BASAL THERMOMETER + 50 OVULATION/PREGNANCY TESTS+chart

How exactly do you measure a menstrual cycle?

Very simply a menstrual cycle defined as starting on the day of first bleed to the start of your next bleed. So CD12 would be Cycle Day 12 of your cycle and would be 12 days after you first started your period.

What do you mean by a Fertilityplan chart?

Why should I keep a Fertilityplan chart?

There is only a very small window within each cycle when your body releases an egg. This window, which may last only 36 hours, is the only time you can get pregnant during that cycle so knowing how to pinpoint the timing when the egg is released can be very important.

How does a basal digital thermometer help?

Basically there is a slight temperature drop just before ovulation occurs and then a distinct temperature rise of about 0.40 to 1.0 degrees Fahrenheit after ovulation takes place. By plotting your temperature change during your cycle you will know when you have ovulated.

Firstly we supply a Fahrenheit thermometer rather than a Centigrade one for 2 reasons. Firstly if we supplied a Centigrade thermometer then the temperature change would only be about 0.2 of a degree say from 35.0 to 35.2 so identifying any change can be difficult. On our Farenheit thermometer it will show a move from about 97.8 degree to 98.4 degrees so the timing of ovulation is easier to spot. Additionally this thermometer can also be used to check if you/your family have a temperature and it is easy to identify as it is generally known that in Fahrenheit a temperature of over 100.0 signifies a problem or infection.

The reason for 2 decimal places is also to help identify the time of ovulation more easily. Most thermometers measure to just one decimal place so if a Fahrenheit thermometer it would read 96.8 or 97.2. However our thermometer will read 96.77 0r 97.24 so it makes spotting the time of ovulation easier especially if you also use ovulation tests.

But don’t I need to know before I ovulate not after?

Yes, that is why we recommend that this digital basal thermometer is used in conjunction with ovulation tests. Additionally the completion of the Fertilityplan chart will also help identify ovulation timing by noting bodily changes too.

When should I take my temperature?

You should take your temperature, orally under the tongue, every morning before you do anything else - even before you get up!!  Just the act of getting up increases body temperature so keep the thermometer right by the bed. You should then write down the temperature recorded. The temperature rise (spike) takes place shortly after ovulation and will stay slightly elevated until you start your next period.

What other bodily changes should I look for to know when I am about to ovulate?

The consistency of cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Usually after you finish your bleed you will have 3/4 days when you have dry days. The wetness then increases daily usually lasting about 9 days at which point the mucus will become plentiful, slippery, clear and stretchy. The best comparison is that it is like egg whites and at this point it is a good sign that ovulation will occur in the next couple of days. After ovulation occurs the mucus will again become more sticky less stretchy and then dryer again.

How do I get this Fertilityplan chart and what does it look like?

Very simply we will email one to you free of charge when you purchase this item from us. You can then use it on your computer or simply print it out and use it every month. When completed it will look something like this for a typical month:-

When a woman is about to ovulate, her body releases a large amount of a hormone called LH (Luteinising Hormone). LH is always present in your urine but the levels increase (surge) in the middle of your cycle, causing you to release an egg from the ovary. This process is called ovulation. If the LH surge is present, ovulation is likely to occur in the next 12 to 36 hours. Once ovulation takes place the level of Progesterone increases and this causes the temperature rise. This timing will last 14 days exactly so if your period begins consistently below 10 days after ovulation takes place then you should see your doctor to have your Progesterone levels checked as this is a known cause of infertility. We are looking to sell a Progesterone test very soon so check our Shop regularly for details.

Why don’t I only use ovulation tests then?

Every woman can be and is, different. Whilst some women have very regular cycles with perfect LH surges just before they ovulate there are other women who can have their surge within just a few hours and the ovulation tests can miss it. On the other hand some women have a long build up to their surge and then fade slowly over several days so pinpointing exactly when the surge occurred can be difficult. For many of these women using the ovulation tests together with the digital thermometer and physical signs can help determine exactly when ovulation does occur.

In its simplest terms the numbers (e.g. 20 mIU) are just a standardised measurement system that detects the ovulation hormone present in your body. The lower the number the higher the sensitivity. The higher the sensitivity the earlier you will detect if you are about to ovulate.

How good are these tests and what is the expiry date going to be?

We now sell literally millions of these tests in the UK and throughout the world - they are made specifically for us and comply with CE (European Community) and FDA (United States) rules and regulations and every pack has the approval details printed on them. We sell them to some of the largest organisations such as the UK National Health Service (NHS). The tests we supply to the NHS are identical to the ones we sell to you and every batch is checked religiously for quality and accuracy - they are more than 99% accurate. As for the expiry dates, they will always be at least 1 year away and more often nearly 2 years (which is the legal maximum).

