About This Article
Zoom Baby has supplied pregnancy, ovulation and fertility tests to UK customers for nearly 20 years. This guide draws on our experience helping thousands of people understand fertility testing, conception planning, and ovulation prediction methods. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice regarding conception and pregnancy.
Published: January 2020 | Last Updated: January 2026 | By Anthony Cunningham
When you’re trying to get pregnant quickly, it pays to have options. We suggest all women use ovulation tests to predict their fertile days. We also recommend fertility charting to identify your peak days. Another option is the Maybe Baby Saliva Fertility Tester.
The Maybe Baby Saliva Fertility Tester is a mini-microscope that helps women identify fertile and infertile periods during their monthly cycle. It shows the link between oestrogen and salt levels in your saliva.
In This Article:
How Does It Work?
Maybe Baby’s optical block magnifies your saliva sample. By comparing the image in the microscope with those in the instructions, you can determine your hormone activity and whether you’re at a less or more fertile period.
Simply sample your saliva onto the mini microscope, let it dry, then check it in the viewfinder.
It’s that simple! You can use the same Maybe Baby tester day after day, cycle after cycle, until you get your good news.
The science behind saliva ovulation testing is well-established. According to the NHS guidance on conception, understanding your fertile window significantly improves your chances of getting pregnant. The Maybe Baby works by detecting the oestrogen surge that occurs in the days leading up to ovulation, when electrolyte levels in your saliva increase and create distinctive crystalline patterns.
Tips for Getting the Most Accurate Results
Getting precise readings from your Maybe Baby tester is key. Here’s how to nail it:
- Test first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything.
- Don’t brush your teeth beforehand – it can skew results.
- Place a small drop of saliva on the lens and let it dry completely (about 5 minutes).
- Check your results in good lighting.
- Be patient! It might take a cycle or two to get the hang of interpreting patterns.
- Compare your findings with other fertility signs like basal body temperature for a fuller picture.
- Keep a log of your results to spot trends over time.
Remember, practice makes perfect. You’ll be a pro in no time!
Timing Your Tests Throughout Your Cycle
For women with regular 28-day cycles, begin testing around day 10 of your cycle. If your cycles are longer or shorter, adjust accordingly. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends daily monitoring when trying to conceive, as this helps you understand your unique fertility patterns.
Test at the same time each morning for consistency. This creates a reliable baseline for comparison and helps you spot the subtle changes that indicate approaching ovulation. Many women find it helpful to test immediately upon waking, before getting out of bed.
Understanding Ferning Patterns
When viewing your saliva sample through the Maybe Baby microscope, you’ll observe different patterns depending on where you are in your cycle:
Non-Fertile Days
You’ll see random dots and irregular patterns with no clear structure. The saliva may show small bubbles or circular formations, but no fern-like crystallisation.
Transitional Phase
As oestrogen begins to rise, you’ll notice partial ferning – some fern-like structures mixed with dots. This typically occurs 3-4 days before ovulation.
Fertile Days
Full ferning patterns appear – distinct crystalline structures resembling fern leaves or frost on a window. This indicates your most fertile period, when conception is most likely to occur.
The ferning pattern typically appears 24-72 hours before ovulation occurs, giving you advance notice to time intercourse optimally. This is one of the key advantages over ovulation prediction kits that detect the LH surge, which occurs closer to ovulation itself.
Why Should I Use the Maybe Baby Saliva Fertility Tester?
It’s fast: the Maybe Baby microscope requires only a five-minute interval for the saliva sample to dry. Once dry, view the sample through the lens to determine the result.
It’s clean and easy-to-use: “No messy urine tests” is the main advantage. There’s a slight learning curve with any fertility tester. We suggest you utilise the first cycle to master the art of interpretation.
It’s educational: By monitoring results every day, you learn about your own fertility patterns and the nuances of your cycle. Over time, you’ll be able to get a bird’s eye view of your cycle history. Monitor results daily, even when you’re not ovulating.
It’s good for women with irregular cycles: Unlike hit-and-miss LH surges (and the sheer volume of tests needed to pin-point an LH surge), the DONNA allows women with irregular cycles to focus on their oestrogen surge.
It’s accurate: 98% accuracy, proven in clinical trials. But that means following the directions (no eating, drinking, smoking or brushing teeth before taking a sample).
It’s an early ovulation detector: Tracks ovulation with up to 72 hours’ notice. This provides plenty of time to plan ahead your sexual behaviour.
It’s convenient and discreet: You can use your Maybe Baby anywhere, anytime, and everyone will think you’re just looking into a tube of lipstick.
It’s affordable: Compared with the amount of money spent on urine LH tests, the Maybe Baby is a very cost-effective way to predict fertility.
Combining Methods for Best Results
Many fertility experts recommend using saliva testing alongside other methods for the most comprehensive fertility tracking. Consider pairing your Maybe Baby with ovulation test strips to detect both the oestrogen surge (via saliva) and the LH surge (via urine). This dual approach gives you the widest possible fertile window and maximises your chances of conception.
Ready to track your fertility? The Maybe Baby Saliva Fertility Tester offers a reusable, cost-effective way to predict your most fertile days with 98% accuracy.
What Customers Say
“We had been trying for our second child for 10 months. I had never tried Ovulation Kits before I came across Zoom Baby. The very first time we tried wham bang We’re pregnant!! I wish I had tried them earlier, it would have saved all the months of waiting. BIG TIP – Read every bit of the instruction leaflet!!!”
— E.G., Verified Customer
“Thanks so much for the ovulation kits – after just one month of using them I’m now pregnant!! I took 3 out of the 4 pregnancy tests I got from you as I couldn’t believe my eyes!!! Would highly recommend these tests, they work!!”
— K.L., Verified Customer
“It took a little bit of time to work out how it works but easy to use once you know what you are doing! Good if you use it alongside ovulation tests at the same time.”
— Gaynor L., Verified Customer
Maybe Baby Is Not Suitable For:
- Women in advanced menopause
- Those undertaking hormonal contraception (the pill) or hormonal therapy
- Women who have in the last two months been pregnant
- Anybody receiving fertility drugs, such as clomiphene citrate, should not use the device since these drugs cause an increase in hormone levels which will induce ferning images.
In Conclusion
The Maybe Baby Saliva Fertility Tester offers a convenient, reusable, and cost-effective approach to tracking your fertile window. By detecting the oestrogen surge that precedes ovulation, it provides up to 72 hours’ advance notice of your most fertile days. With 98% accuracy when used correctly, it’s an excellent tool for women trying to conceive, particularly those with irregular cycles who may find traditional LH testing challenging.
While there’s a learning curve to interpreting ferning patterns, most women become proficient within one or two cycles. For best results, combine your Maybe Baby with other fertility awareness methods such as basal body temperature charting and cervical mucus monitoring. This comprehensive approach, supported by NICE guidance on fertility assessment, gives you the fullest picture of your cycle and maximises your chances of conception.
About the Author
Anthony Cunningham – Fertility Testing Expert & Editor
Anthony Cunningham, BA (Hons), MA, is a UK-based fertility testing expert and editor with over 20 years’ experience running Zoom Baby, a trusted source for accurate pregnancy, ovulation and fertility tests and testing guidance. He creates clear, evidence-based articles using NHS guidance, professional fertility resources, and conception planning best practices. Where possible, content is reviewed by fertility specialists and healthcare professionals to enhance accuracy and reliability, helping readers make informed testing decisions.
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