Ovulation Chart

When trying to get pregnant, many women use an ovulation chart to record basal body temperature (BBT) and help determine the most fertile days of their cycle. Immediately before ovulation, BBT drops slightly and then after ovulation, it rises a bit due to climbing progesterone levels.

Using a special thermometer, called a basal thermometer, even very small changes in temperature can be measured and charted. Some basal thermometers can measure temperature in 0.1 degree Fahrenheit, or even 0.01 degree. This can allow you to monitor and chart ovulation times during your cycle.

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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.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a rise in progesterone creates a minimum rise in temperature of 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If this increase lasts for a few days, this indicates that ovulation has already occurred. Remember that the BBT measurements are best for predicting your own body patterns in your monthly cycle. Through careful taking and recording of your BBT you can predict when you are likely to ovulate in your cycle to allow you to plan intercourse around this time in your next cycle.

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.

As mentioned earlier there can be many factors that influence the accuracy of your readings. Consistency is the key, but we all know how unpredictable our lives can be at times. If you have troubles one month, keep going. Record BBT as faithfully as you can, and remember that the charting you are recording is going to give you an indication for when to try to conceive in the future cycles. The longer and more consistent you maintain your ovulation chart, the better you will be able to predict your ovulation times within your cycle. Recording your basal body temperature with an ovulation chart is an effective way to start planning to conceive.

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