What does the test look like and what do I actually receive?

The photograph below shows the foil pack that is used to seal every single test. Also shown is an unused strip test and one which is showing a positive result. Finally the full  instructions are illustrated which includes the free calendar and how to simply work out when to begin testing.

Whether you are trying to get pregnant or trying to keep from getting pregnant, you want to know immediately if you are pregnant or not. The pregnancy tests that we offer are fast, accurate, reliable and an easy alternative when you require immediate and discreet results in the privacy of your own home.

How does a pregnancy test work?

A pregnancy test measures the presence of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) in your urine. HCG is produced in the placenta shortly after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining. This hormone then builds up rapidly in your body in the days following successful conception. 

When should I do the test?

The test can be taken at any time of the day. However, we do recommend that you test first thing in the morning when your urine is most concentrated. Do not drink large amounts of fluid in an attempt to increase the volume of urine as this may dilute the urine making HCG more difficult to detect.

What does the test result look like?

                                                  

                                                                         Pregnant                         Not Pregnant

How long will it take before I can read the result?

You can read the results in under 5 minutes and a positive result can often be seen in under 30 seconds.

What is the difference between home tests and those done by a doctor?

Many doctors and clinics use our pregnancy tests anyway (we supply the whole of the NHS), in which case they are exactly the same. Occasionally, some women may be given a blood test, but they aren’t very different from our pregnancy tests either as both types look for the presence of HCG in your body.

What should I do with my results?

If your pregnancy test results are positive, you should consult your doctor to discuss your pregnancy and what steps and precautions should be taken next. In addition, if your test is negative and you still suspect you may be pregnant, you may want to confirm your test results with another pregnancy test a few days later.

If I see 2 lines but one is fainter than the other is this a positive result?

Yes, if 2 lines appear you are pregnant no matter how faint the lines appear.

Can anything affect the results of these tests?

Drinking alcohol, painkillers, oral contraceptives, antibiotics and other common drugs will not affect the result of these tests. Only medicines that contain HCG can produce a false positive result. If you are unsure about your result or your period has still not arrived you should see your doctor for advice.

What are 10 mIU Ultra Early pregnancy tests and what does it all mean?

It is unfortunate that some eBay sellers claim their tests are ultra early and 10 mIU when they are not. Basically if the outer foil doesn't indicate 10 mIU then they are NOT the Ultra Early highest sensitivity pregnancy tests. We send out the Ultra Early 10 mIU tests as a standard. The number given after the Lot number (-10 or -25) indicates the sensitivity of our tests. Some women on hormone treatments containing HCG may require tests with the lower 25 mIU sensitivity and for those women we will happily send you 25 mIU sensitivity tests - just let us know in the "notes to seller".

A 10 mIU pregnancy test will show a faint line at a level of 10 mIU of HCG (the hormone that is produced in large amounts when you are pregnant). A normal non-pregnant woman is at a level of 5 mIU or less and from the first day of becoming pregnant the level of HCG doubles every day for the first 3 months until the level is at several hundred thousand. The average woman could, therefore, show a faint line only 1 day after conception but if the level started at 1 mIU then it would be 3 days after conception that the line would show. Accordingly it can vary from person to person and the actual day of conception in the cycle can vary slightly depending on the day the egg was released from the ovary, the day it was fertilised and the day the egg implanted. Normally we would say that these tests would be certain to show a positive result 6 days after conception. On the 7th day the line would be much darker and so on. Having said that we have had women say they showed positive after only 2 days!! The risk of testing too early being that the test could be a 'chemical pregnancy' as the fertilised egg may fail and turn out to be just a heavier period than normal. Experts estimate that up to 50% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage and many of these manifest themselves as slightly later or heavier periods.

Fertilityplan help and advice

We believe that it is important to try and provide all the help and advice you may need both in planning for pregnancy and to ensure things go smoothly during your pregnancy so we have set up a special web-site that will hopefully answer most questions you may have. We welcome feedback on ways you feel we can improve on this service. We used to list the links here but eBay rules state we are not permitted external links and have refused to allow the links so if you want to get more information on any of the following please Email us at fertilityplan@aol.com and we will send you all the links:-

INFORMATION ABOUT OVULATION AND THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE, INFERTILITY, POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME, AMNIOCENTESIS, ANTENATAL CARE, CHLAMYDIA AND PREGNANCY, GROUP STREP B (GBS) AND SAFEGUARDING YOUR BABY, FULL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TESTS AND MUCH MORE INCLUDING WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING A BABY SUCH AS DIET AND THINGS TO AVOID.