Can you recommend

[vmars]

I started off using the cheap OPKs from Walgreens, but they were more difficult to interpret, IMO. Instead I ordered the CBE digital OPKs and they've worked out great so far. You can buy them off Amazon or Target for $35 which includes 20 test sticks. If you know generally when you O they can last more than one month.

I bought the generic Rite Aid BBT and it's treated me well so far. It beeps but it's not super loud or anything. I think it was $10?

HPT...I've used FRER and so far so good. I asked DH to pick me up a cheapie PG test one day and he got me the blue dye ones, they can be a little harder to read b/c it sometimes looks like there is a "second line". So def. go with the pink dye if you can.

[vmars]

Oh and if you haven't already pick up some pre-seed...it's lube safe to use while ttc...most normal lubes kill sperm.

[vmars]

No you can't use the reader after you finish with the test strips. However each box comes with a reader, I don't think they sell them separately for that reason.

[VillainV]

I used Wondfos that I bought on Amazon. I bought a bundle of 50 OPKs + 20 HPTs for like $24 I think? It's just the strip...you have to pee in a cup then dip the strip into the pee. But they're very effective, and cheap.

[litasail]

Here's what I used:

BBT - www.amazon.com/Nexcare-524560-Basal-Digital-Thermometer/dp/B006F5BCLA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362244667&sr=8-1&keywords=basal+body+thermometer

OPKs - www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Step-Ovulation-Strips-50-Count/dp/B004IJHDN6/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1362244698&sr=1-4&keywords=wondfo

HPTs - www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1362244698&sr=1-5&keywords=wondfo

[thoseareradishes]

I use wondfo opks from Amazon, and check a positive with a digital opk (a lot cheaper this way, especially before you get the hang of it). I dip them in plastic dixie cups.

I have the Mabis thermometer from Walmart (also available on Amazon).

I have only used the wondfo HPTs. Avoid blue dye- the evap lines can look positive.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a good read and will get you started on charting. I use Fertility Friend to track everything, it is available as a mobile app too.

[thoseareradishes]

I would start temping as soon as you get your thermometer, to get into the habit. Otherwise, temping during your period is optional- some do, some like a break.

How long are your cycles usually? There is a chart on the wondfo directions about when to start. I usually start about day 7 or 8, since I ovulate early, between CD10 and 14. Since they are cheap, if it were me, I'd start around then, and use one per day until they start to get a little darker, then do twice a day. The test line has to be as dark or darker than the control line. Some people have a fade in pattern and some don't though. It will probably take a cycle or two to figure out your pattern. Now that I know mine, I only test once/day, in the morning.

[vmars]

Yes start temping as soon as you get the thermometer. I would probably start earliest at cycle day 10 with opks unless you notice fertile cm earlier than that.

[tarheels]

You don't need a BBT if you have a digital thermometer at home already and it does two things: 1) gives you at least 1 decimal place and 2) registers both even and odd decimal places. You temp so that you can see a pattern and notice when your temp jumps up after O - you don't need two decimal places or a special thermometer to do that. So much TTC info is from the '80s and early '90s when this temping/charting thing first started to take off that that's why it recommends a BBT, bc digital thermometers weren't common/didn't have the above features. My thermometer is just a normal one, a Reli-On from WM.

I told another poster that for OPKs, it's good to learn on the CBE. The digital thing will read the strips for you and then you should look at the strips to see what positive strips look like when you get the smiley face. Then graduate to the Wondfos when you know how dark your positive strips are. After a couple months, you won't need OPKs at all if you have a regular cycle bc you'll learn your body.

I think the Wondfo HPTs are fine. A line is a line is a line for those, so any of them are fine.

[lola]

I use a regular digital thermometer. Like a PP said, it's just as good as a BBT (will tell you the same thing) but you can get them cheaper because they're not being marketing to women who are really, really hoping to get pregnant or NOT get pregnant. I hated the Wondofo OPKs because I found them hard to use. After a few cycles of charting you'll feel pretty confident knowing when you're going to O. I use one OPK per month, maybe two.

Avoid the blue dye. It's just not as reliable and in this particular case you want to know that your results are accurate, amiright?! Go with the cheapies here. Wondofo is great for PTs. If you get a +, go get a name brand to confirm or to give you a better picture if you need it for your scrapbook or Facebook page ( ). If you're like most women that are TTC you'll go through multiple per month, so buy the cheap ones and only spend the big bucks when you want to confirm good news.

[thoseareradishes]

I've rarely had a problem reading a wondfo OPK, but I get pretty clear positives and a fade-in pattern. Last cycle I got an early positive, so I checked with a digital. IMO, its cheaper/makes more sense to learn to use wondfo opks and check a possible positive with a digital, rather then spend so much on digital opks (you could easily go through a box of 20 in a month, especially if testing twice a day), but everyone needs to do what they feel comfortable with.

[statlerwaldorf]

I have this thermometer:http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mabis-basal-display-digital-thermometer%2c-fahrenheit/ID=prod6041962-product?ext=gooMedicines_ampersand_Treatments_PLA_Thermometers_ampersand_Mediscopes_prod6041962_pla&adtype={adtype}&kpid=prod6041962&sst=71c428b1-4e78-29e8-830d-000037423774

It gets the job done. It recalls the last temperature. It doesn't have a back light.

For HPTs, I like Dollar Tree tests. I got a bfp at 13 dpo. It was faint, so at that point I used a FRER just to feel better about the results I guess. At 14 dpo, the Dollar Tree test was very obviously a bfp. I like FRER, but they are expensive. I have gotten faint lines on the blue dye tests that were bfns, so I wouldn't use them.

[tarheels]

Hey swizz, the Wondfos really were showing completely negative for you when the FRERs were positive? Good to know.

[pinupgirl]

I use wondfos from Amazon and Mabis thermometer from Walmart.

[belovedbride07]

I have two different thermometers from CVS (left one at a relative's house -- oops! -- and had to buy a back-up); one is purple with a flexible tip, and one us white and all hard plastic. The flexible one is more comfortable, but it seems like it takes longer, so I use the white one. They both store the temp and have no backlight.

I have Wondfo OPTs and HPTs.