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Basal Body Temperature (BBT)Use a basal body temperature (BBT) chart to track your daily natural body temperature. BBT charting seems complicated at first glance, but it is actually very simple. You will find below the answers to the many questions you may have on this method of fertility charting. What is BBT? BBT refers to your natural body temperature in the morning before you 'cool' off as you get out of bed. It is the temperature that is measured immediately after awakening andbefore you engage in any physical activity. What's its use in fertility charting? BBT charting is useful in predicting your fertile window by monitoring minute changes in your BBT throughout your menstrual cycle. During the different stages of you menstrual cycle, you display varying BBT changes. You will find a certain repetitive cyclical temperature pattern every month; lower temperatures before ovulation during the Follicular phase, and higher temperatures afterwards during the Luteal phase. The high temperature during your Luteal phase is caused by a rise in your progesterone level in preparation for ovulation. Your BBT chart is useful in helping you estimate your next fertile period so that you can time your intercourse accordingly for conception. Why does basal body temperature rise after ovulation? That's nature's way to create a warmer and more conducive environment for your fertilized egg to grow. The higher temperature will stay from ovulation until your next period. How much is the increase in basal body temperature after ovulation? Firstly, take note that on the day you're likely to ovulate, your basal body temperature will actually drop a little before it rises again the next day. On the next day, your temperature will spike, increasing between 0.4o Fahrenheit to 0.8o Fahrenheit, signalling that ovulation has occurred. Do take note that by the time you are sure that you have ovulated based on records from your BBT chart, it is usually too late for you to time intercourse to conceive. How often must I track and chart my basal body temperature in order to produce an accurate fertility chart? You have to track and chart the changes in your basal body temperature on a daily basis throughout the course of your cycle. To be able to see a predictable pattern of ovulation, you should chart at least 3 to 4 menstrual cycles. So my BBT charts will predict when I would ovulate? No, BBT charting can only show you that ovulation has occurred after it has happened. The focus of this method is not to predict when you will ovulate, but to help you identify your personal ovulation pattern after you have tracked your basal body temperatures for a few months. Only when you are able to understand and read your individual ovulation cycle from your BBT charts, will you then be able to pinpoint your fertile window and optimize your conception efforts. Who should use this fertility charting method? If you have no serious reproductive problems and are sure that you are ovulating on a regular basis, if you want to find the optimal time to copulate to have a baby, this method is most suitable for you. However, if you have very irregular cycles, you may not be able to see a predictable pattern of ovulation from your BBT charts. But this is not to say that BBT charts are useless to you. You should still try this fertility charting method as a prelude to consulting a doctor later on. As you chart your daily basal body temperatures, you will gather a lot of useful data. Data that your doctor will find most helpful in his diagnosis of your infertility problem. Important Information on BBT: Interpreting BBT Fertility Chart If you like, you can also check out other methods of ovulation prediction as follows: Related Links:
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist on the impact of those medications on your body temperature. You will then be able to ignore these abnormal temperature fluctuations registered in your charts whenever you are sick and not be unduly worried. Return from Basal Body Temperature to Getting Pregnant Tips
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