girls....when you are testing for ov with the cheapies - what does it mean if you get a line, but it isn't darker? does it just mean nothing - or that OV is approaching soon? it was darker last night than the night before.....i thought i would ov this weekend so it would make sense - but just not sure how to read them?

LH levels can fluctuate before ovulation, it could mean ovulation approaching or it could just be a random fluctuation.

I seem to have the exact same problem. I don't think it at all works for me. I had times when I had a faint line on day 12 then nothing next day and again a line the day after. I thought perhaps I wasn't ovulation at all as it said on the packet the line has to very strong, the faint one doesn't count. But as I posted on "Ovulation" post, one month I had progesterone levels taken in the hospital and they said I ovulated on the day 9, which is completely different. I'm now thinking about giving up and just try to have regular BD straight after period up until day 20 or so..

it is really confusing isn't it? do you temp? i am going to do it next cycle if i don't get a BFP (Which i will of course!) - i meant to do it this month but forgot to buy a thermometre! maybe that would give us a better idea?

No, I don't. Perhaps I should, but I read that you have to do it every day before you get out of bed. It may sound silly, but it feels like a quite a commitment. I know myself, I will not wake up early enough and it'll be worthless. I find even OPK's where hard. You have to do it at the same time of the day and not to drink... How long have you been ttc?

we've been ttc since december - 2 early mc since then though so it's not been an easy couple of months. this cycle is my first one after last mc so not sure if this will be a normal one. GP said it is one of those "suck it and see" things - could ovulate at normal time, or could be a bit later! i am cramping though and have sore boobs (which is a bit mad) so am hoping that ov is on its way. I know what you mean about the temping - but if nothnig happens this month i am going to try it and see how i get on. Will perhaps hide the thermometre under my pillow so i literally have to wake up at a certain time, do it and have a bit longer to snooze!
How long have you been ttc?

I recently read that we always have some levels of LH in our system so there may always be a faint line, which cleared up some confusion for me - I always saw a faint line so I didn't think those tests were working for me! The same article said the line should be as dark as or darker than the control line for the surge.

We have now been ttc for 11 months, probably not a very positive example for you. I've also had very early 2 m/c. One in May 06 and another in March 07. Both times we concieved straight away! So I'm a bit confused this time, why on earth is it taking so long? Perhaps I'm stressing and worrying too much. But as we don't have any children yet, I guess I'm really scared. But I can see you already have 2 kids and in this last 4 months have been pregnant twice, so I'm sure it'll happen quite soon for you. I don't want to start temping because I'm worried it'll just add to a stress, few months back I felt like a baby making machine, it took all the fun out of it and I'm sure the body gets really tense and it's absolutely worthless.

Try not to get too stressed about it - it took us 2 years to get pregnant the first time, and i am certain that had a lot to do with how stressed out i was. have you been to see your gp and had all the tests done - my gp just took bloods to check i was oving ok - and then it was really hard to get my OH to go and get his spermies checked. everything was fine though - and it really helped to put my mind at rest that we were ok and it was just going to take time.
Good luck though this cycle - we have to try and stay positive otherwise we would all be insane!

Thank you so much!!! I guess I mostly stress about my age! And who knows we may want 3 as well! When will I ever do it in this rate? LOL )
I've had lots of testing done after 2nd m/c and now again as I demanded them so hard. All the FSH, progesterone etc.. hubbies sperms too. Thankfully, it is all fine!!! I've got a scan on Friday to check me physically and I'm actually booked for a fertility specialist on 29th of May. Hubbie is so positive, bless him. I'm due this Sunday 13th. So fingers crossed for the next cycle!!! For you too!!