Nice ovulation gadget

Although I haven't officially joined TTC ranks again, I've been charting
this month and decided to give a new gadget a try. It's a microscope that
you can use to have a look at dried up saliva. When it dries in a fern
pattern, it means you're fertile. I thought it would make a nice check of
my charts, but was quite sceptical. Until yesterday morning, when I saw a
nice and clear fern pattern. It's easy, reusable, and costs about $22. The
name is Ovuloscope or something like that, I bought mine at Target. I'm
not sure if this is available outside the US.

As for the details: it is not the same thing as ovulation kits, which test
for the presence of hormones. The fern pattern can occur any time from a
week before until several days after ovulation, but is so clearly
different from the normal spotty pattern, it is easy to interpret.
Solely as an ovulation test, it would be too inaccurate for me, and I
would definitely not use it to prevent pregnancy. But combined with the
charting, it is a nice confirmation of my relatively obscured fertility
symptoms. Just thought I'd mention it here, in case you're interested.

--
-- I
mommy to DS (20m)
mommy to two tiny angels (28 Oct 2003 & 17 Feb 2004)
guardian of DH (33)

I actually used one of these and I got pregnant on the first cycle! They
really do work. DH and I had not been trying really for the last year but
we had not been preventing either. Well with this device I realized I was
ovulating later then I thought.

Tori
"Ilse Witch" wrote in message
news
Although I haven't officially joined TTC ranks again, I've been charting
this month and decided to give a new gadget a try. It's a microscope that
you can use to have a look at dried up saliva. When it dries in a fern
pattern, it means you're fertile. I thought it would make a nice check of
my charts, but was quite sceptical. Until yesterday morning, when I saw a
nice and clear fern pattern. It's easy, reusable, and costs about $22. The
name is Ovuloscope or something like that, I bought mine at Target. I'm
not sure if this is available outside the US.

As for the details: it is not the same thing as ovulation kits, which test
for the presence of hormones. The fern pattern can occur any time from a
week before until several days after ovulation, but is so clearly
different from the normal spotty pattern, it is easy to interpret.
Solely as an ovulation test, it would be too inaccurate for me, and I
would definitely not use it to prevent pregnancy. But combined with the
charting, it is a nice confirmation of my relatively obscured fertility
symptoms. Just thought I'd mention it here, in case you're interested.

--
-- I
mommy to DS (20m)
mommy to two tiny angels (28 Oct 2003 & 17 Feb 2004)
guardian of DH (33)

Ilse Witch wrote in message ...
Although I haven't officially joined TTC ranks again, I've been charting
this month and decided to give a new gadget a try. It's a microscope that
you can use to have a look at dried up saliva. When it dries in a fern
pattern, it means you're fertile. I thought it would make a nice check of
my charts, but was quite sceptical. Until yesterday morning, when I saw a
nice and clear fern pattern.

Ilse I have one of these too. I also found it easy to use, as soon as
I got the hang of getting the right amount of saliva on it (one lick
does the trick for me -- I find I have to get just the right amount on
to see anything).

For Canadians, BTW, you can get these at most big pharmacies.

I find that I only get the ferns for 2-3 days though so it is
important for me to check frequently.

You know what though I usually see my temp rise a couple of days after
the last of the ferns. Do you think this means I have a low rising
temp?

To be honest I have given up temping the last two months, although I
still lick my microscope I am just tired of it after 2.5 years, I
guess. Actually I think what I am tired of is thinking it makes a
difference Lately I've been in a bit of a negative space.

Elle
still TTC a #1 that will stick around

On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 13:56:54 -0700, Elle wrote:

I find that I only get the ferns for 2-3 days though so it is
important for me to check frequently.

I've noticed that I often get a much clearer pattern in the evening than
in the morning. So I test twice a day now. I've been seeing ferns for
three days (haven't checked this morning yet), but this morning also had a
slight temp jump.

You know what though I usually see my temp rise a couple of days after
the last of the ferns. Do you think this means I have a low rising temp?

That could be. This is the first time I use this thing, but one of the
reasons I do, is because my temp jump seems to be late as well. Some
cycles it will gently rise over a couple of days, others it will not rise
until one or two days after my secondary fertility signs cease. This
mornings rise was small (only just 0.2 degrees), so this may be a 'slow
rise' cycle.

Lately I've been in a bit of a negative space.

((((Elle)))) I can totally image that you must be almost giving up hope.
Did you ever have any fertility consulting or testing done?

--
-- I
mommy to DS (21m)
mommy to two tiny angels (28 Oct 2003 & 17 Feb 2004)
guardian of DH (33)

Ilse Witch wrote in message

((((Elle)))) I can totally image that you must be almost giving up hope.
Did you ever have any fertility consulting or testing done?

Oh yeah, we've consulted. I have been pregnant 3 times in the two
years we've been trying -- two ectopics and a miscarriage. I lost my
left tube with the last ectopic (both were on the left side) since it
ruptured. It was a bit of a rip off because during the ultrasound they
could see the corpus luteum on my right ovary but I guess the egg got
swept up onto the crappy left side.

So anyway we've been trying for about 6 or so cycles since then. I am
under the care of a specialist -- as soon as I get my period (I am
almost at the end of my 2ww) we are going to do an HSG to make sure my
right tube is ok. They do those between days 8-11 or something like
that. If it is open he will probably run some other tests. I've had
some baseline hormonal stuff done and all looks well, my husband has
been tested and is fine, and I seem to ovulate regularly according to
my chart and microscope. Also when I had the ectopic removed
laparoscopically he had a look around in there and pronounced my
ovaries and the outside of my uterus and remaining tube healthy
looking.

Anyway I'm not sure what to hope for -- a blocked tube that might be
fixed or will indicate we should try our three government-paid-for
IVFs, or an open tube which means maybe there's some problem we
haven't even contemplated, meaning more invasive testing, more
waiting, and no government-funded IVFs.

Do you think you will be back to trying again soon? It's scary isn't
it?

Elle

On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 14:09:55 -0700, Elle wrote:

Do you think you will be back to trying again soon? It's scary isn't
it?

Yes, it's freaking me out ATM. We didn't really TTC this cycle, but we
BD'd during my fertile phase (hormones... you gotta love 'em). So now for
the first time in my life I am scared to death that I might not get AF.
Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything...

You've been through a lot! I hope that they will be able to put a finger
on what the problem is. Then again, you may still be in the 'normal, but
just having bad luck' bin. It sure is devastating. Good luck (((Elle)))!

--
-- I
mommy to DS (21m)
mommy to two tiny angels (28 Oct 2003 & 17 Feb 2004)
guardian of DH (33)