Clearblue Fertility Monitor - User Club

[SnowBells]

So… anyone else here using the clear blue fertility monitor? Not the normal ovulation test sticks, but the actual monitor.

Thought we'd form our little club, exchange stories of how it's going so far, and just support each other in this seemingly hi-tech business of TTC. Gosh - what did they do in medieval times? Did Da Vinci or Galileo invent a fertility monitor that was widely used, but yet to be uncovered?

Anyway, here are my stats:

• First cycle of using monitor;
• Started testing CD6 as expected from the manual;
• High on CD7, and am a little surprised.

Seriously wondering whether peeing after midnight on CD5 caused hormones to be low on CD6, hence machine 'thought' (detected, more like) there was a surge on CD7???

OR maybe this is ONE of the reasons why TTC was difficult - never did the deed before CD12 before.

OR the machine is still adjusting to my system.

What about you?

[KatAndKit]

Not a current user as pregnant now, but i think it is common to have more high days in the first month. Don't exhaust yourself too soon!

[duvetheaven]

Hi Snowbells - I think the machine 'detected' rather than thought lol. I am 42 years so decided to use this a couple of months ago and like you it showed that my peak fertility was earlier in the cycle than I had previously thought. Anyway, there was a BFP on the first month of using this so having a lot of faith in it! Unfortunately , have since had a MC so will be using the machine again.

[SnowBells]

duvetheaven - Good luck with it all, and keep us updated.

In my case, still no peak. Just highs...

[JBrd]

Snow I think it's normal for the monitor to read Highs from very early on in your cycle, if it's the first time you are using it. Something to do with establishing the baseline for your cycle or something... Like duvet said, don't exhaust yourself

I've been using the cbfm for about a year now and find it very good, definitely gives you a more accurate window than just with OPKs. But then again I have very regular and straightforward cycles...
Got pg twice with its help, sadly both resulting in mc - unfortunately, it can't help with that! About to start trying again... Just wish the sticks weren't so expensive!

[littlemissy1234]

Hi all, I'm just starting with mine - day 6 today. Used it the month before both my BFP's (DD and a mmc last month) but not the actual month! Hope it works this month though!

[barmybunting]

Good idea! I'm on cycle 2 of using mine. I can't say anything useful about early highs - my first cycle I started to use it on CD 6, had lows until CD 24, highs on CD 24 & 25 and then low again on CD26. AF arrived on 9dpo so goodness knows!

It asked me to start testing on CD12 this cycle, currently CD13 - lows so far.

[SnowBells]

I've had highs since CD7 and it's now CD13! No peak yet though.

[iwantalittleone]

Hi

I'm on cd25 of my first cycle using it, I've been high since cd13 but no peak. I'm not sure what to do come cd27, do I switch the monitor on as usual or do I need to wait for my next period!?

Also, this is my first proper AF since coming off the pill, I've been bleeding for over 2 weeks, I'm not sure when/if I should start worrying!?

[JBrd]

iwant You keep switching the monitor on as usual every day, until the day you get you period - then you either press the 'm' button if it's in time with your usual window or wait until the next day.

CD8 today and got a 'high' reading...

[blamber]

iwant, have you been bleeding heavily? So that you need to use a pad or tampon? In that case, it might be best to see the GP just to be reassured.

I have been using the monitor for two cycles. First one just came off the pill and didn't detect a peak, then ran out of sticks. Couple of cycles after that used the CB ovulation sticks (that don't need the monitor) instead as they were a lot cheaper. I just went back to the monitor and again had a long cycle, so it just started flashing 'm'. I still used the sticks though and read the lines, got a LH surge not long after. All my symptoms match exactly with what the sticks say, so I don't have to use the sticks I suppose, but it gives me reassurance.

[mamafuckerslatts]

I have been using this for a year now. For the first 3 months I got 'highs' but no 'peak'. I have had a peak recording every month since but often at different times in my cycle.

Jbrd - I remember you from the over 40s thread (haven't been on there for months tho!) Good luck.

[iwantalittleone]

Thanks Jrbd.

Blamber - it's really just been there when I wipe (sorry TMI) but for the past couple of days it has been heavier, especially overnight. I am debating heading to the docs.

