Charting Basal Body Temperature While Trying to Conceive

Mom Stages - Trying to Conceive

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There are a myriad of products on the shelves these days for those trying to conceive. Ovulation prediction kits are available from several manufacturers and have a decent degree of accuracy, but they can be costly. For me, taking my basal body temperature on a daily basis was an adequate substitute - at a much lower monthly cost. I also gained a much better understanding of my cycle, which can be critical when trying to conceive.

I'm an information gatherer by nature. The more data I have, the more in control I feel. While trying to conceive, I checked cervical mucus, charted BBT (basal body temperature), and spent a fortune in home pregnancy tests (a lot of information didn't do much to curb my neurotic tendencies in those first couple of months *lol*). I truly believe that BBT charting saved my sanity during the stressful trying to conceive process.

Taking Your Basal Body Temperature

First, buy a good thermometer. It needs to be a basal body temperature thermometer - used specifically for taking internal temperature. These are available at any pharmacy or online. Then, find an online charting service or download a paper chart. I used the online charting at Fertility Friend, because all I had to do was enter my temp each morning and the software did the rest. A paper chart is also perfectly adequate.

Each morning before you leave your bed, you will take your temperature (orally or vaginally - just be consistent). Don't get up to go to the bathroom, don't take a sip of water - take your temperature and THEN get on with your day! Once you've recorded your temp for the day, you can forget all about it until the next morning.

What Information Does Basal Body Temperature Provide?

Within a couple of cycles, your will notice a pattern to your monthly temperatures. Some women (including me) see a drop in temperature within a day or two of ovulation. Almost all women see a significant temperature increase on the day after ovulation. Your chart will show a marked temperature decrease if your period is about to begin.

BBT charts allow you to see the pattern in your monthly cycles - do you typically ovulate on Day 12 or Day 15? A difference of a day or two can make a big difference if you are not timing intercourse correctly. Once you see that mid-cycle temperature increase, you know ovulation has occured and it's no longer critical to continue every-other-day intercourse.

I believe that more information is better no matter what the situation, but especially when trying to conceive. For additional information, check out Fertility Plus and Fertility Friend.  And good luck!

Dianna is the mother of three daughters, two biological and one adopted from Vietnam.

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Great Tips! Sherry (Editor) 2009-06-16 10:01:26 Great, simple tips for women who need/want an additional tool in trying to conceive. I was a faithful temp taker while ttc with my son. I always suggest women read Taking Charge of Your Fertility when they are starting the whole process. The book helped me clear up a lot of the mysteries of the reproductive process and my own body! Thanks for sharing!

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