Charting for Ovulation

Taking your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) each morning gives you and your practitioner great information about your cycle, hormones and ovulation. It can seem daunting at first, but you will get into the rhythm of taking your temperature after a couple of cycles and develop a better relationship with your body.

You will need

• A BBT thermometer. The thermometer needs to be a basal thermometer that can measure to two decimal points, we are looking for small changes so the thermometer needs to be accurate. Thermometers can be purchased at the clinic.

• Fertility Friend app for your phone or a paper BBT chart (we have these at the clinic).

How to take your BBT accurately

• Your temperature needs to be taken FIRST thing on waking. Before you reach for your phone, go to the toilet, have a drink of water or talk!

• Press the ON button once the thermometer is in place under your tongue, as far back as possible. Breath through your nose. Most thermometers take between 30 and 60 seconds to beep and provide a reading.

• Enter the reading into the app or onto your paper BBT chart. Many thermometers store the last reading, so you can enter it once you are up.

Tips

• Measure your temperature at the same time each day or within two hours of that time.

• You need to have been asleep for at least 3 hours before taking your temperature.

Shift Work

Shift workers may need to track their BBT for longer to build up a pattern. Taking your temperature after the biggest block of sleep will give the most accurate reading, even though the time may vary.

Children

If your children wake during the night, it is best to take your temperature after the longest period of sleep, ie if they wake at 3am and 5am, taking your temp at 3am would be best.

Illness

Colds and flus can increase your BBT, it is best to discard temperatures during illness.

Hangover

Increased alcohol the night before can alter temperatures, discard temps if you are hungover.