‘I got pregnant after using ovulation tests’
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Mum Rosi shares her experience of using ovulation tests, and why she recommends them to anyone who is TTC
Not everyone has a straightforward pregnancy journey, with around 1 in 7 couples having difficulty conceiving according to the NHS.
Rosi Kelly, 35, and her husband Alex struggled to get pregnant with their second child. The couple, who live in Surrey, decided to take steps to find their ‘fertile window’, and boost their chances.
Here’s her story:
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‘Each month was becoming more stressful than the last’
‘We fell pregnant with my first son without the need for any “trying”. Given that we had such great luck the first time around we assumed we would be the same when we were ready for number 2. Unfortunately, our optimism faded after 6 months when I still wasn’t pregnant.
I knew the NHS stats: for couples under 40 having regular sex, there’s an 8 in 10 chance you’ll get pregnant within a year. We were doing everything right but what we were doing obviously wasn’t working.
'Double your chances of getting pregnant'
Each month was becoming more stressful than the last, and I knew we needed to make a change. I had an idea when I was ovulating each month but decided to start understanding my exact ‘fertility window’ to be sure.'
Friends had used Clearblue® Advanced Digital Ovulation Tests and got pregnant soon after, so Clearblue seemed the obvious choice for me to use. The test monitors 2 key fertility hormones and can double your chances of getting pregnant*. So the day my period arrived (again), I grabbed a pack from the chemist.
*In first cycle of use vs not using ovulation tests
‘TTC can be lonely’
We read the Advanced Digital Ovulation Test instructions and felt confident we knew how to use them, and what the results meant.
Each month I looked out for the Clearblue test smiley face: if it’s a flashing smiley face, this shows your high fertility days and when it becomes a static smiley face, it is your peak fertility days. I felt miles better just taking the guesswork out of it, and actually knowing when I was most fertile.
Trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant is an incredibly lonely place to be. The tests helped me take some control by knowing what my body was doing, and where I was in each cycle.
I also found there’s a really great TTC community spirit in Netmums forums and I logged in most days to chat to other people, comparing cycles and results. I definitely recommend finding people to talk to, and realising you’re not alone.
‘Excited but anxious’
When my period was late, I did a pregnancy test. Seeing the positive result, I felt excited but anxious. We’d had a long build up to this point and some sad losses along the way.
My pregnancy felt like something fragile that might be taken away. But as the weeks went by without any problems, we began to feel excited and started to plan for the future.
Our son was born last month and I’m now embracing beautiful chaos! Juggling a 4 year old and a newborn means I need to stay organised but I’m enjoying precious moments with both my sons.
I love watching my eldest with the baby, he's so proud, and I can't wait to watch them grow up together.
I’d 100% recommend Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Tests to other parents. They helped us without a doubt.
I can't promise every parent using them will be so lucky, but I do think that using the ovulation tests gave me some control and that made a huge difference to my mental health throughout my TTC journey. I’d recommend them for that alone.’
How do Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test work?
Clearblue is the No. 1 Doctor-recommended brand**. The Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation test tracks 2 key fertility hormones, estrogen and luteinising hormone, to identify both your high and peak fertility days.
This gives you the chance to plan ahead and have more opportunities to get pregnant. A smiley face even appears on your fertile days so you know the timing is right!
The test gets rid of the guesswork and typically identifies 4 or more fertile days.^
Please note: Please note: Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test is not intended for contraceptive use or if you do not have menstrual cycles. It is not suitable if you have recently been pregnant, reached menopause, have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or are taking certain fertility drugs. Women with medically diagnosed fertility problems should ask their doctor if the product is suitable for them.
**No 1 brand most recommended in a survey of doctors in the UK (data on file)
^In a study of 87 women, 4 or more fertile days were identified in 80% of cycles using actual cycle length (2012)
