You know what I find extremely frustrating..

So, we have all these tests to help us figure out what's going on with our bodies, right.

You read instructions, read reviews online, etc.-- everything seems that it's so easy to use, blah blah blah...

So, why is it-- that everything is so damn confusing for me, and I never can seem to get anything right. I second guess everything because I feel like I am doing something wrong. I distrust the accuracy of everything-- positive or negative.

I feel like everyone else knows what they are doing, and I can't figure out how to use anything!!

I thought all these tools are supposed to HELP, not further confuse.

Message edited 3/5/2008 11:34:51 AM.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

I don't even look at this board it scares the bejesus out of me. All of these numbers, charts, temps have me freaked out.

Don't they have a Knocked Up for Dummies book we can buy?


I mean we are going to start for a few months, but all this information makes me feel like I am a moron


I am serious

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Do you mind if I ask what you are having problems with?

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Oh, I don't even bother with the temping and charting. I am on the Cro-Magnon level of TTC and I still can't figure this shite out.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Message edited 3/5/2008 11:51:12 AM.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

I have stopped temping. What I found worked for me was to temp for a few months and then use OPKs. Once I had a general idea of when I ovulated, I stopped temping and started using the OPKs a few days before. Try to limit your fluid intake before you use the OPK. Diluted urine will make all the difference. Also, try peeing in a cup and dipping th OPK in there. I did this (before I started seeing a RE) and it really helped.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Message edited 7/16/2012 8:01:22 PM.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by jxnoscar

I don't even look at this board it scares the bejesus out of me. All of these numbers, charts, temps have me freaked out.

Don't they have a Knocked Up for Dummies book we can buy?


I mean we are going to start for a few months, but all this information makes me feel like I am a moron


I am serious

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Have you thought about the Clear Blue Easy monitor?
I know it's pricey but it takes the guesswork out.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by katiebug

I am getting better, I have moved up from moron to idiot :)

I have had friends who have had the same problems as you with the strips and the microscopes, and I bet if you searched you find LOTS of women here who can't figure them out either.

Fertilityfriend has a great tutorial that has helped me so much, I highly recommend it.

There is also a book that people seem to like on this site. I will try to find the name for you.

I have really liked temping and using fertilityfriend, since I am a TTC moron, it takes the guess work completely out.

Don't get discouraged. Most of us here are learning, and I feel just as slow as you do!

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

I'm with you on being frustrated. I just went out and bought a new set of OPK's because I still haven't gotten my yet! I'm on day 23!! I know I must have done something wrong because I really think I've O'd already but I just want the d*mn

Try not to be too hard on yourself though. You are not alone!

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

i'm right there with you. i haven't even started to use opk's or anything else yet because i know i will probably use them incorrectly or not be able to figure it out. even the first time i POAS i messed it up. for right now, i'm going the old fashioned route - lots and lots of BDing.

Hang in there

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by randella

So, we have all these tests to help us figure out what's going on with our bodies, right.

You read instructions, read reviews online, etc.-- everything seems that it's so easy to use, blah blah blah...

So, why is it-- that everything is so damn confusing for me, and I never can seem to get anything right. I second guess everything because I feel like I am doing something wrong. I distrust the accuracy of everything-- positive or negative.

I feel like everyone else knows what they are doing, and I can't figure out how to use anything!!

I thought all these tools are supposed to HELP, not further confuse.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

With the OPKs, the duration of pees in between does matter, so if you can test in the mornng, that should help. I also found that peeing in a cup, and than dipping the stick helped. The other way was a complete mess.

hang in there...

Do you mind me asking how long you've been TTC?

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by ANON4NOW

With the OPKs, the duration of pees in between does matter, so if you can test in the mornng, that should help. I also found that peeing in a cup, and than dipping the stick helped. The other way was a complete mess.

hang in there...

Do you mind me asking how long you've been TTC?

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by randella

Posted by ANON4NOW

With the OPKs, the duration of pees in between does matter, so if you can test in the mornng, that should help. I also found that peeing in a cup, and than dipping the stick helped. The other way was a complete mess.

hang in there...

Do you mind me asking how long you've been TTC?

I pee in the cup too... I thought though you are not supposed to test in the morning?

Anyway, this is my third cycle trying though fourth month. I know it doesn't happen immediately (except to like EVERYONE I know outside of this message board), but I feel like if I can't figure out the tools, I am just wasting precious time. That's why this month, we are just having sex every other day-- but I would like to have some clue as to what is happening with my body.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

So sorry that you are frustrated.

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by ANON4NOW

Posted by randella

Posted by ANON4NOW

With the OPKs, the duration of pees in between does matter, so if you can test in the mornng, that should help. I also found that peeing in a cup, and than dipping the stick helped. The other way was a complete mess.

hang in there...

Do you mind me asking how long you've been TTC?

I pee in the cup too... I thought though you are not supposed to test in the morning?

Anyway, this is my third cycle trying though fourth month. I know it doesn't happen immediately (except to like EVERYONE I know outside of this message board), but I feel like if I can't figure out the tools, I am just wasting precious time. That's why this month, we are just having sex every other day-- but I would like to have some clue as to what is happening with my body.

hmmm...I heard testing in the morning for Ovulation was a good idea. For PG, it doesn't matter much. Were you tracking your cycle before you started trying? In the past 3 months, forgetting the tools, have you been able to pick up any differences in your body?

For example, now that I'm paying attention, I've noticed some CM, I know boobe soreness is really a sign of AF for me, etc.

Maybe focus more on signs from your body than trying to get the tools to work for you.

hang in there and good luck!

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

I spoke to two friends this weekend who both got and BFP testing in the morning. I guess it just all depends!

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by hmm8191

I spoke to two friends this weekend who both got and BFP testing in the morning. I guess it just all depends!

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

Posted by jxnoscar

I don't even look at this board it scares the bejesus out of me. All of these numbers, charts, temps have me freaked out.

Don't they have a Knocked Up for Dummies book we can buy?


I mean we are going to start for a few months, but all this information makes me feel like I am a moron


I am serious

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

I totally agree! I spent the money to get the CBEFM and I don't know why but I still doubt the results or that I'm doing something wrong but you just have to trust that you are following the directions right and it should be accruate...

Re: You know what I find extremely frustrating..

I'm sorry you're so confused! Do you have any specific questions we could help answer maybe?

I don't know too much, but here's what I know:

Test with OPKs after holding in your urine for 4 hours (in the afternoon). I started testing on CD 10, but you may want to start earlier or later depending on how long your cycles are. I usually try to use the bathroom about 4 hours before I'll be home from work, this way I can use the OPKs as soon as I get home. I used the clearblue easy digital OPKs because they take the guesswork out of interpreting the lines, although some girls say they like the lines better so they can compare the results each day.
Ideally, we BD the day before +OPK, the two days of +OPK and the following day, so 4 days in a row total (although we haven't been able to do that yet!)

Last month we started using the CBEFM, which I like because it definitely takes out all of the guesswork. It tells you exactly when to test, and you can use FMU. Last cycle, I got 2 days of low, followed by 8 days of high, then 2 peak days, 1 more high, then back to low. We BD'd (coincidentally) the high day before peak and the two peak days (were too tired for the last high day after peak).

This month we'll be trying for the 4 days in a row! A lot of girls BD every other day after AF ends, then every day at/around their O time.

Good luck!