[JBrd]

iwant Sorry I did not take into account that you've been bleeding, sorry! Just re-read your post. Hope that it has been easing off, if not, I'd think that going to the doctors would be advisable. Prolonged heavy bleeding can really wear you out, and they might want to keep an eye on iron levels, depending on how string it is...
Hope it improves soon!

[iwantalittleone]

JBrd - it's coming up for 3 weeks now and not letting up

I wonder if I ring the drs and ask for the doc/nurse to ring me back, they will, just for a little advice!?

I wished for AF to arrive so I could start TTC and now I can't stop it! Typical!

[sazzlehopes]

Hi all, on my second cycle of using it. First month high on day 6 then peak on 14&15, this month high on day 7 then peak on 16&17, i'm now day 21 and in the 2ww.
I do like the machine and after 10 cycles ttc using normal opk i thought I'd splash out and see if this makes a difference.

[sazzlehopes]

iwant - think a call to the doctors would be a good idea, no harm to ask and possible get checked over.

[iwantalittleone]

Good luck Sazzle!! let us know how you get on!

[Luckystar1]

Oh me, me! I've started using it this cycle I still have af, so no peeing yet!!

I had a mmc in Sept, and this is my 2nd cycle since, so I'm really hoping that it will help us get our bfp before I lose it completely! Fx for us all!!

[juniper81]

Hi, can I join you?
I've done about two cycles with it (went away at the crucial point on the first one). Second one got peaks on day 16 and 17.
Can I ask a very stupid question (it is very stupid). Does the peak correlate to actual ovulation or just before? So should you definitely dtd on peak days? Was a bit disappointed not to get a bfp this cycle but only managed it on the second day of the peak. Sorry if this is TMI but I need some clear answers! Thanks.

[Crazycat77]

Hi All, I've invested in one...missed the start of this months cycle by time it came...will watch the thread and join you soon! Good luck this month :-)

[Luckystar1]

Juniper I read 'the impatient woman's guide to getting pregnant'. The author says that the 2nd peak day is in most cases too late. Her advice was to aim for the high and 1st peak day (and the 2nd too if you feel like it!). It's a really interesting book. The statistics are amazing!!

I've heard such good things about the monitor I'm really hoping it works!!

[JBrd]

juniper From what I remember, the peak indicates that you are either ovulating or about to ovulate in the next 24 hours (or less, I think the window with the monitor is slightly more precise that with the OPKs). So it's recommended to dtd the day before you get the peak, on the day and for good measure the day after. Sperm can live for up to 7 days once it's been 'deposited', that's why the 'high' reading on the Cbfm is a good indicator for when to start dtd.

[blamber]

the peak indicates you have an LH surge, which happens 24-36 hours before you ovulate. Research by clear blue indicate that ovulation happened on average 32 hours after the LH surge. With the monitor, you always test in the morning, so when you get a peak you might be at the beginning, on the real peak or at the end of the LH surge, so you probably ovulate within 12-48 hours.

Two days and the day before ovulation are supposed to be the best days for dtd, so it's best to dtd every other day during your high days, and then definitely on the first peak day. You most likely, based on averages, ovulate on the second peak day. The egg can live around 12 hours, but reduces in quality the longer it lives, so there is a chance of catching the egg on time on the day of ovulation, but not as much as the days before.

Even if you do everything right, so there is sperm to fertilise an egg, it doesn't mean you'll definitely get pregnant. It's a complicated process, so don't be disappointed as it can take 6-12 months normally to get pregnant. At least with the monitor you'll have a much better idea when the most fertile days are.

[zippygeorgebungle]

I'm on the first cycle of using the monitor. In previous months I have had very late smileys when using the kits, though I have just stopped bfing. Two day 21 tests have shown non ovulation though I am fairly sure I have ovulated after (27 day cycle so v short luteal phase).

Today on day 12 I was very surprised to get a high fertility showing so I am cautiously pleased about using the monitor so far.

[Hopemummi]

Whooooa this business is frustrating. Spent the last 10 years making sure I don't get pregnant. Married a year ago & stopped using the pill & never thought we'd still be trying 12 months on. Bought the clear blue fertility monitor last month - now on 1st cycle & no high yet but I think I marked first day of period too early & was just spotting!