When finding it difficult to conceive many couples have relied on the use of an ovulation chart. Charting your BBT, or basal body temperature, is an extremely easy way to help pinpoint fertile days during your cycle. During a woman's cycle many things happen to let her know she is about to ovulate, the rise and fall of your BBT is just another of these signs. Right before you ovulate your body temperature will drop slightly and then jump again after ovulation, this jump can be anywhere between a tenth of a degree to a full degree Fahrenheit. To notice changes this minute in nature you need a special thermometer call a "basal body thermometer", the use of this special thermometer will make your ovulation chart more accurate.
The best way to measure basal body temperature (BBT), is to be consistent. The first day of your period is the best day to start. You must have slept for at least four hours, and then must take the reading as soon as you wake up. You have to take the reading for at least five minutes while you are still lying in bed, and record the results on the chart that is usually included in the package, or alternatively, you can download blank charts from the internet for no charge.
There are a few things to remember about taking and recording BBT. Do not eat, drink or exercise before taking a reading. If you are taking the reading vaginally or orally, keep using the same site for each reading every time. Keep the thermometer in place for as long as is directed on the package (digital models generally work faster and make a noise to indicate that the reading is complete). Use a digital oral thermometer and record the results on a graph to better visualize what trends are occurring. Free computer graphing and printable sheets are available on a website I'll share with you in a moment.
Keep in mind that the increase of progesterone creates the rise in body temp, so if the elevated body temp last a couple of days this will indicate that ovulation has already occurred. By charting these changes on your ovulation chart you will start to notice a pattern after a few months, this should give you a very good idea of when you ovulate, in turn letting you that you may need to put a "do not disturb" sign on the front door during these days!
Some situations can make measuring BBT difficult. If you are a shift worker this can create unreliable results because it is best to take the reading at approximately the same time every day. If you are a poor sleeper and suffer from disturbed sleep or insomnia, this can also skew the results. Being sick, jet lagged, smoking, using an electric blanket or experiencing stress/anxiety, can result in inaccurate results.
While there are many things that can alter the results of your BBT being consistent and unwilling to give up will ultimately pay off in the end. That said, I know life happens when you make other plans and just because you unexpectedly had to up and go some where, or you aren't sleeping well because of work, or whatever the case, don't give up! Don't let one "off" month discourage you from creating an extremely accurate and helpful ovulation chart.
The best way to measure basal body temperature (BBT), is to be consistent. The first day of your period is the best day to start. You must have slept for at least four hours, and then must take the reading as soon as you wake up. You have to take the reading for at least five minutes while you are still lying in bed, and record the results on the chart that is usually included in the package, or alternatively, you can download blank charts from the internet for no charge.
There are a few things to remember about taking and recording BBT. Do not eat, drink or exercise before taking a reading. If you are taking the reading vaginally or orally, keep using the same site for each reading every time. Keep the thermometer in place for as long as is directed on the package (digital models generally work faster and make a noise to indicate that the reading is complete). Use a digital oral thermometer and record the results on a graph to better visualize what trends are occurring. Free computer graphing and printable sheets are available on a website I'll share with you in a moment.
Keep in mind that the increase of progesterone creates the rise in body temp, so if the elevated body temp last a couple of days this will indicate that ovulation has already occurred. By charting these changes on your ovulation chart you will start to notice a pattern after a few months, this should give you a very good idea of when you ovulate, in turn letting you that you may need to put a "do not disturb" sign on the front door during these days!
Some situations can make measuring BBT difficult. If you are a shift worker this can create unreliable results because it is best to take the reading at approximately the same time every day. If you are a poor sleeper and suffer from disturbed sleep or insomnia, this can also skew the results. Being sick, jet lagged, smoking, using an electric blanket or experiencing stress/anxiety, can result in inaccurate results.
While there are many things that can alter the results of your BBT being consistent and unwilling to give up will ultimately pay off in the end. That said, I know life happens when you make other plans and just because you unexpectedly had to up and go some where, or you aren't sleeping well because of work, or whatever the case, don't give up! Don't let one "off" month discourage you from creating an extremely accurate and helpful ovulation chart.
About the Author:
You can download and print multiple copies of this free ovulation chart. It will help you to monitor your BBT and assist you in predicting your ovulation dates. Get your free ovulation chart here: http://www.ovulationetc.com/free-ovulation-chart/
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