Below are snippets of information which I have learnt along the way that have helped us significantly:

• There are only a few days each cycle (each month) when conception is actually possible.
  
• You should take Folic Acid 3-6mths before trying to conceive.
  
• You may want to give yourself plenty of time when trying to pinpoint your cycle e.g. 6mths to 12mths before you actually want to conceive. This is because you only get one shot per month and it can take a while to get consistent results, especially if you need to try a few months per method to see which works best for you.

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METHODS TO PREDICT WHEN YOU OVULATE

1) OPK - Ovulation Prediction Kit: There are many different kinds of ovulation predictor kits on the market. Most work by measuring the level of luteinising hormone (LH) in your urine. LH levels rise about 24 to 36 hours before ovulation takes place. You need to estimate your approximate time of ovulation if you're to use these kits effectively.

• Each kit contains approx 5 tests (1 per day) and each test can only be used once.
• Costs between $16 and $30
  

2) Maybe Baby: Maybe Baby is a mini microscope. It works as the increased oestrogen levels which occur in the period around ovulation can be identified by examining dried saliva. As the saliva dries the hormone causes a fern-leaf pattern to develop and this pattern can be seen through the Maybe Baby microscope.

• Can be reused
• Costs about $80
  

3) Fertility Charting or Basal Body Temperature Charting: Fertility charting involves observing and recording your fertility signs so that you can easily see your daily fertility status and identify your most fertile time.

This is one of the oldest and most basic of fertility tests, involving the woman measuring her body temperature every morning throughout her cycle and creating a chart which indicates when, and if, she ovulates. Approximately 24 hours before ovulation occurs there is a fall in body temperature, followed swiftly by a recognisable rise (accompanying a rise in the hormone progesterone) which usually indicates ovulation.

• Basal Thermometer costs $40
• Can be reused

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What happen for us....

• I first started with OPK, but after 3mths of testing (for many days either side of when I "thought" I should be testing) I was unable to get any indication of ovulation.
• Then I tried Maybe-baby for 3mths and still no results... so for 6mths NOTHING :(
  • This subsequently caused me to panic and think that OMG I'm not ovulating!!!! So off to my doctor I went.
    
    
  • My doctor informed me that there are simple blood tests, sometimes taken over several days and most usually on day 21 of your cycle, to measure the level of progesterone in the blood. Progesterone rises a few hours after ovulation and peaks about seven days later, so any increase would indicate that ovulation had taken place in that particular cycle.
    
    
  • After a quick bloodtest and a few days wait, my doctor called and confirmed that I was/am a fully functioning ovulating machine :))
    
    
• Out of all of the methods I had greatest success with the "Fertility Charting/Basal Body Temperature Charting" technique.
  • You must use a special Basal Thermometer which you can get from a chemist for approx $40
    
  • You must take the readings everyday and at the same time (give or take 30min)
    
  • You need at least 4-6 cycles (eg 4-6 months) worth of data to really start to see a "pattern" to your cycle
    
  • I charted my cycles for 5mths before trying to conceive, and used a great website called Fertility Friend to record all my details. It automatically generates all the charts/graphs and is full of useful information
    - Fertility Friend Website
    - Fertility Friend Handbook

Using the Fertility Charting or Basal Body Temperature Charting
technique we fell pregnant the first cycle we tried!