Basal Body Temperature

How does the body temperature affect conception?

Basal Body Temperature


Charting your basal body temperature can be an effective means of conceiving a child or preventing pregnancy. Most women find that charting their basal body temperature (BBT) is very easy to do. You will need an accurate thermometer and a chart to track your temperature on.

*Take your temperature as soon as you wake up every day. Temperatures vary at different times of the day. It is crucial to take your temperature at the same time every morning to get an accurate reading and achieve the best results. Normal temperatures should range between 96 and 99 degrees.

*Leave the thermometer beside of your bed and do not do anything until you take your temperature. Moving around can effect your temperature. Do not eat, urinate or speak until you have taken your temperature.

*You can use any type of thermometer, but if you are going to use a glass thermometer make sure to shake it down each night before bedtime. This will avoid having to move in the morning before getting an accurate temperature reading.

*You can take your temperature orally, vaginally or rectally. However, you must use the same method for the entire length of your cycle to achieve the best results. Always use the thermometer in the same way every day (location and depth)

*After you have taken your temperature, you should plot it on your chart. Draw a line from day 1 to day 2, day 2 to day 3, and so forth. Your chart will begin to look like a dot-to-dot sheet! This will allow you to see the rises and falls within your cycle.

*You are looking for a temperature shift of at least .4 degrees in a 48 hour time frame. This shift will indicate ovulation and you should plan your sex accordingly. Remember sex should occur before ovulation for the best chances of getting pregnant.

*If your temperature is elevated for 18 days or more after ovulation, it is best to go ahead and take a pregnancy test.

*Remember that sometimes you will get inaccurate readings. You might be sick, stressed or had an insufficient amount of sleep.

*At the end of the month, look at the chart and take a note of what is happening with your cycle. After charting the changes for a few months, you will be able to notice patterns.

The first phase is called the preovulatory phase and takes place before ovulation. Most women will notice temperatures between 97 and 97.5 degrees. This is because estrogen is produced before ovulation and causes lower temperatures. Women do occasionally notice the drop in temperature, which will alert them that their peak time is near and ovulation is about to take place. However, temperatures can rise and fall throughout and unless you are charting other fertile indicators, you could miss your most fertile days all together.

The second phase is called the luteal phase and begins after ovulation. Temperatures will normally be between 97.6 and 98.6 during this time because progesterone is being released form the corpus luteum, which holds the egg. Normally, temperatures stay this way for 12-16 days and then they will fall again when your menstrual period starts. However, if conception has occurred, your temperatures will remain high and stay that way for the duration of the pregnancy.

The third phase is called the triphasic phase and not all women will experience this phase. Your temperatures will be slightly higher than they were during the luteal phase because hCG has been produced when implantation takes place.

On your chart, you might also wish to record some extra information.

• Dates of intercourse
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Vaginal discharge
• Lower abdominal pain or cramping
• Any alcoholic beverages consumed
• Amount of straight sleep every night
• Reasons that can cause an inaccurate temperature rise

Comments: Basal Body Temperature

Comments 1 to 2 of about 2.


martal - 35 days ago.
I found this site and I think is better then Fertility Friend http://go28days.com

BabySaunders - 113 days ago.
I have been keeping track of my BBT throughout my pregnancy and it WAS staying high. Now it's going back down. I fear this is me losing my baby. Any thoughts?

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