OTC Ovulation Tests

Another option is measuring your basal body temp each morning when you wake up. You can read more about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_body_temperature. You have to buy a special thermometer for that specific purpose (but I think mine was under $10 at Target) and remember to take your temp each morning before you get out of bed. I had a paper chart next to my bed to write it down, but I also used a website (there are many, but I used fertilityfriend.com) to track it and the site will keep track of when you ovulate. It's much cheaper than the ovulation kits.

That's exactly what I did.
I went with the cheap ones from CVS, so I didn't spend quite so much. I bought 3 boxes, and tested daily for 3 weeks starting about a week after my last period.

Check eBay, to see if you can get them in bulk.

I suffer with irregular cycles too and I successfully got preggers twice using OTC ovulation tests. It's been about 4 years since I last used them but I do remember buying two boxes worth and peed on a dang stick everyday till it showed me a "positive" ovulating sign. I figured it was cheaper to buy two boxes than to run to the OB/GYN for testing:)

I just had my first ever positive ovulation test. I have never had regular ovulation or periods, and my cycles since stopping breastfeeding have been really long. I started on day 14 and tested until I got a positive, which was on day 25 for me (long cycles). If your cycle was 35 days for example, you would supposedly be ovulating around day 21 (35-14) but I think your plan is a good one to start right away, or maybe around day 10, and then test until you get a positive. Be sure to test mid-day, because unlike pregnancy tests it's not best to test first thing in the morning. Also, you have to hold it (don't pee) for several hours before you test. Good luck!

The OTC ones can be hard to read. However, my friends and I have had great success with the Clearblue Easy monitor. I got pregnant in 2 months with my first, and 3 with my second. (With the second, I had given my monitor away, and tried for 15 months before buying the monitor a second time. It is expensive, but worth it! You're not *supposed* to share this monitor, but I have passed mine around my circle of friends, and it has helped in the conception of 5 more babies. One friend discovered she was ovulating a full 7 days later than she thought.

http://www.amazon.com/Clearblue-Easy-Fertility-Monitor-Pa...

I also found accupuncture to be an excellent way of regulating my cycle (I suffered a miscarriage after TTC my second for 14 months). If you're close to Glendale, look up Float Chinese Medical Arts. Abigail is amazing!

Good luck!