Table 3 Positive themes, sub-themes and example quotes from telephone interviews about use of ovulation tests

1. Understanding the menstrual cycle

1.1 Increased knowledge

“Looking on it now in hindsight, no I didn’t know my cycle at all.” (3)

1.2 Digital charting/tracking

“I wanted to just really get to know what my cycle was and see if that would be helped by the ovulation tests. You sometimes also have those sorts of concerns like is there something more that you need to be doing as opposed to trying to chart it manually.” (10)

1.3 Precision

“I was interested to see how charting, especially when I got the information, how my emotions would affect everything and to actually measure my cycle a lot more precisely.” (1)

1.4 Surprise

“I think what the study has certainly highlighted to me is the differences across my own cycles and the ovulation days are quite different on a month to month basis.” (10)

2. Confirmed when

Ovulating

2.1 Accuracy of ovulation

“I sort of knew it happened within a week from 10–14 days but obviously my cycles were a little bit different ranging from like 25 to 28 days so it varied every day, every month sort of thing…sometimes I ovulated earlier than I thought and then other times I ovulated later so it was good to get an accurate day.” (9)

2.2 Pinpointing ovulation

“They pinpoint the right time to try, and it kind of takes that pressure off; it takes the guesswork out of it really; you don’t have to look for other signs as well.” (24)

2.3 Planning conception

“I don’t think it got easier because every month you had an expectation and when obviously you hadn’t conceived it had an impact, but it was almost balanced out because you were disappointed that you hadn’t conceived, but at the same time you were able to say, ‘Right, next month’, and you had a timeline and you were able to plan it more effectively.” (10)

2.4 More relaxed

“Just knowing, I think it’s just nice to know that you are timing things right. I think it’s just nice to know that you are at the right day and things, and the right time, it makes you feel a bit more relaxed about everything I think.” (8)

2.5 Noticing physical changes

“It just makes you more aware of your fertile times, of your cervical mucus and things like that. I think it just makes you just generally more aware of what’s going on with your body and things.” (23)

3. Emotional support

3.1 Reassurance

“It made me much more comfortable that everything was still ok … and it also reassured me that a woman in her late 30s still can conceive.” (10)

3.2 Helping hand (to get pregnant)

“Well, just sort of the timing and things really. I think if you time it better then it’s more likely to increase your chances of conceiving.” (23)

3.3 Helping hand (alert something wrong)

“But I suppose that’s a positive thing because you could then go to a doctor, some women go on for years without realising.” (17)

3.4 Smiley face

“Yes, he was quite excited about the face as well. ‘Oh, show me the face!’ And it was great, on the test, and he’d go all shy, ‘Oh, I can’t believe that face!’” (22)

4. Improving the relationship

4.1 Less stressful

“The main reason is that you know your exact time of your ovulation. And it just keeps you stress free from trying to guess, ‘Oh is it the sign or is it the time?’ You know, it makes the whole process much less stressful and easier for couples.” (22)

4.2 Teamwork

“We have used them this month. We have enjoyed using them this month and it’s kind of like a joint effort. I get asked if I have used my sticks yet and is it the right time, to me it’s like a project.” (1)