18 May, 2009
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) 101
Posted by: admin In: getting pregnant| how to get pregnant
Don’t know how to chart your BBT temperature or need a refresher course in what exactly Basal Body Temperature means? Then this article will go over some of the basics you need to know when charting your cycle and understanding the temperature changes that your body goes through.
Why measure your BBT?
If you have spent any time at all trying to conceive then you know that you need to know your exact ovulation day to increase your chances of getting pregnant each month, and so measuring your basal body temperature will help to accurately pinpoint your ovulation day (even though you usually only can confirm it after you have already ovulated).
Can BBT charting help you get pregnant?
Yes and No. Charting your temperature is useful for understanding your cycle better and also for determining your ovulation day, but since it can only tell you after ovulation has already occurred it should be used in conjunction with other methods of determining your approaching ovulation such as cervical mucus changes or prediction tests such as OPK’s and saliva monitors.
How and when do you take your BBT?
You need to use a special Basal Body Thermometer because they are more accurate (they measure to a higher level) than regular thermometer’s. Every day at the same time each morning , before you get out of bed and as long as you’ve had at least 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, you need to take your temperature orally and then record that day’s temperature. You can then enter the temp onto your online chart or paper chart.
What temperature changes are normal?
Generally you have a lower temperature in the first half of your cycle (your follicular phase) because of the presence of estrogen. Once progesterone is released in the second half of your cycle (the luteal phase) you’ll notice that your BBT will be slightly higher (around 0.4 to 0.6 degrees) until your next period arrives (or you are pregant).
That change in temperature confirms that ovulation has taken place (the last day of lower temperatures).
