|
What Kind Of Thermometer
You can use either a traditional glass or digital
thermometer, but use the same thermometer throughout your cycle. If you use a
traditional glass thermometer always shake it down and make sure you wait for 5 minutes
before you read the temperature. If you use a digital thermometer, wait for the beep
(usually about 1 minute) before you read and that the temperature will register to 1/10 of
a degree. For example: will read 97.56 and not round up to 97.6.
Do I Take Temp Orally
Temperatures can be taken either orally
or vaginally. Which ever method you choose, keep it consistent throughout the
cycle.
Take Temps Upon Waking
It is important to take your temperature immediately
upon waking. Your temperature will fluctuate once you are moving around. If
you wake up during the middle of the night and you go back to sleep and get at least three
additional hours of uninterrupted sleep, your temperature will be accurate. If you
wake up less than three hours before your normal scheduled waking time and have to get up
for any reason, it is advisable to take your temperature then (before you get out of bed)
and not at your normal waking time. Remember log the time temperature was taken and
make a notation as to the adjustment.
How To Log Your Temps
Start with a good spreadsheet - Check out
different charts to use or make up one of your own. Click
here to obtain a BBT Chart by WebWomb.
There is no such thing as too
much information to log in your chart - every little twinge may be telling you something!
Temps should range from the mid 96's to 99.00. Your cycle day and date should
run across the top of the spreadsheet. Your indicator columns and your temperature
range should run up and down. Make sure you start your numbering on cycle day one
(first day of mp) leave the blanks if you have missed a few days. Always round
down. For example if your waking temperature registered at 97. 52 - you
would chart your temp at 97.5. If it was 97.68 you would round down to 97.6
the reason for this is you do not want to risk charting a false high high temp. A
false high could lead you to believe that you have already ovulated when in fact you may
still be fertile. Circle the appropriate temp for the appropriate day and log all
other indicators for that day. Draw a line going from your first charted temp to
your second charted temp, from your second charted temp to your third and so on.
This will give you a clearer picture as to the rises and or falls within your cycle.
Occasionally you may get an out of the ordinary temperature read - you may be ill,
stressed, did not get enough sleep, had alcohol the night before....these temps should be
logged but do not connect them to the previous day or the day after - the reason for this
is they are not a true temp and may cause confusion in reading your chart.
Remember to make a notation as to the cause of the unusual temperature.
The Information Temps Give
Taking your waking body temperature can give you
information that is very helpful if trying to conceive. If not pregnant your
temperature will reflect two phases during a cycle, three phases if conception has
occurred. Your temperatures will vary (fall and rise) during your monthly
cycle. They will be lower in the first phase, higher in the second phase and
higher still in the third phase once implantation takes place. The rise in temps
from the first phase to the second phase is caused from ovulation. Your temps will
rise only AFTER ovulation has taken place. Charting temperatures alone without using
cervical fluid and position DOES NOT indicate when your most fertile time is (before
ovulation) until after ovulation has occurred - which is too late. Therefore
we recommend that all indicators are charted to give a more efficient reading of
fertility.
Next
Page
|
