Ovulation tracking methods - pros & cons

I've just started this prep to TTC #2 and already I'm all confused and surprised how I actually managed to conceive Caitlin! LOL

I have been keeping a record of my periods ever since they returned (about 5 months ago now) and I just tried to load them into Fertility Friend along with todays period data, it threw a hissy fit at me and told me certain bits and pieces were for VIPs only and that I had to spend wads of cash to use it

Has anyone else signed up for the VIP version?


Also, after a chat with Paws earlier I'm not sure if the temp thing will work for me (due to my love affair with my electric blanket ), when I tried using it before, FF told me I wasn't fertile even on the day I know Caitlin was concieved (I'm 100% sure it was this particular day due to lack of BDing that month)

So, what other options are available? what are the pros and cons with each?


P.S
Isn't it funny that as soon as you make a descision like this it totally takes over, even though we won't be TTC for another 8 months! (hope I can hold out that long! lol)

Well I'll repeat what I said for the benefit of everyone else...(by the very lazy cut and paste method might i add! )

I perfer OPK's simply because I found temping didn't work....like you I found they were all over the place, the temperature in the room seemed to have an effect (as did my electric blanket - gosh I love that thing!!!!) so all in all it really didn't work for me. I couldn't tell when I ovulated so really it was a total bust for me.

I got my OPK's off a Trade Me girl (worzel1)....they are throw away and are the dip stick varitey but I found them well priced and always reliable.

She has a whole range of testing products now by the way.

I use a Fertility Monitor called an Ovacue. I love it. I got it from www.fertilitysolutions.co.nz. I have been using it as a form of contraception and now using it to conceive. Basically the website is very informative but everymorning I put the oral sensor on my tongue and it reads the electroydes(?). It then predicts your fertility in advance and tells you what days you are most fertile. I also have a vaginal sensor which I use near ovulation and confirms that ovulation has actually happened. It cost me a bit to get approx $700 or so a couple of years ago (mind you I got everything then) but have been using it as a form of contraception so I think the cost is pretty much paid for itself rather than pill precriptions etc. I did look at the OPKS etc but found with working in busy job fulltime I didnt have the energy to do it and also didnt like the ferning microscopes.

What I do like about it is that it preducts your fertility in advance so that if you know yourm ost fertile day is day 16 you can plan for it rather than something coming up and it being too late. I like the fact too that the vaginal sensor confirms that ovulation has occurred rather than just hoping. Anyway enough about that for me I have found it really useful.

my chart

Please note I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing with this

chart

Hope it works this time! I entered my first temp this morning

I was taking my temp but lost my login for FF between then and now, so started a fresh one.

Thanks again Sara (check out my signature, pretty flash huh! )