First of all, I want to share that I have a brand new book to GIVEAWAY!
The book is called ‘The Baby-Making Bible’ by Emma Cannon.
To enter the Giveaway please comment on my latest insta photo of the book and tag any friends that may be interested.
I appreciate that you may not want to comment on the photo, so if you are more private drop me a DM and I will enter you into the draw.
Ovulation time
I would find myself living for this window and if you are TTC (trying to conceive), you may of noticed how everything online is shortened! I had no idea what anything meant at first. TMI is my fave – (too much info!). Anyway, I imagine that you probably feel the same – living for the ovulation window. As soon as one unsuccessful window passed I would want the following few weeks to just fly by so we could get to the next window. Nothing else really mattered in-between, as sad as that sounds. I was using the Clearblue Ovulation sticks to track if I was fertile over the key days but found myself confused by them. I would go from having an ‘O’ indicating not fertile to a flashing smiley face the next day to show I was ‘Highly fertile’ but I felt it was strange that there was nothing in-between? Normally you would see this pattern:
O = not fertile (only BD for fun)
Flashing smiley face :) = fertile (BD)
Solid smiley face:)= High fertile (DEF BD!)
** BD meaning BABY DANCE!!
The problem with fertility is that everyone is different. No two people are going to be the same. Through my research I found a lot of confused women discussing the same kind of problems. Some women find that having more control helps put their mind to rest and others can let nature take its course. Personally, the more info I had the better I felt, so I am going to share a few tips with you that I used.
Clearblue Ovulation sticks:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BSNL778/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Over 99% accurate
• Identifies 4 or more fertile days
• Digital Screen
These can work out quite expensive at £15 a pack depending on how many you get through! On the forums, I have read a lot of women raving about the ovulation sticks from Poundland or Asda's own brand. If you are more budget conscience you could always give those a go! I stuck to the digital format as you should get a clearer result – I wanted to avoid ANY confusion!
I’m not really the kind of person that can just sit back and think ‘it will happen when it happens’. I knew there must be something else I could be doing (apart from trying not to stress, hardly drinking, eating well, getting enough sleep, doing enough exercise - the list goes on).
My friend told me about the OuvSense.
This device is inserted like a tampon and worn overnight. In the morning, you wash it off and tap against your phone which connects to an app you will have downloaded. The Ouvsense tracks your Basel Body Temperature to two decimal places giving you a super accurate reading. This reading then charts over the days worn and tells you your fertile window extremely accurately. This is great for people that perhaps do not think they are ovulating or have polycystic ovaries.
https://www.ovusense.com/eu/?gclid=CjwKCAjw4ZTqBRBZEiwAHHxpfqxKm_24d-X0aKKDZF-3VyDwfB38GhYe3QhZumXFmAMzDefEgrMiXRoCsCQQAvD_BwE
Some Key Facts:
• £99 for the device which includes 2 months free subscription
• Subscription after this is £20 a month
• Not sure if this still stands but when I signed up, if you didn’t fall pregnant within 6months you had a free hour consultation with a fertility expert. I tried to do this sooner but was told they need to see a 6 month cycle from your app (fair enough).
POSITIVES:
1. This made me feel like I was taking the extra step to getting my baby. It makes you feel like you know what is going on in your body. YES, I am ovulating. YES, I know my most fertile days.
2. All info recorded easily on an app
3. The website is very informative and there are lots and lots of incredible reviews + most importantly success stories!
NEGATIVES:
1. It was a pain to set up, my friend had no problems so maybe I was unlucky or stupid!! I got there in the end and eventually when I was set up I didn’t experience any further problems
2. Wearing the device every night can be a pain but it does feel more ‘normal’ after a while
3. Depending on budget it’s another cost to consider
GLOW APP
After extensive research into TTC apps, I went with ‘Glow’ which I believe is still free to download.
• It’s clear and easy to enter your information
• When you enter your info, little icons appear in your calendar it’s easy and discrete to view
• You can enter minimal info i.e. period dates or you can be quite detailed by adding in BD dates, your temperature if you are tracking it, any symptoms you are experiencing, moods and CM (cervical mucus). This is KEY for tracking ovulation. If you aren’t aware of this then have a research online. Your CM will most likely indicate to you your Ovulation time. You obviously cannot rely on this but you can use it as another method of tracking.
• Once you have entered your period dates, the app will estimate your ovulation window so you can plan BD dates
• The app wasn’t always accurate for me as my Luteal Phase was quite short and very changeable however it gave me an idea. Luteal phase is one stage of the menstrual cycle. It occurs after ovulation, when your ovaries release an egg and before your period starts – this is the time for possible pregnancy to take place. The average luteal phase is around 14 days however mine was anything from 5-11 days. This is why the app didn’t always give me accurate timelines.
• I would definitely recommend getting an app – download a few and see what works for you!
If you have been trying for some time and haven’t yet used the Ovulation tests I would suggest these! I’ve seen that lots of woman keep the tests and tape them to a piece of paper. This way they are able to write the date with the result as a record. If you download the app you can record this info just as easily. The tests will give you peace of mind, knowing that you are most definitely ovulating. The app is a no-brainer.
I am always really happy to chat about all things fertility and baby making! As I’ve said I am no expert, this is most like a fertility diary for me but if anyone wants to chat please feel free to drop me a msg on Instagram: @Maxiimamma.
Don’t forget to enter my book giveway on Insta!
Love Maxiimamma x
