Ovulation Prediction Kits (OPK’s) are handy tools when trying to conceive. Knowing how to use one can mean the difference between just another month and getting pregnant.
Here’s how:
- If you’re seeing a specialist, ask what brand they recommend. If not, ask friends or at online Forums like ours.
- Purchase ovulation prediction kit (OPK) based on recommendations and your budget.
- Several days prior to using the OPK, read the instructions in the box carefully.
- If you are unable to determine from the instructions when you should use the OPK, call your physician immediately.
- If you are currently in a treatment cycle (using fertility drugs), follow precisely your physician’s recommendations for days of use.
- On the days which you are testing, open a sterile package containing the test wand. You will either urinate on the stick or in a provided cup.
- Wait the instructed length of time before reading the results.
- If you have difficulty reading the results, call the 800# provided in the instructions, call your physician’s office, or ask others who have used that brand.
- Repeat the test with a newly opened sterile package (wand) once a day until you have a positive test.
- A positive OPK test means that your luteinizing hormone (LH) surge has been detected and that you will ovulate in anywhere from 12 to 48 hours.
- If you are in a treatment cycle (using fertility drugs), notify your physician’s office once you have achieved a positive test.
- After a positive test, it is recommend that sexual relations occur before ovulation for maximum conception opportunity.
- If you consistently fail to achieve a positive result (after 2 or more cycles), notify your physician.
Tips:
- It is not necessary to wait every other day to engage in intercourse. Daily intercourse will maximize your opportunities.
- If you have great difficulty using any particular brand, try another one in the next cycle.
© Tracy Morris