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Tools of the Trade

3 Things Hopeful Moms Can't Live Without

By Kelly Burgess

To sum it up ...
OPKs are a great addition to traditional charting in providing a complete picture of a woman's cycle and any possible ovulation issues, but it's just part of the bigger picture. "I advise my patients to use OPKs in 1 or 2 cycles to get a sense of whether they are ovulating and on what day ovulation occurs," Dr. Feinberg says. "After they have gleaned that information, I think the utility of these tests declines as ovulation patterns tend to be consistent from month to month."

Personal Computers

What are they used for?
There's a wide variety of ovulation tracking software available, and the charts can be much easier to read and follow than that traditional pen and pencil method. This is particularly user friendly for people who already keep track of everything else on their computer. On another note, PCs connect hopeful mothers to a huge, virtual support community.

What are the pros?
PCs make it very easy and straightforward to keep track of data. The Internet also gives women who may be isolated by geography or by reticence a way to research fertility and get support from other women who are trying to get pregnant.

What are the cons?
The big one is misinformation. Dr. Dharia Patel says the goal should be to find verified sources that will provide accurate education and information. Don't put too much stock in stories other people tell, imply because everyone is different. For education, she notes that Preconception.com has well-verified sources. She also recommends the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (www.asrm.org).