Saliva Based Ovulation Tests  – This device is a small handheld microscope with a light on it.  To use it you place a little bit of saliva on the glass and let it dry.  After it is dried you look at the glass through the eyepiece with the light on.  If you see a fern pattern then you are nearing ovulation.  The changing hormone and electrolyte levels immediately before ovulation cause the fern pattern.  This is a neat little tool because you will start to see a change in the pattern before ovulation occurs, which gives you time to have intercourse so that you can catch the egg.  The best Saliva Based Ovulation Test is called the Fertile Focus Ovulation Microscope .  You can purchase it here.  The coolest thing about this method of monitoring is that you only have to buy one of these once and you can use it over and over again.  There is no need to buy anything else to use this method.  And, the price is about the price for one box of Fertility Test Sticks at an average drug store, which would only last about one month.  The only downfall to this method is that it may take a little time to interpret the test results appropriately.

Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor  – The Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor has had many good reviews.  To use this monitor, you place a disposable stick into the device and then urinate on it.  The machine then tests your urine for two different types of hormones. Through this testing it will tell you what your fertility level is for that particular day.  The monitor will display low, high or peak fertility. This will give you plenty of time to have intercourse before the egg is released.  It also records this information over time so that you don't have to.  And, you can transfer the results to you computer.  The only downfall to using this type of a fertility monitor is that you must buy sticks to use in it each month.  If you do not conceive right away this can be costly.                    

Ovacue Fertility Monitor  – The Ovacue  is a set that consists of a handheld monitor and a tongue sensor and an optional vaginal sensor.  To use it only takes about two minutes a day.  Upon awakening, you simply use the tongue sensor to take an oral reading.  This will take a reading of the electrolytes in the saliva.  By using the tongue sensor daily the monitor gives an estimate of when ovulation will occur and generally it will notify you about a week before ovulation occurs.  By using the optional vaginal sensor the monitor will confirm ovulation.  Use the vaginal sensor at night by taking a 5 second reading.  This tests for electrolytes in the reproductive tract.  The monitor will display “ovulation confirmed” once ovulation has taken place.  This monitor is a bit pricey, but I really liked using it.  You can find it here for a reasonable price.  While the monitor can seem very costly at first glance, you must remember that there are no other costs after the initial investment of the monitor.  Many other monitors require the purchase of sticks that are needed every time a reading is taken.  This can add up quickly if it takes more than a couple of months to conceive.