One of the blogs I follow is called "infertility blog". Its author is Dr. Liccardi, an IF doctor at NYU. This blog is wonderful because he basically offers free general advice for anyone who leaves a comment on his blog and posts about various topics, all having to do with TTC or IF treatments. It ranges from the most mundane and general, to the most specific and complex. It was actually from reading this blog that I discovered that a uterus shape deformity can cause miscarriages. I learned about a bicornate and septate uterus. It was also after reading this blog that I asked my doctor for a test to see if I had any uterine abnormalities, and as you all know, I then discovered I had a septate uterus. So, in a sense, thank you Dr. Liccardi!
Anyways, today, I read his latest blog entry where he answered many questions posed to him in a general Q&A format style. One of the "answers" (to a question which was not provided) was the following two statements: "Temperature charting was good for the cave people. Please use a predictor kit."
It ressonated with me b/c I am a temperature charter and have gotten pregnant 2x (though I'm still child-less) using this "caveman" approach (guess you could call me lucky??). I have since resisted the temptation to use a OPK because I thought they were unnecessary in my case. However, I wonder if I am living in the caveman days? I wonder if I should move on into the 21st century and finally break down and buy an OPK? Maybe I'll consider it for next cycle.....
Of course, I'm operating in faith that i wont even have to worry b/c there wont be a next cycle. I think this is the last cycle I'll have in order to have a 2009 baby. I've been praying and praying that I'll have a beautiful healthy baby in 2009. I just need to stand on that promise.
I have to disagree with your Dr. L. Not in full, but in part. LH isn't like HCG where its either there or it isn't. LH like progesterone pulses. So there is a chance you can miss your surge on an OPK BUT if you are using an OPK and temping you are at least 99% sure that you have indeed ovulated, or that you haven't as the case may be.
ReplyDeleteSo in my unprofessional opinion don't throw away the thermometer just yet...even if that means we are both living in caves.
I really hope that this cycle is your lucky cycle too. I am sorry that I can't offer any TTC advice as it never worked for me! I'll be following your blog and keeping my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeletehey B, I use the clear blue easy monitor, and I LOVE it....kind of pricey, but you get to use FMU which is important to me since most OPK are to be used in the afternoon and I never know where I will be AND you have to remember to hold your pee :) The monitor has caught my O every month except the one month after one of my mcs. but that said, we got PG twice using it and once on our own....so not too different from your caveman method. I don't temp because I am a terrible sleeper, I wake up on average 3 times every night, at all different times...sorry for the novel, but those are my thoughts :)
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