OvaCue Fertility Monitor

Pinpoint your most fertile time with the all-new OvaCue Fertility Monitor.

Pinpoint ovulation and increase your chances of becoming pregnant with the new OvaCue Fertility Monitor. The OvaCue is an advanced fertility monitor that enables you to predict ovulation up to seven days in advance! It’s easy to use, over 98% accurate, and unlike other urine-based ovulation tests, there’s no mess. That’s because the OvaCue uses saliva samples to measure changes in electrolyte concentration (salinity). By detecting changes in electrolytes in saliva, which are caused by an increase of the hormone estrogen, OvaCue can predict when you will ovulate – the best time for you to conceive your baby.

Key features of the OvaCue Fertility Monitor:

• Over 98% accurate and FDA-approved
• Uses saliva – easy and convenient, no messy urine tests!
• Full-screen color display
• Can be used again and again – no test sticks to purchase

Click here to find out more about the effective OvaCue Fertility Monitor

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Product Demonstration Video

This handy portable fetal doppler detects the fetal heart rate quickly from about 10-12 weeks through labor, and it’s safe and simple to use. The new Hi Bebe BT200 hand held fetal heart rate monitor has been designed to be small and lightweight, yet robust, making it ideal for midwives, doctors and of course, pregnant women.

The Hi Bebe fetal doppler features an audio speaker, plus a clear LCD display of the fetal heart rate. Not only will the sound of your baby reassure you, but you can bond with your baby from the very beginning. With the built in loudspeaker, you can share the miracle with family and friends. Or use the audio output for earphones to lull yourself to sleep with the sound of your baby’s heart beating.

Click to find out more…

The key to this whole dilemma is tracking. Once you know what is normal for you each month you will be able to easily see when something is different. It is when you get to know yourself and your body that you can start to feel empowered. And this is just what you need to keep you from getting unhinged during your luteal phase!

The keys to figuring it all out:

• Find changes in your symptoms

• Find changes in number and frequency of your symptoms

Changes in Your Symptoms

Every month you need to pay attention to your body and keep track of every symptom that occurs. Track each symptom for each day past ovulation. Do this from ovulation day until your period arrives. The idea is to become familiar with what are normal PMS symptoms for you – (since every woman’s signs will be different). This way when you are actively trying to conceive you will be able to easily spot any unusual symptoms that may indicate a forthcoming positive pregnancy test!

Even if you are not actively trying to conceive it is a good idea to track what symptoms you have now so you have a good baseline to compare against when you do start trying.

PMS symptoms that are normal for you many indicate pregnancy in someone else. Again, the key is to find changes in symptoms.

Changes in the Number and Frequency of Your Symptoms

If you are in fact pregnant, you may notice an increase in the types of symptoms you experience or how long normal symptoms last. Many women find they experience a larger array of symptoms as well as having them occur more frequently (i.e.: more days than usual).

Let’s look at some data.

Based on all the data amalgamated from www.countdowntopregnancy.com (which includes well over a quarter of a million symptoms recorded) it shows that during a non-pregnant cycle on average women will experience 41 symptoms (these can be considered normal PMS symptoms). But during the cycles of women who were indeed pregnant the average is much higher at 66 symptoms. So not only are you looking for changes in what symptoms occur but also the number of symptoms and their frequency.

Don’t forget that sometimes things can swing the other way completely. The lack of a particular symptom can be a good sign, but so can a lack of symptoms all together. Sometimes when we are looking too hard for something we fail notice the “lack” of symptoms.

Case Study

Here is an excerpt from one woman’s tracking records. It illustrates how valuable it is to have multiple cycles tracked for comparison.

8 Days Past Ovulation

Notice how on this day past ovulation she experienced nausea and dry mouth during her pregnant cycle, but not in the others. Also notice that during her pregnant cycle she did not experience tender breasts which occurred during both of her non-pregnant cycles.

10 Days Past Ovulation

Here we notice a few new symptoms, including vivid dreams, during her pregnant cycle. Her fatigue continues, when during her non-pregnant cycles this symptom would have disappeared by 10 days past ovulation.

Start Tracking

It’s quick and easy to do – a few minutes a day and you’ll start to understand your body’s signals and patterns.

Create a free symptom tracking account at Countdown to Pregnancy and start tracking your signs and symptoms. Remember, it’s never too early to speculate.

We’d like to welcome a new member to our writing team! JustCallMeTeach will be posting on a variety of Trying to Conceive topics. We look forward to her “straight-forward” approach to life and her sense of humour!

You can see her personal blog by visiting: http://babymaker.wordpress.com

Welcome aboard!

How common is it?

