Thursday, April 8, 2010

Fertile Focus: You Don't Have To Pee On It

Wake up. Stumble into the bathroom. Eyes half closed, fumble around for your ovulation predictor sticks. Pee on the stick. Don’t angle properly and accidently splash yourself in the face. 

Wait five minutes, look at the stick. Is the line darker than yesterday? Is it as dark as the first line? Throw into trash.

Come back an hour later and fish out of trash. Maybe you didn’t look at it closely enough. Is it darker now? Well, sort of. But it also dried a lovely yellow color, so its hard to say. Take another test, just to be sure. Compare the two sticks. Take a third test. Arrange all the sticks in a row on your counter to see if there is a progression. 

Ask your husband to come in and look at this. Does this line look darker to you? You husband asks “Did you pee on all of those?” Gross out your husband completely.

Go out to store and buy another box of ovulation predictors. Repeat.

That’s pretty much the play-by-play of the first three weeks of every cycle for me (if I ovulate, I always ovulate late). Spend a fortune in pee-sticks. Use twice as many as I need in my experiments to test at different times of the day. Freak Adam out by shoving a yellow stick in his face for analysis. You know, the usual.

I’m exhausted. And possibly addicted. Mentally and financially, I needed to pull the plug.

Fortunately, Fertiliaid Amy took pity on me and sent me a Fertile Focus to try out. It’s a microscope. And no, you don’t have to pee on it.

Now I stumble into the bathroom, pull out the little lens and dab some spit on to it and wait for it to dry. Even in my most sleepy, delirious mornings I couldn’t screw it up.

Here’s the 411…

What it looks like: I was imagining some big, middle school biology class type microscope. The whole thing is actually the size of a tube of lipstick.

How it works: You open the tube, and pop out the black lens thing. You flip it over and wipe some spit on the bottom. Avoid getting bubbles on there if you can, those dry all weird and it makes it hard to read later. Also, don’t eat or drink before you spit. First morning spit it the best because it’s the grossest (and gross dries better).

The box says wait at least five minutes. I found I usually needed to wait much longer to get a good view. What I’d usually do is wipe the spit, then go on about my morning… breakfast, shower, get dressed, get ready and then right before I leave for the day I check it out. Replace the black lens thing back in the lipstick tube. Press the button on the bottom to shine a light through the glass. Twist to focus.

I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to tell when the “ferning” happened, but it turns out its pretty easy. It just looks like snowflakes… and the closer you get to ovulation, the thicker and denser the snowflakes get.

Look at it the rest of the day, or clean then retest again later in the day. Once you’re done, drop a little water on there and wipe it off. Easy clean-up to say the least.

One point to note: This month I took Clomid, and I noticed while I was taking the Clomid and for a few days after, I was getting the strong ferning pattern even though I was at the start of my cycle. I think that’s from the rush of hormones from the Clomid. It went back down to normal spit, and then started ferning again around the time I theoretically ovulated.

Pros:

-No need to buy additional tests. You can use the same tube over and over again. Pay for it once and use it forever.
-No pee splash-back.
-You can get your husband in on the action. As opposed to something I peed on, Adam was ok with looking at my little microscope. And since it’s sort of science-y, I think men in general can get into it more.
-No pee drops to clean up off the floor. Well, at least not pee that came from you.
-I can verify with my own eyes what’s going on. I don’t have to rely on a little electronic device or possibly expired stick to relay the message to me. I can decide from my own observations.
-Easy to use.
-Did I mention you don’t have to pee on it?

Cons:

-Can’t keep picture day-to-day to compare versus the prior day. You can write down what you see, but I didn’t. You miss that rainbow of OPKs to compare prior days.
-You have to rely on your own observations. There’s no flashing screen to tell you definitively if you’re ovulating or not.

So, my bottom line: I like it. I’ll continue to use it. It’s easy, its reliable, and its cost-effective. For under $30 (which is usually how much I spend in a month on pee-sticks), you get a dependable and simple ovulation predictor method that you can use month after month.

If you’re super chill but just curious how your body works, use this and nothing else. Bone down as soon as it starts to fern, and keep boning down until the ferning goes away (that’s easy to identify too). Or just keep boning down and make your husband happy. Whatevs.

If you’re super TTC-MustKnowExactlyWhenIOvulate, then use this with something else for the “second opinion”. I’m also using the OV-Watch this month, so it was nice to have something else to go to. And again, I appreciated being able to decide with my own eyes what was going on in my body.


I had trouble finding a picture by itself, but you can see it below here... its that little blue tube in the lower right hand corner...

Products to Help you Conceive

So, here’s the super rad part. Fertiliaid Amy gave me a second one to give to you. Here’s how you can win…

The Rules:

1. Leave a separate comment for each entry.
2. You must have a contact email. If you’ve got yourself set up to that “No Reply” email thing, then you’ve got to leave an email address in one of your comments. M’kay?

