It Worked Brilliantly For Us!
Written: Jan 07 '04 (Updated Feb 15 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use. Convenient. Worked brilliantly for us!
Cons: Hubby somewhat upset that we didn't have to "try" for very long before we conceived.
The Bottom Line: A great way to determine the days you are most likely to become pregnant. We liked it so much we're using it again!
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| mizgnomer's Full Review: First Response 1 Step Ovulation Predictor Test |
My family has a history of difficulty conceiving. After 5 years of trying my parents had given up hope and put themselves on an adoption waiting list before I finally decided to show up, surprising everyone. Sadly, my father's sister gave up her quest to have a child after many years of expensive in-vitro fertilization attempts. Having inherited a lot of my father's family traits, I was convinced I was going to have as much luck conceiving as his sister did. That's why when my husband and I decided we wanted to bring a child into this world, we used an ovulation predictor kit from the get-go.
We went with the First Response 1-Step Ovulation Predictor Test, and it worked wonders for us. I was able to conceive my beautiful boy after only 2 months of trying! That time-span greatly exceeded my expectations, so I have nothing but fabulous things to say about the product!
A few years later we decided it was time to start trying for child #2. We were so spoiled by our excellent results the first time around that we decided to use the predictor tests again, and just like the first time it only took 2 months of trying to become pregnant. How fabulous is that!?!
Why Does it Work?
A luteinizing hormone (LH) is always present in female urine, but the amount increases just before ovulation. When the LH surge triggers ovulation, an egg is released from one of the ovaries -- meaning that just after the LH surge a woman is at her most fertile.
The First Response 1-Step Ovulation Predictor Test detects the LH surge, which precedes ovulation by 24-36 hours. A woman's two most fertile days begin with the LH surge itself -- so if you want a child having intercourse in the 2 days after you test positive is your best bet.
According to laboratory studies, the First Response 1-Step Ovulation Predictor Test is accurate 98.5% of the time.
What is included in the kit?
The base kit contains 5 "test-sticks" and some very detailed instructions for performing the tests. Both times I've purchased the kits they have come chock-full of money saving coupons for additional ovulation predictor kits and pregnancy tests.
The first time I purchased the kit (just over 3 years ago) it also contained two additional "bonus" ovulation predictor tests, bringing the total to seven tests. The last time I purchased a kit (a few months ago) it also contained one First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test (handy for determining whether or not the ovulation predictor kit worked for you) as well as a coupon book for savings on other baby products. Apparently the kits always include extras, but which extras you get may vary.
What does the test-stick look like?
Just over 5 inches long, an individual test-stick consists of a white plastic shell with a thumb-grip on one side, while on the other side a clear-plastic overcap protects the actual test-strip's absorbent tip. Mid-way up the plastic casing is a "result window" where you determine the results of the test.
Using the Test
The first step to using the tests is determining when you should start using them. Since only 5 tests are included in the box, you should attempt to figure out your most fertile days in advance, then test to confirm them. Women should determine the length of their normal menstrual cycle (with the first day of bleeding/spotting as day 1). After you have your average cycle length, you use their handy chart to determine which day you should start testing. You should test once a day at roughly the same time each day until your LH surge is detected. You can test any time of the day -- "Morning urine" is not required (although it would work too).
To use, you remove the test from its foil wrapper and remove the clear plastic cap from the test strip. You can choose to do the test by holding the absorbent tip in your "urine stream" for 5 seconds, or you can do what I do and capture some urine in a clean, dry cup and immerse the tip in the cup for 5 seconds. You then replace the clear overcap (to protect the absorbent tip and keep it from dripping on anything) and lay the stick on a flat surface with the "result window" facing up.
Your results become apparent within 5 minutes. Just after you've taken the test you can see a purple dye moving across the clear top of the test. Either one or two lines will appear in the window -- one is a reference line and the other is your test line. You will see either:
** 1 dark purple line -- if you only see one line that is the reference line and you have not reached your LH surge yet.
** 1 dark purple line at the top, one lighter line at the bottom -- this means you still have not reached your LH surge, and should continue testing the next day.
** 2 similar purple lines -- you have detected your LH surge. Your testing line may be even darker than the reference line. When both lines are the same or the test line is darker than the reference line, you can stop testing for this cycle.
** No lines -- the test is invalid, which might be due to insufficient urine on the absorbent tip. You should test again with another stick.
The test results can be read for up to 1 hour after the test was performed.
Limitations of the Test
Some prescription drugs (such as menotropins and danazol or therapy with Clomiphene citrate) may affect the test results. Some rare medical conditions or the onset of menopause may also cause elevated LH levels.
Do not freeze the test, or store them anywhere with a temperature higher than 86°F (30°C).
Remember that any ovulation predictor test should not be used as a birth control method. Sperm can survive for up to 72 hours (3 days), and the ovulation predictor alerts you to ovulation only 2 days in advance -- thus you could have intercourse 1 day prior to your surge and still conceive.
Additional Information:
First Response has a toll-free customer information staff available for questions and concerns about the test.
I have seen the kits available in many stores -- Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Walgreens, and various other drugstores. The discount stores tend to sell it for as much as $5-10 cheaper than the drugstores.
Our Experiences:
As I mentioned, I was expecting months or even years trying, all while worrying about whether or not I could actually conceive because of my family history. The First Response 1-Step Ovulation Predictor Test helped us to become pregnant after only 2 months of trying (although perhaps that could be viewed as a negative, if you're looking forward to lots of "trying"). As it was, we were so spoiled by being able to accurately pinpoint the optimum time I could become pregnant that we decided to use the test again when it came time to try for child #2. We really want our kids to be approximately 3 years apart, but our window-of-opportunity was shortened when I had to get an immunization that could be harmful to a fetus and thus made it necessary for us to wait an additional 3 months before attempting to conceive.
Because I have an irregular cycle (there is not a set number of days between them each month), I was afraid I would need more than the average number of tests, however the instructions recommend taking an average of your last 3 months' cycles to determine when to start testing. When I did that I really lucked out and typically ended up only needing between 2 and 3 tests before I got a positive result.
I'm not a huge fan of attempting to hold tests in a "urine stream" to get results, so I was thrilled to read in the instructions that a cup could be used to capture the urine first. I had been afraid that using a paper cup might affect the chemical balance of the urine and cause an invalid test result, so I wasn't going to use one until I read that you could in the instructions.
I really have nothing but good things to say about the First Response 1-Step Ovulation Predictor Test. It is easy to administer, convenient to use, and reading the results is a snap. To me, the best thing about this test is the "reference line". It confirms for me that the test was done properly, so I don't have to worry about getting a false negative.
It is important to check the date stamped on the box when you purchase it. I neglected to check when I bought my box for child #2, and didn't find out until I got it home that it was nearly a year out-of-date. Rather than chance using an inaccurate test, I went back to the store and exchanged it for another box with a current date.
Final Thoughts:
Highly Recommended! Yes, it takes some of the spontaneity out of getting pregnant, but it really helped me through a processes that I had actually been stressed-out about since I was quite young (the fear that I would be unable to conceive). It has now helped us reach our family-planning goals twice. The First Response 1-Step Ovulation Predictor Test really works, and I have a beautiful 2-year old and another child on the way to prove it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mizgnomer
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Location: Tennessee
Reviews written: 306
Trusted by: 202 members
About Me:
Don't meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you're crunchy and taste good with ketchup
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