Showing posts with label conception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conception. Show all posts

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

REVIEWS: Pre-seed and Softcups!

As always i MUST talk about some new TTC products that Ive been using!  This week Ive chosen the Instead Soft Cups and Pre-seed







Where to buy these Products
I bought both of these products with a credit card via the Early-Pregnancy-Test website. I chose this site in particular because I have purchased other products from them and have come to love/trust the site.  There are many other places you can get both products such as amazon, etc... Your local adult store might even have the pre-seed!

Costs
I bought these two products in the same shipment.   Right now on early-pregnancy-tests.com you can get the pre-seed with applicators with 2 free pregnancy tests!  Thats what i chose and this deal can be found here. Shipping is free on orders over $14.99 and $2.99 for orders otherwise.

Soft-cups (6pack)- $6.99
Pre-seed w/ 9 applicators and 2 free pregnancy tests - $19.99
Pre-seed - $19.99

Since i bought both items my shipping was free!  The total cost i paid was $28.49


What you receive
My package took about a week to get here.  I am in Canada and this order is from a USA company.  International orders take longer due to customs etc. When i received my package it was in a plain brown box with discrete labeling (the return address simple says "Online Store").


Inside was 1 order of pre-seed, 1 order of soft-cups 6pack, 2 pregnancy tests,  an instruction sheet on the hcg tests, brochures: on other fertility products, receipt/summary of order, and a special gift: a cute collectors tattoo {apparently they come out with a new one on a monthly basis}





Pre-seed

Oh what can I say about this product :) I think a smily face suits!  As the label states "Seriously fun babymaking".

Details on Pre-seed

For those who don't know Pre-seed as a personal lubricant that is safe for use when trying to conceive.  It has an Isotonic properties which match that of fertile CM.  The pack comes with a 1.4oz tube of the products and 9 disposable applicators.  The applicators themselves have number notches so that you can chose your own amounts.  Pre-seed aids in the transfer of sperm to the cervix and into the uterus. Pre-seed can be especially helpful to women who experience more dryness then others or who do not have good quality CM however anyone can use it.

[lol blogger messed my pic up and i cant fix it]


Using the product
Lets be honest, theres nothing more awkward then getting in the BD mood then suddenly stop and be like "Just wait hunny i need to pull out the lube!" which is why i strongly suggest having the applicator drawn up and ready to go.  However! Please read all directions prior to use.   They clearly state that the product must be used within 30 mins of being drawn up!  So heres some simple steps

1) Clean hands!
2) The applicator will connect to the tube and may be turned into place
3) Draw up disired amount of pre-seed using the numbers provided
4) Insert applicator into the vagina and slowly deposit pre-seed
5) BD!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Findings
The product was easy to use with little mess.  I did have one mishap where i accidentally pushed the applicator before i had it "in" which was unfortunate for my bed sheets.   The product made BDing very FUN {i lack the words to accurately describe this feeling without sounding like a total perv} LMAO  This is my first cycle using pre-seed so I can not say if this helped with conception or not but there are some rave reviews over at the early-pregnancy-tests.com website




SOFT CUPS

Details on the product
Soft Cups was originally designed as an alternative to tampons and pads for menstrual bleeding and you can find more on the use of softcups for periods right here. The pack I got had 6 soft cups which come individually wrapped. Each cups is individually wrapped, disposible, flexible, and body friendly.  In the use of TTC softcups is inserted into the vagina and sits over the cervix after intercourse and hold the sperm close!  It can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time.



Using Softcups
When i first do this product i was scared by the size and texture of the softcup.  It looks HUGE and i couldnt fathom putting that in.  When it came time to use the softcup i was extremely surprised but the results.   It actually went it super easy and i felt nothing.   Once inside softcups can not be felt at all.  Here are some simple steps

*wash your hand and easiest if your sitting upright with legs apart*
1) Squeeze the opposite sided of the ring together
2) Insert into the vagina in a back and down direction
3) The cup mold to the individuals shape and should sit right behind the public bone
4) to remove just hook your finger under the rim and pull out slowly {i find this easier to do if you bare down slightly}

I also must note that the softcup was super easily inserted with the use of pre-seed! The extra lubrication makes for a more slippery environment!

