a. Is the pattern obvious?

Yes. The pattern is not black as per the diagram but rather a translucent greyish colour but the pattern is very obvious.

If you are using the Maybe Baby every day, you will see the pattern gradually change.  The formless dots or pebbles of the non-fertile phase will start to be joined by a few lines - this is the transitional phase. On the day of ovulation you will see a full-blown fern leaf pattern, which is very hard to miss.

b. I can't see anything!

Make sure you have applied enough saliva and that the saliva is dry. If there is not enough saliva a pattern will not be visible. Hold the Maybe Baby right up close to your eye. Depress the light button and rotate the eyepiece to bring it into focus.

Other things to check include whether you are placing your sample on the correct surface of the viewfinder - the saliva sample must go on the flat internal glass surface of the viewfinder (refer 2.2 on the diagram on the Maybe Baby Parts page).  You should not unscrew the viefinder.

Also check that you are focusing on your sample correctly.  The Eyepiece or rotating part of the viewfinder (refer 2.1 on the diagram on the Maybe Baby Parts page) is to focus on the patterns in your sample.

Do not look for black pebbles/ferns.  The pattern will be a grey, translucent colour.  The black is only to demonstrate on the translucent effect, however the patterns will be very obvious.

If you still can’t see anything, there may be something wrong with the lens – call or email us to go through warranty and replacement steps  (see the Contact page).

c. I see ‘ferns’ all the time.

The ideal time for a reading is first thing in the morning, before consuming food and drink (besides water) and before brushing your teeth. Make sure you view your sample after approximately 10 minutes of drying time. Any longer than 15 minutes may result in a contaminated and therefore inaccurate reading.
 
Constant ‘ferning’ can also occur if you have high oestrogen levels. This can occur as a result of medications, infections and pregnancy. Naturally high oestrogen levels will also produce an ongoing ‘ferning’ pattern. Oestrogen levels can be tested by a doctor through a simple blood test.  

d. I see ‘pebbles’ all the time.
Make sure your sample is dry as the ferning pattern will only be visible in a dry sample.
 
If you have naturally low oestrogen levels the increase around the time of ovulation may not be picked up by the microscope.  This DOES NOT mean you are not fertile as there are other hormones also involved in ovulating but it may mean that Maybe Baby is not suitable for you.  Your doctor can test your oestrogen levels through a simple blood test.

e. I only ever see the transitional pattern of ferns and pebbles around ovulation and not full ferning. 
Maybe Baby is a microscope and a device that require oestrogen levels to pass a threshold in order for the fern pattern to appear. Seeing transitional patterns may suggest that your oestrogen levels are lower than the needs to fern and the Maybe Baby is only able to pick up the peak in your oestrogen as a transitional pattern.  This is perfectly normal and does not mean that you are not ovulating or that you are not fertile it’s just that Maybe Baby needs oestrogen to reach a certain concentration for ferning. 

If you see the transitional pattern around the time you expect to ovulate but you don't get full ferning this may suggest that this is your day of ovulation.  It is important to check if this corresponds with other signs (i.e. is it around 14 days before your next period according to your cycle’s calendar?)

f. I am seeing a fern pattern around the time of my period. What does this mean?

It is possible to get a similar fern pattern just before or during menstruation however it DOES NOT indicate ovulation. It is not possible to conceive during menstruation and if a fern pattern develops it should be disregarded.

If you have a very short cycle you may see transitions/ferns shortly after your period - it is recommended that you chart your cycle so you can recognise the appropriate patterns and times for your cycle.  Check whether the patterns are corresponding to the expected time in your cycle (i.e. ferning around 14 days before your next period according to your cycle’s calendar, pebbles early in your cycle, and pebbles and ferns in the 2 to 3 days before ovulation).

g. I have been using the Maybe Baby for a full month, but haven't seen the fern leaf yet. What am I doing wrong?

If you are not seeing any patterns, ensure you are using the Maybe Baby correctly (refer to the I can’t see anything question or email if you would like assistance). 

If you are only seeing pebbles all month, make sure your sample is dry as the ferning pattern will only be visible in a dry sample.
 
If you have naturally low oestrogen levels the increase around the time of ovulation may not be picked up by the microscope. This DOES NOT mean you are not fertile as there are other hormones also involved in ovulating but it may mean that Maybe Baby is not suitable for you. Your doctor can test your oestrogen levels through a simple blood test.

h. When is the best time to take my sample?

The best time to do your test is first thing in the morning, before you brush your teeth or use mouthwash, and before you eat or drink anything besides water.  If this is not possible, you can test later in the day, as long as you have not had anything to eat or drink for at least 3 hours (aside from water). 

Some women do get better results later in the day and this is fine as long as the reading corresponding to the expected time in your cycle (i.e. ferning around 14 days before your next period according to your cycle’s calendar, pebbles early in your cycle, and pebbles and ferns in the 2 to 3 days before ovulation). If you always get ferns in the afternoon this may be due to food/contaminated saliva rather than oestrogen.

i. I see ferns after ovulation. Am I ovulating more than once in my cycle?

No, you cannot ovulate more than once in a cycle. In some women, a transitional or ferning pattern may re-appear in the days after ovulation or in the days around their period.  This is normal and does not stop you from telling when ovulation is about to occur and occurring. 

It is useful to identify when in your cycle this occurs. Charting helps to identify when you are ovulating  (around 14 days before your next period) and when ovulation has passed. Your personal patterns should become evident by examining your chart. 

j. How do I transfer my saliva onto the lens?

We suggest making sure your hands are clean, then placing a small drop of saliva onto your finger, and transferring it to the lens.