Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor

I received my Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor and test sticks in the mail today. I ordered it off of cvs.com. They had it for $199.99 in the store but they had it on sale for $127.49 online. The test sticks were $49.99 in the store but they had them on sale for $37.49 online. I also received free shipping so I saved some money by purchasing this online instead of in the store. I am so excited to start using this next cycle.

I have been using OPK test strips since like a few months into S and I TTC. I use 2 different kinds of OPK test strips, Answer brand and the internet cheapies from www.early-pregnancy-tests.com. I have mainly used the internet cheapies because they really are so much cheaper. I've been buying them in bulk along with pregnancy tests. Honestly, there is no telling how much money I have spent on OPK's, HPT's, BBT thermometer, Clomid, Robitussin (more about that later), and bloodwork. And now $219 on the CBE fertility monitor and test sticks (I ordered 2 packages of 30 test sticks so I could get the cheaper price online). It will all be worth it in the end though when S and I are holding our little miracle in our arms.

I won't be able to start using the CBE fertility monitor until next cycle. I am currently on CD21, so I have about 2 weeks or so before next cycle begins. I should be O'ing soon. I've been taking OPK test strips since CD13. The past 2 days (CD19 and CD20) I have got test results that are nearly positive. When taking an OPK the test line must be as dark or darker than the control line. The past 2 days my test line has been nearly as dark as the control line so no positive yet this cycle. It does get kind of confusing taking the OPK test strips because it's like my test line is "nearly" as dark as the control line. It's supposed to be easier with the CBE fertility monitor because you don't have to look for a line that is as dark or darker than another line. It has a little display screen that shows your level of fertility - low, high, and peak. A low fertility reading means that you have a very small chance of conceiving. A high fertility reading means you have an increased chance of conceiving (I guess that is right before or right after you O?). A peak fertility reading means you have the highest chance of conceiving (that must be when you are O'ing?). You begin testing on or before CD5. Every morning you turn on the FM and if it will tell you if you need to take a test that day. If you do, you pee on a test stick and insert it in the FM. It will then display your fertility level. From what I have read, the FM will ask for a test 10-20 days during your cycle, I guess depending on your cycle length. It remembers your cycle information and I guess it becomes more accurate the more you use it. I'm really not sure yet, I'll figure it out better once I start using it. It says that it is for women that have a cycle length between 21 and 42 days. Mine have been averaging about 35 days. God, they used to be so long, like months and months. I'll update more about the CBE FM once I start using it. It would be really awesome to not even have to use the CBE FM next cycle.....meaning I get a BFP this cycle! I would not even be upset that I spent $200+ on this thing.

So the current TTC plan is.....finish this cycle, continue taking OPK test strips until I get a +, take an HPT 14dpo, if I don't get AF by CD50 call the doctor for an RX (provera to induce AF). Next cycle - start using the CBE FM on CD5, continue using it until it doesn't ask for anymore test sticks, BD on High and Peak fertility days, take an HPT 14dpo, if I don't get AF by CD50 call the doctor for an RX (provera to induce AF). I'll continue using the CBE FM for maybe the rest of this year. During that time I'm going to continue dieting, exercising, and losing weight. If we don't have a BFP by late fall I will be taking Clomid again. If I do have to take Clomid again I will try it for 6 cycles. If no BFP within that time we will try again on our own for another 3 cycles past the 6 Clomid cycles. After that, if no BFP, we are going to an RE, a specialist. I like having a plan.