Findings
Super easy to put in and take out.  I could walk around and not worry about the "sperm" coming out.  When i took the soft cup out you will see sperm in the cups (not a pretty sight) so be alert to that.  It can be messy if you don't take the product out slowly and carefully.  Weither or not soft cups worked for me as far as conception is something only time can tell.

To get a better look at what these products look like head over to my Youtube page and a short video is available. 







My final thoughts
I would definitely recommend these products.  They were easy to use and have a good theory behind them and area backed up very well with tons of supporting research

PROS

Pre-seed
  • easy to use
  • applicators provided
  • fun!
  • multi-use tube
  • similar to CM
  • free shipping from ear-pregnancy-tests.com

Softcups
  • easy to insert and remove
  • clear directions
  • unable to feel
  • can be worn for 12 hours
  • can walk around with it
  • individually wrapped
  • safe for your body
  • can also be used for periods
  • inexpensive


CONS

Pre-seed
  • tube is small for $19.99
  • hard to find in stores
  • applicators are wrapped in groups of 3

Softcups
  • looks intimidating
  • not pleasent looking upon removal
  • messy only if not pulled out correctly
  • must pay shipping if bought alone

Cons
- i needed the tests prior to the day i got them - however i am international and should have ordered sooner
- no options for package tracking (and if you were a spaz like me you'd probably check every day!
- credit card needed for orders
- must test several times to get a clear picture - this is a con of ALL OPKs not just this sites

STAY TUNED TO SEE IF I BECOME PREGNANT USING THESE PRODUCTS :)
** info taking through my experience using the Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com products via their website and info packages included with the product**
**personal experiences from my own views only and should be seen strictly as personal opinion.  I can not speak for anyone else using these products**
Links

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Reviews: Internet Ovulation Tests/Strips

To kick off the week I have a new review!  It kind of ties into my last review and controversy over "cheap" test strips.  For the purposes of this review I am using:



Where to but Internet tests strip
These are Internet strips which can be bought with a credit card via the Early-Pregnancy-Test website. I chose this site in particular due to suggestions from other TTCers and it seems to be the most trusted and popular site to buy both pregnancy and ovulation tests. 


Costs
The tests can be bought individual or in large numbers.  Here is a grid for the pricing of the tests:

1 - 9 tests $1.10 each
10 - 19 tests $1.06 each
20 - 49 tests $0.90 each
50 - 99 tests $0.60 each
100 - or more tests $0.55 each

As you can see the more you buy, the cheaper they are - even as low as .55cents per test.   Tests are no more then $1.10 per test.  I had gotten a promotional pack which includes: 25 ovulation tests and 10 pregnancy tests for $24.95 - this deal can be found here.

Shipping is free on orders over $14.99 and $2.99 for orders otherwise.


What you receive
My package took about a week to get here.  I am in Canada and this order is from a USA company.  International orders take longer due to customs etc. When i received my package it was in a plain envelope with discrete labelling (the return address simple says "Online Store".  The whole package looks something like this upon arrival (minus the fact i have opened mine):


Inside was the strips, an instruction sheet on both tests, brochures: on other fertility products, receipt/summary of order, and a special gift: a cute collectors tattoo {apparently they come out with a new one on a monthly basis}
[sorry despite best efforts this pic wouldn't rotate]

[photo borrowed from the Early Pregnancy Tests Website]


Test Details
Each tests comes individually wrapped in foil with an expiration date clearly written on the package alone with the type of test {hcg or Lh}. The tests are very light weight and have a width of 5milimeters.  The tests are 99.9% accurate in predicting an LH surge.


Using the test
When TTCing many women are aware of their cycle lengths.  This can help determine when to starting testing for LH (the hormone used to determine imminent ovulation).  For me i began on CD 16 however i would have started on the CD15 (i received my order on the CD 16). 