Entries:

1. Visit the Fairhaven website and leave a comment here with one product that peaked your interest (1 entry, manadatory).
2. Follow Busted Plumbing on Google Friend Connect (1 entry).
3. Follow @FertiliaidAmy on Twitter (1 entry).
4. Follow @BustedKate on Twitter (1 entry).
5. Tweet this message: “Because I am awesome, I entered @BustedKate's #giveaway for a FREE Fertile Focus microscope! http://bit.ly/aAOc9Q" (1 entry per day, up to 7 additional entries)
6. Blog about the contest (please leave a link to your post) (5 additional entries)

I'll draw a number using the Random Number Generator, sometime on Thursday evening (April 15, 2010)... so you have a full week to rack up as many entries as you can! 

Disclosure: The Fertile Focus microscope was provided to me free of charge to try out. I received no financial remuneration, and my opinion was not influenced in any way by money or any other compensation. Like anyone could influence my opinion anyways.

Thanks for entering, and good luck!!

116 comments:

  1. meggomae@gmail.com

    I visited the Fairhaven website, and I'm really interested in the "Bend, Breathe and Conceive" fertility Yoga DVD...been sort of in the market for one...I'll have to check it out further!

    ReplyDelete
  2. meggomae@gmail.com

    I follow Busted Plumbing on the Google Friend Connect!

    ReplyDelete
  3. meggomae@gmail.com

    Just followed @FertiliaidAmy on Twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  4. meggomae@gmail.com

    I follow @BustedKate on Twitter :-D (SomedayBabyT)

    ReplyDelete
  5. meggomae@gmail.com

    I Tweeted the message :-D

    ReplyDelete
  6. i followed @FertiliaidAmy on twitter

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  7. i think the Fertility Yoga DVD looks pretty cool http://www.fairhavenhealth.com/fertility-yoga-dvd.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. Blog Comment #1

    I blogged about your giveaway: http://babythornburgh.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/giveaway/

    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Blog Comment #2

    I blogged about your giveaway: http://babythornburgh.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/giveaway/

    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Blog Comment #3

    I blogged about your giveaway: http://babythornburgh.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/giveaway/

    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Blog Comment #4

    I blogged about your giveaway: http://babythornburgh.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/giveaway/

    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Blog Comment #5

    I blogged about your giveaway: http://babythornburgh.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/giveaway/

    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm all about the tea on the Fairhaven website...mostly because the first ingredient is Chasteberry and I found that to be particularly hysterical...

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  14. I'm a friend on Google Friend Connect!

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  15. I'm a friend of @FertiliaidAmy on Twitter! @thehoneyb

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  16. I'm a friend of @BustedKate on Twitter! @thehoneyb

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  17. I tweeted! http://twitter.com/thehoneyb/status/11829866530

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  18. I've been wanting to try their fertiltea.

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  19. heartsandhandsservices@gmail.com

    I really love the fertility bracelet! It is exactly what I am looking for to twiddle on my wrist and to give that extra boost through stones

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  20. I'm a follower of @fertileaidamy

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  21. I follow (Kayce Pearson)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I tweeted: Because I am awesome, I entered @BustedKate's #giveaway for a FREE Fertile Focus microscope! http://bit.ly/aAOc9Q

    @domesticprncs

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm a follower of @bustedkate (@heartsandhandss)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I tweeted :) http://twitter.com/heartsandhandss/statuses/11833480091

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  25. I'm a follower of @fertilaidamy (@heartsandhandss)

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  26. Fertile CM - definitely going to try out, thanks to the drying effects of Clomid.

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  27. I follow Busted Plumbing on Google Friend Connect!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow @Fertilaidamy

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  29. I follow @BustedKate

    ReplyDelete
  30. I tweeted the message!

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  31. I am seriously contemplating the FertilAid for Women. Also, this little thing you are giving away as well. Thanks to PCOS, I never know what is happening, and this would be the easiest way to check things daily without having to take out a 401k loan for pee sticks!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am a frequent visitor to the Fairhaven Health website :) and I am interested in the Evening Primrose Oil.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow you on Twitter (emilyisland)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow FertilAidAmy on Twitter (emilyisland)

    ReplyDelete
  35. tweet!
    http://twitter.com/emilyisland/status/11834627128

    ReplyDelete
  36. I followed BustedKate!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I followed FertilAidAmy!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I've blogged about your contest here: http://sgharris08.blogspot.com/

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  39. The fertility bracelet looks great!

    sarahansman at yahoo dot com

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  40. And of course twitter is done through @BecomingGrace

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  41. FertilAid Value Pack sounds good!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow fertilityAidAmy @thepeachrainbow

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow you on Twitter @thepeachrainbow

    ReplyDelete
  44. tweet;
    http://twitter.com/thepeachrainbow/status/11835451411

    ReplyDelete
  45. mrsjd209@gmail.com

    I am very interested in the "Bend, Breathe and Conceive Yoga" DVD.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I am following @BustedKate on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  47. I tweeted this message: Because I am awesome, I entered @BustedKate's #giveaway for a FREE Fertile Focus microscope! http://bit.ly/aAOc9Q

    ReplyDelete
  48. I am following @FertilaidAmy

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  49. I have to admit that the microscope is the coolest. I just found out about this method last month and really want to give it a try. I guess the fertility bracelet and yoga mat couldn't hurt either...I've tried all the other stuff :(

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  50. I follow through google!! And I forgot my email on the last post. lol.

