Clearblue Fertility Monitor

[TCoys28]

Before I ask the real question, have any of you ladies used the fertility monitor?

[mccfluff]

nope, whats the real question?

[anneasquith]

no, but ive seen them in the chemist.

[pixie373]

No, sorry.

[TCoys28]

Well, after nearly 2yrs over trying for a baby, I have decided to try the fertility monitor.
I have read the instruction manual over and over, but I just want to make sure that I use it correctly.
The instructions say that I need to press the 'm' button on my 1st day of the cycle, which is today. What I need to know is that do I press the button at a time where I am able to test my first urine of the day?

I don't know if this makes sense, but I'm hoping someone understands what I'm trying to ask

[anneasquith]

I cant be of any help sorry, but, if you look at the packaging often there will be a helpline number to phone. good luck

[mccfluff]

http://uk.clearblue.com/contact-us

good luck anyway

[TCoys28]

Thanks anneasquith and mccluff

[meglet]

I used it three times and got pregnant twice so I swear by it.

From memory you press the m button around the time if day that you'll be testing. So if you'll normally get up at, say, 08.00 then you can press it at 6.30 to give yourself a three hour window. If you've missed today already then press it at the beginning of the three hour window tomorrow TWICE i.e. so the number clicks from day 1 to day 2. You don't test until day 8 or so therefore its not a problem, its deigned this way in case you miss the window on day 1.

Make sense? Keep asking more if you need to. Would also really recommend you join www.fertilityfriend.com and log all your data. I found it invaluable.

[bednobs]

like meg, i used it 3 times and got pregnant twice. I'm afraid i don't know the answer to your question- it's been a while

[TCoys28]

Hi meglet and bednobs,

I am so glad that you ladies have used the monitor before and that it has been a success. I am getting quite excited now, but I don't want to get my hopes up high.

Meglet, I normally wake up between 04:00-05:30 on working days (I travel around the country for my job, so I wake up between those times depending on where I am going on the day), so I guess I would have to press the 'm' button during this time?
Also, I know that when I take the test, I have to test the first urine after I wake up. But what if I happen to wake up between 02:00-03:00 to go to the toilet (I tend to go to the toilet a few times during the night) and then wake up at 04:00 to get ready for work and go to the toilet again. Which sample would I test?
And one more question, I started my period around 09:30 this morning, so when I wake up tomorrow, would I set the 'm' button for cycle day 1 or 2?

I apologise for all the questions. I just want to do this right as we have been trying for so long.

Thanks

[bednobs]

day 2. I would test the one where you wake up to get up for the day

[bednobs]

ps i was rather obsessed (after mt 2 children died) and used the CBFM, plus the smiley face sticks, to check it was working, plus the cheap ebay ones to check the smiley faces were working!

[TCoys28]

Thanks bednobs. At least I know when to test and what cycle day to enter on the monitor tomorrow.

I've decided to try the monitor after using different ovulation kits, and checking my basal temp. I have irregular periods and my cycles are all over the shot. I even got scanned for polycystic ovaries, which was fine.
My GP has referred me to a gyne. My appointment is in a few weeks.
I'm 35 in a few months and my hubby is 40. We're getting to that stage where we are getting desperate for children.

I've head lots of good reviews on this monitor and I only pray that it works for me.

Sorry to hear about your loss bednobs x

[bednobs]

I know where you are coming from - i didn't have my first baby till i was nearly 37 but then had 3 in 20 months

[meglet]

Sorry, I've been travelling today and not been able to come back to the thread. Just to concur with Bednobs, use the urine from when you get up properly. Maybe try limiting fluids in the evening to try and cut down nighttime wees? If you get up between 4.00 and 5.30 normally then I would start the monitor at 4.00 so that even if you get up later, say on a weekend, you still have a window until 7.00.

I found the CBFM test sticks worked when I never got a single positive ovulation result from any other kit. Waste of money they were! I really do wish you the best of luck, I remember how hard and all-consuming trying to conceive was and I was lucky, I got pregnant 3 times in 9 months! And I was 38! This last one seems to have stuck thankfully and I'm knocking on the door of my third trimester now. Baby girl due 25th Sep. Fingers crossed for you xx

[TCoys28]

Thanks for getting back to me Megal.

I was planning on pressing the button at 07:00 this morning. That way I can still test from 04:00 and until 10:00 on my days off!

I know what you mean about other kits. Not once did I ever get a positive result.

It probably doesn't help me bring overweight either. I've been trying so hard to lose weight, but I can't seem to shift anything. My GP did describe me some pills to help with weight loss, but at the same time they advised me not to try for a baby whilst taking them! So I decided not to take them!

It is making me feel low and down, which is why I have decided to use the monitor after reading all the great reviews.

I really hope it works for me, otherwise I'll be gutted!

Congratulations by the way x

[meglet]

Sorry, that won't work as that's assuming three hours either side i.e. a six hour window. You don't get six hours you get three. 07.00 might be still be the best option or you.

I was overweight too (more so now unfortunately!). Make sure your taking the Pregnacare Conception vitamins, they come in a pack for both man and woman. Men need to boot their sperm too. Has his sperm been tested? I went to the Zita West Fertility Clinic between my first and second pregnancy to have my ovulation count tested. It was higher than average for my age but, at 38, still low. They highly recommended taking a good quality vitamin D supplement, in droplet form if you can find it. I googled it and found great success stories of practically infertile women getting pregnant with it. My first two pregnancies came about during or just after a sunny holiday.

Do check out www.fertilityfriend.com too.

[TCoys28]

I'm confused (doesn't take much). I thought if I press it at 7am (which I already have), I still have 3hrs either side?! Am I not understanding this testing window thing?

The only thing I have been taking is folic acid. I didn't even think to take other things. I will look into the other things you have mentioned. I have been told that I am ferrous sulphate deficient and have to take the pills, but I haven't. They were giving me very bad stomach cramps in the middle of the night and bad constipation. You're going to tell me now that I should take them right?

Hubby hasn't ever had a sperm count check and I haven't had my ovulation count checked (didn't know I could to be honest).

I have registered to fertilityfriend.com, but have t had a chance to check it out properly. They have been sending me emails about some course though?!

[TCoys28]

Sorry about all the questions. I just want to get all the advice I can.

I really appreciate the advice/help

[meglet]

Really sorry,you are completely right. Setting it at 07.00 is correct as you do get a six hour window (I just checked the instructions). So you're good to go.

My thoughts -

- Take Pregnacare Conception for men and woman
- Take a Vit D supplement
- If you can spare £130 get your anti-mullerian hormone tested. At the Zita West Clinic you order the blood testing kit online so you can just pop to your docs or hospital and get some blood drawn and sent off to them for testing. They will do a telephone consultation to give your results and offer advice. This will tell you if you're on a hiding to nothing. If your egg count is really low then you can look at other options.
- Post another question on here asking about ferrous sulphate supplements as someone with more medical knowledge than I will advise. If the tablets upset your tummy that much there may be another answer. I'm not sure if anaemia has any effect on fertility, although any deficiency isn't going to give you the best chance.
- Don't remember about a course on the website, it might be just explaining how to take your basal body temp, but sounds like you know about that already. To be honest testing BBT didn't work for me (and Zita advises against it as she recommends sex three times a week and leave the testing alone). It didn't work for me as I didn't get a rise to show ovulation, but two weeks later I found out I was up the duff!

Happy to help. In fact it's nice to be able to pass on some knowledge as all my friends are sprogged up!