The testing process was extremely easy:
1) Collect Urine in specimen cup (i used a clean dixie cup) - Collection is best between 10am-8pm.  For multiple collection days, you should collect urine at same time each day.  The test page says to reduce liquid intake 2 hours prior so the test is diluted. DO NOT collect first morning urine. 
2) remove test from foil package and drop into urine but not past the MAX line, strip can be removed after 5 seconds and lay on flat surface
3) results can appear in as little as 40 seconds but a full 10 mins wait is recommended.  There is a great video on the company's website showing this process here.


Results
As in any Ovulation Test - a positive result is indicated when both control and test lines are of equal colour, OR when the test line is darker then the control line.   A negative would include: no test line, faint test line, test line being lighter then the control line. 

Here is 5 of my own test strips over a period of 4 days:


This is what my results tell me.... My test line became darker and darker from CD 16-18 with CD 18 having the darkest line AND nearly being a positive.  Real life [aka the weekend] took over me and i did not test on CD 19. When i went to test on CD 20 the line was light and almost gone.  This tells me the LH surge is over, and I had ovulated.   I believe i had a positive test later in the day on CD 18 [yes you CAN get a negative earlier and a positive later/ viseverssa] or on CD 19.   Either way I ovulated thereafter.

Ovulation generally occurs 24-48 AFTER you get your positive OPK results.  Saving tests is good for comparison.

Now that I have this information I can use it with my Fertility Chart:
**yes I'm slacking with my temping but Bubzer totally stole my BBT and I have a feeling it ended up in the garbage** but i usually O around CD 18.  Hubby and I had sex on CD 16-19 so I'm hoping this might be it :)  You can see my OPK results listed on the last line. 
My final thoughts
I am a fan of theses tests.  I would use them again and recommend them to a friend. They definitely have my as a future customer.

Pros
- east to use/read
- individual packaging
- variety packs offer great choices for ovulation/pregnancy test combos
- can save for comparison
- reliable
- free gift with purchase
- CHEAP pricing *like*like*like*
- free shipping on orders over $14.99

Cons
- i needed the tests prior to the day i got them - however i am international and should have ordered sooner
- no options for package tracking (and if you were a spaz like me you'd probably check every day!
- credit card needed for orders
- must test several times to get a clear picture - this is a con of ALL OPKs not just this sites


** info taking through my experience using the Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com products via their website and info packages included with the product**

**personal experiences from my own views only and should be seen strictly as personal opinion.  I can not speak for anyone else using these products**

Links

Sunday, 13 May 2012

Mother's Day 2012

I had a good mothers day :)  Here's a quick little summary of the weekends events:

On Friday my mom came to visit.  She was treated to a weekend stay at the Casino Rama Hotel in Rama, ON and we went to visit her there.   She, her "man friend", dh and myself went and ate at the Noodle Bar (BEST Cantonese cuisine EVER) and then did a little gambling.  My limit is/always is/always will be $20.  I ended up walking out with $73 - making $53 extra dollar :) Not a jackpot but better then i went in with.  The boys and I went home late.  

Saturday we all met back up at the hotel, this time I had gotten a room as well.  It was my baby sister and brothers birthday as well as mothers day so gifts were exchanged.   Mom and I went shopping while everyone took an afternoon nap - spent HOURS waiting for that women to try on clothes (now I know how most DHs feel when shopping with women).  In the evening we had cake and a big pizza dinner!  Then the adults went to the cinema to catch a late show. We settled to bed late again, but the baby ended up waking up around 5am, the poor dear had a high fever.  He got to sleep with mama the rest of the morning.  The temperature has remained all day, he has had moments of feeling better but he looks so sad and sick :(

My sick bebes:

It was a busy but simple weekend I'd say.  This week is going to be crazy, i have my big interview tomorrow!!!!  Think ill play a little Warcraft before bed!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

p.s. Took an OPK - I am on CD 11 here is a pic, its really hard to see but I'm clearly NOT ovulating,  this is a negative test.  There are 2 lines, one is really really light pink.  FYI: A positive test would should 2 lines equal in colour, or the test line would be darker!  Hopefully my Internet OPKs will be in tomorrow!