The stick I am referring to comes in two varieties. The first and most common are ovulation tests or OKPs (Ovulation Predictor Kits). Ovulation tests monitor the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in urine. The LH surge, precedes ovulation by 24 to 36 hours. So basically you need to start POAS (Peeing on a stick) about 5-7 days after the last day of your last period and then squint at parallel lines until the test line becomes equal to or darker than the base line. Women basically become crazy chemists lining up their little experiments.
So why do women do this? As I said before, even with perfect timing there is only a 20% chance of conceiving each cycle, so getting that timing right is imperative. Since the LH surge happens about 24 - 36 hours BEFORE ovulation, a positive ovulation test is your cue to get busy! Ovulation can be inconsistent and can vary from woman to woman based on multiple factors. One factor is the length of each cycle. (The average women is about 28 days.) Other factors can be your health, a late start to your cycle, medications you are taking, etc. Because of these uncertainties, the addiction to POAS begins.
Remember that cool App, PeriodTracker, which estimates when you will ovulated? (roughly 14 days before the start of you next cycle) It's exactly that- an ESTIMATION. So you can not rely on counting days alone. Don't believe me? Remember back to sex-ed when they told you about the "Rhythm Method"? This is the same exact method, but you would avoid sex on the fertile days instead of focusing on them. Ah the Rhythm Method, loved by Catholic Grandmas everywhere.
Hey, you know what you call a woman who uses the Rhythm Method? MOM, HA!....it's an oldy, but a goodie. It's also proof that the Counting Method/The Rhythm Method should really be paired with another method such as BC or OPKs (depending on which outcome you are after). Below is a handy chart, if you are a visual learner like me.
The other type of stick is, of course, the Pregnancy Test. There are sooooo many types of tests. In the beginning I bought EPT because I couldn't wait the full two weeks from ovulation to the next cycle. This time period is referred to as the "two-week-wait" and it is brutal. I actually schedule a massage in the middle of my TWW so I have something else to look forward to/think about. The truth is that, after a few months, I realized that fancy pregnancy tests are just a waste of money. (especially if you are testing multiple times like a crazy POAS addict) Go to the dollar store. You pee on it for goodness sake! The dollar store tests aren't any less accurate and I can get 7 for the price I'd pay for 1 EPT.
So for me personally, after nearly half a year of trying, I had to buckle down and begin testing ovulation. I needed to know what was going on with my body. I know there are other methods such as Basil Body Temping (which requires commitment, a chunk of your morning routine, and a special thermometer). This method just doesn't fit in with my schedule and my life. Ovulation testing is pretty easy and you can even buy some kits to get you started. Try amazon and look for Wondoflo. They are super cheap and easy to use.
So what's next? You've read all the books, you are tracking ovulation, and still no baby? Well if you are over 30 and its been more than 6th months, you should see your OBGYN or consult with a fertility clinic. If you are under 30 (like me) these places won't even begin talking about infertility until you've tried for a year. For me, the next step was getting support from my sister and my friends. It was also time to hit the internet and see what the modern moms have tried. Ever heard of Preseed or Softcups? I hadn't either. Next entry is "You want me to try what?!" - October to December.
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