As of January 23rd, 2009 76.6% of Countdown to Pregnancy members used at least one of the following fertility or conception aids:

• Acupuncture
• B6
• Baby Aspirin
• BBT/Charting
• Checking Cervix
• Clomid or Serophene
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Femara/Letrozole
• Fertility Monitor
• Fertility Vitamins
• Fertility Vitamins For Him
• Green Tea
• Injectable Hormones – FSH
• Injectable Hormones – hCG
• Injectable Hormones – hMG
• IUI
• IVF
• Metformin
• Mucinex/Robitussin
• Omega3
• OPKs (Ovulation Predictor Kits)
• OV Watch
• Preseed
• Progesterone
• Saliva Microscope
• Softcup by Instead
• Soy Isoflavones
• Vitex/Chasteberry
• Wheatgerm Oil

Top 5 Fertility Aids Used

Click on the links to find out more.

1. OPKs (Ovulation Predictor Kits) (38.1%)
2. BBT/Charting (36.3%)
3. Checking Cervix (20.5%)
4. Preseed (16.5%)
5. Fertility Vitamins (10.8%)

Click to view the current Top Ten Most Popular Fertility & Pregnancy Aids.

Male Fertility Test

I found this neat testing product for men wanting to test in the privacy of their home. (Why should women have all the testing fun!)

The FertilMARQ™ Home Diagnostic Screening Test provides everything needed to collect and test two separate semen samples. Taking this screening test will indicate if you have a low amount of sperm in your semen. It works by staining the cells in the sperm sample to produce a color. The intensity of this color is then compared to a color reference on the FertilMARQ™ test cassette. The color comparison will tell you whether the sperm concentration in the test sample is above 20 million/mL (positive test) or below 20 million/mL (negative test). 20 million/ml is the minimum fertility standard established by the World Health Organization.

Click to view more product information!

During early pregnancy urine may become darker in colour and/or have a stronger or different smell than usual – be sure to drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses a day). If you are experiencing any pain you should speak with your doctor as it could also be a sign of a urinary tract infection. This change in smell or strength may also be due, in part, to an increased sense of smell some women experience in very early pregnancy.

As of January 18, 2009 this symptom is most commonly reported by pregnant women on 11 days past ovulation with approximately 8.5% of women reporting it.

View the full chart for all days past ovulation ]]> http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2009/01/strong-smelling-urine/feed/ 4 http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/10/runny-nose-in-very-early-pregnancy/ http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/10/runny-nose-in-very-early-pregnancy/#comments Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:34:43 +0000 Countdown to Pregnancy http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog2/?p=102

It may never occur to you that a runny or stuffy nose could be connected with being pregnant, but many women experience cold or flu-like symptoms in early pregnancy. This is due to higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy which can cause swelling in the mucous membranes throughout the body, including the nose.

In very early pregnancy (based on the data submitted to the VEP Symptom Tracker as of October 24, 2008) it is most common on 9 and 10 days past ovulation with 4.4% of pregnant women experiencing it.

Click to view the full graph of Runny Nose – from Ovulation Day to 21 Days Past Ovulation. ]]> http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/10/runny-nose-in-very-early-pregnancy/feed/ 0 http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/09/headaches-early-sign-of-pregnancy/ http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/09/headaches-early-sign-of-pregnancy/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:54:42 +0000 Countdown to Pregnancy http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog2/?p=96

Headaches in pregnancy tend to occur most frequently in the first trimester. Hormone levels rise dramatically in early pregnancy, and can contribute to headaches. Changes in your blood circulation and blood volume during pregnancy can cause increased pressure on your blood vessels. This increase requires greater fluid intake to counteract dehydration, which can be another cause of headaches. Be sure to get at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Low blood sugar could also be the culprit, be sure to eat a healthy well balanced diet, with adequate protein and iron intakes. Avoid foods that can trigger a headache: like chocolate, MSG, cheese and spicy foods. Other possibilities are stress and anxiety or not getting enough rest. Try to take time each day to relax and make sure you get enough sleep.

Our data on September 4, 2008 shows that headaches are most common on 9 days past ovulation with 15.5% of pregnant women experiencing this symptom. Our data also shows that headaches is one of the top ten most common early signs of pregnancy. (View Top Ten Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms)

Click to view the full graph of Headaches – from Ovulation Day to 21 Days Past Ovulation. ]]> http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/09/headaches-early-sign-of-pregnancy/feed/ 0 http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/08/pronounced-veins/ http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/08/pronounced-veins/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:52:17 +0000 Countdown to Pregnancy http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog2/?p=93

Some women report that they notice the sudden appearance of “road map” veins (more prominent blue veins) most often these are most apparent in the breasts. Because of an increased blood supply to your breasts during early pregnancy, these veins may become more visible. Some women also notice a change in the appearance of veins all over their bodies, including arms, stomach and legs.

Based on our data (as of August 28, 2008) this early pregnancy symptoms is most commonly reported on 9 days past ovulation with 8.6% of pregnant women experiencing it.

Click to view the full graph that outlines the reported instances of this symptom for all days past ovulation. (From Ovulation Day to 21 days past ovulation). ]]> http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/blog/2008/08/pronounced-veins/feed/ 0