Generic PT and OT vs. brand name

[Anonymous]

Just wondering if buying the generic (CVS brand, Target brand, etc.) brand of the pregnancy and ovulation test kits are the same as the brand name ones? Are the generics not as sensitive or accurate as the brand names and that is why they are cheaper?

We are on a tight budget so I can't really spend a lot on "miscellaneous expenses" and since the preg. and ovulation kits are rather pricey I thought I would ask before I buy.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

If you want to save money, but Taking Control of Your Fertility and then you probably won't need to buy either PT or OT

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP -- if you don't buy the book, then borrow it from the library. Those OTC Ovulation Predictor kits do not work for everyone and can be expensive. It is cheaper to buy the proper type of thermometer and do the charting. Charting will also give you a good indication if you are pregnant, so you don't waste money on pregnancy tests just because your period is a day or two late. As far as pregnancy tests go, I think they are all pretty accurate -- the thing to check is what level of hcg they detect -- that is usually the difference between earl pregnancy tests and normal pregnancy tests.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for responding.

However, there is one more thing I wanted to add to my original post - I'm still BFing so I don't have my period back yet, but DH and are still TTC. I'm on the hold list at the library for TCOYF at the library, but I thought in the meantime I would buy a PT and/or an OT to see if our hard work was paying off.

[Anonymous]

Generic or brand name shouldn't make a difference - the tests look for a specific chemical reaction. I got a bunch of cheap tests from http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/
and they have worked just fine.

[Anonymous]

check out www.peeonastick.com. It has brand comparisons and everything else you never really needed to know about OPKs and HPTs.

[Anonymous]

If you are nursing, don't bother with the predictor kit - it won't give you useful info, and you will run up quite a bill (remember, you aren't ovulating yet).

Generic is fine.

(Frankly, I would spend the money on my own copy of TCOYF before wasting it on a predictor kit)

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Another round of thank yous to the responders from yesterday and today.

I'm actually in the process of weaning so hopefully the milk flow will stop and I'll get a menstrual cycle soon (I never thought I would WANT to get my period) so I can start charting and relating it to TCYOF book. I just feel so anxious to TTC successfully, you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Another round of thank yous to the responders from yesterday and today.

I'm actually in the process of weaning so hopefully the milk flow will stop and I'll get a menstrual cycle soon (I never thought I would WANT to get my period) so I can start charting and relating it to TCYOF book. I just feel so anxious to TTC successfully, you know?

I wouldn't waste my money on Ovulation predictors if you don't even have your period. It will be very expensive. I started charting before I got my period. Didn't catch the O, but you don't really have to wait for your period to start charting. You will likely O before you get your period anyway. You can get a lot of the same information, for free, from fertilityfriend.com. Good luck.