Fertility Profile

Timing - Non-Menstruating Women

• You will collect 1 blood spot card and 4 saliva samples. 
• You can collect your samples on any day of the month. 

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Timing - Menstruating Women 

• You will collect 2 blood spot cards and 4 saliva samples. 
• Saliva samples: Collect on any day of the month.
• Blood spot card #1: Collect on Day 3 or 4 of your cycle.
  • Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of your period. 
  • This is your follicular sample.
• Blood spot card #2: Collect during the luteal phase of your cycle.
  • Regular cycle
    • Collect 7 days after LH surge/ovulation.
    • If you don't know your ovulation day, collect on Day 19, 20, or 21 of your cycle. 
  • Long cycle (over 28 days)
    • Collect 7 days after LH surge/ovulation.
    • If you don't know your ovulation day, collect on Day 21 of your cycle. 
  • Short cycle (less than 23 days)
    • Collect 5 days after LH surge/ovulation.
    • If you don't know your ovulation day, collect on Day 15 of your cycle. 
  • Unpredictable cycle
    • Collect any day you are not bleeding

Saliva Instructions

1. Collect your first sample within 30 minutes of waking. 
   1. Use the LARGE TUBE. 
2. Wash your hands with soap and water.
3. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
4. Rinse your mouth with water.
5. Wait 5 minutes before beginning collection.
6. Allow saliva to pool in your mouth, then transfer it to the tube. 
   1. If you have trouble producing saliva, try
      1. Smelling food
      2. Thinking of your favorite food
      3. Yawning
      4. Pressing the tip of your tongue against your teeth
7. Fill the tube at least half full, not including bubbles.
   1. Collection usually takes 15-30 minutes. 
8. When done, cap the tube tightly. 
9. Write your name, the date of collection, and the time of collection on the tube.
10. Place the tube back into the bag.
11. Repeat steps 2-10 for each of the other collections. 
    1. Use the small tubes for collections 2-4.
    2. Do not eat, drink anything but water, or brush your teeth for at least 2 hours prior to each collection.
    3. Collection 2: Before lunch
    4. Collection 3: Before dinner
    5. Collection 4: Before bed
12. Freeze your samples if not shipping within 24 hours.
13. If you make a mistake collecting your samples, 
    1. Rinse the tube out with hot water (no soap).
    2. Shake out any remaining water.
    3. Air dry.
    4. Re-collect at the appropriate time the next day. 

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Blood Spot Instructions

1. Collect your samples within 1 hour of waking. 
2. Wash your hands with soap and water. 
3. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
4. Shake your arms and rub your hands together to get your blood flowing.
5. Write your name, date, and time of collection on the collection card.
6. Fold the collection card cover away from the filter paper (which has circles for blood collection). 
   1. Do NOT touch the filter paper.
7. Tape the card to a low surface (such as a table) with the filter paper facing out. 
8. Open the sterile gauze and alcohol pad. 
9. Use the alcohol pad to wipe the fingertip you will use for collection.
   1. It is best to use the ring or middle finger on your non-dominant hand. 
10. Wait 15-30 seconds for your finger to dry. 
11. Remove the lancet’s cap.
12. Press the tip of the lancet against the inside tip of your finger.
13. Press the tip firmly against your finger until it activates (it should click).
14. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the sterile gauze.
15. Position your finger above the collection card. 
16. Gently stroke your finger from the base to the tip to form a blood drop.    
    1. Do NOT over-squeeze your finger.
17. Touch the tip of the drop to the filter paper. 
    1. Do NOT touch the paper with your finger.
18. Place one drop per circle. 
    1. Each drop should fill at least ¾ of the circle.
    2. Each drop should saturate the filter paper to the other side.
    3. 
19. Collect blood until all circles are filled.
    
    1. If blood stops flowing before you are finished, firmly wipe the finger with the gauze to get the blood flowing again.
    2. You can use the second lancet and another finger, if necessary.
20. Bandage your finger.
21. Leave the card open to dry for at least 30 minutes.
    1. Keep the card in a cool, dry location away from sunlight.
22. Once the card is dry, fold the cover over the blood spots. 
23. Place the card into the test kit box.