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I follow fertilaid on twitter
    @fabmom1979

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I follow bustedkate
    @fabmom1979

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I tweeted!!
    @fabmom1979

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. following FerilAid Amy
    peachesncream1976@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. following BustedKate through twitter
    peachesncream1976@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Follow Busted Plumbing

    peachesncream1976@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Twitted about contest
    peachesncream1976@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Went to Fairhaven Health and am interested in FertilAid for Women and Men.
    peachesncream1976@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I blogged about this giveaway

    http://fabsavings.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-heads-up.html

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I blogged about this giveaway

    http://fabsavings.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-heads-up.html

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I blogged about this giveaway

    http://fabsavings.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-heads-up.html

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I blogged about this giveaway

    http://fabsavings.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-heads-up.html

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I blogged about this giveaway

    http://fabsavings.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-heads-up.html

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I'm interested in the Fertility Yoga DVD!
    beccaann38@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Following @FertiliaidAmy on Twitter!
    beccaann38@hotmail.com
    twitter/beccaann38

    ReplyDelete
  66. Following @BustedKate on Twitter!!!
    beccaann38@hotmail.com
    twitter/beccaann38

    ReplyDelete
  67. tweeted about the giveaway!
    http://twitter.com/beccaann38

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  68. sounds like something fabulous that I want to try. missangelbabyj@aol.com

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  69. I visited the website....Want to try the FertiliTea

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  70. I follow busted plumbing of course!

    ReplyDelete
  71. I follow @FertiliaidAmy on twitter

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  72. I added both twitters at @nicdesign. I am adding a comment here as well. Love to win it.

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  73. oh email is: greendesign3372@yahoo.com or nicole@silveracorndesigns.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Daily tweet

    @fabmom1979

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I did the required tweet (SomedayBabyT)

    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I tweeted http://twitter.com/heartsandhandss/statuses/11902506254

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  77. tweeted how awesome i am! :)

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  78. i've already been following you, does that count :)

    ReplyDelete
  79. Well, besides trying the giveaway product, the fertility DVD sounds really neat!

    My email is fertilitynerd@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. following fertileaid on Twitter (@fertilitynerd)

    ReplyDelete
  81. Following BustedKate on Twitter (@fertilitynerd)

    ReplyDelete
  82. Sent out the contest tweet!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Daily tweet :) Can you tell I want this BAAAADDDD!!!???? lol.

    @fabmom1979

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. tweet!
    http://twitter.com/emilyisland/status/11942979019
    ebickell at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  85. Daily tweet :)

    @fabmom1979

    tlosmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I really want to try:
    http://www.fairhavenhealth.com/ovacue.html

    ReplyDelete
  87. I follow Busted Plumbing on Google Friend Connect.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I follow FertilAidAmy on Twitter. @ahmymarriedlife

    ReplyDelete
  89. I follow you on Twitter as well. @ahmymarriedlife

    ReplyDelete
  90. I tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/ahmymarriedlife/status/12002054003

    ReplyDelete
  91. I tweeted again! http://twitter.com/thehoneyb/statuses/12002187023

    ReplyDelete
  92. I would love to have this to use! My email is overbar20@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I follow your blog ( and love it!)

    ReplyDelete
  94. I put up the tweet! (SomedayBabyT)

    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. Yay for giveaways right : ) I am super interested in the Bend, Breathe & Conceive Yoga DVD.. I think that looks really awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  96. I already follow you on Google Friend, duh! : )

    ReplyDelete
  97. And I already follow you on Twitter (holycowirock)

    ReplyDelete
  98. I just tweeted about your giveaway too!

    http://twitter.com/holycowirock/status/12061142333

    ReplyDelete
  99. i like the ovacue...that would be cool to have.

    ReplyDelete
  100. i follow u on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  101. I just blogged about your giveaway!

    http://pouringoutmyinsides.blogspot.com/2010/04/ttc-monday.html

    ReplyDelete
  102. I tweeted again :-D (SomedayBabyT)
    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  103. I posted the tweet...again! Hope I win!

    SomedayBabyT
    meggomae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. I blogged about the giveaway! http://rimondoula.blogspot.com/2010/04/bustedplumbing-fertile-focus-give-away.html

    ReplyDelete
  105. Blog comment #2 http://rimondoula.blogspot.com/2010/04/bustedplumbing-fertile-focus-give-away.html

    ReplyDelete
  106. Blog comment #3
    http://rimondoula.blogspot.com/2010/04/bustedplumbing-fertile-focus-give-away.html

    ReplyDelete
  107. Blog comment #4
    http://rimondoula.blogspot.com/2010/04/bustedplumbing-fertile-focus-give-away.html

    ReplyDelete
  108. Blog comment #5
    http://rimondoula.blogspot.com/2010/04/bustedplumbing-fertile-focus-give-away.html
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  109. I tweeted about the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Tweeted :) http://twitter.com/heartsandhandss/statuses/12267358611

    ReplyDelete