Amazon. You get 25 tests for around $8. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YIQEQ

I know you are thinking they are too cheap to work well but hear me out: These are MORE sensitive than the ones you buy at the store and are the same ones they use when they test you at the doctor's office. The only difference is that there is no fancy plastic handle. Rather, you pee in a disposable cup and dip the stick.

Each one is individually sealed in it's own pouch and they last a long time.

These are a good thing to have on hand for when you need them. I used to use them all the time when I was on the pill and skipped the placebo in order to avoid a period. I always checked at least once a month JUST in case.

Edit: I accidentally a word.

REMEMBER KIDS: Paternity tests are now $100 kits, lab fees included. You take a cheek swab from the presumed father and the kid and mail it in, and check it online. There is no bill, the woman does not need to be tested, and there is no reason that the woman even needs to know.

TEST EVERY KID, EVERY TIME. The rate of children being born into families with a different father is higher than you would even think possible. The "father" rarely suspects anything, and the woman almost never tells. The truth is hard to face, but it feels really good knowing it.

??

Pregnancy strips are $0.22 apiece retail at amazon. No insurance. Link.

Did she say why? I'd DNA test that kids ASAP.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005Y34OKA?pc_redir=1406880881&robot_redir=1