babyPLEASE

Ive purchased the thermometer and plan on charting starting tomorrow. My question is, exactly what am I looking for? I think I read something about, if I see a dip in temperature than I am fertile, then ovulation follows when the temp goes way up? Is this correct? Im actually a smart person but for some reason I don't get this LOL.

MsLesley

i dont know much about this...but i know many ladies write their temp down on Fertility Friend website. i also know you should should take your temp at the same time every morning before you get out of bed.

Thats all i can really tell you...the other ladies here will know more

good luck getting your BFP!!!

lori

Temps tend to be lower in the follicular phase of your cycle (from the first day of your period until ovulation). Some people see a dip just prior to ovulation, but that's not super helpful because your temperature naturally fluctuates a bit and you may not see that dip before you O anyway. You can tell you've ovulated after your temps have risen and stay high. Temps tend to stay high during the luteal phase until If your temps stay high for longer than your usual luteal phase and the witch doesn't make an appearance, you have good reason to POAS.

This is a simplified explanation, but the best thing you can do is start charting (things make so much more sense once you see the pattern in your own chart). Fertility friend is free and offers great lessons to help you get started. Good luck!!

Cleo

I highly recommend you read Toni Weschler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility...she explains it far better than I can!

The basics are to take your temp at the same time every morning before you get out of bed, talk or have any sort of activity. Pretty much as soon as your alarm goes off! During your period and afterward your temps should be in the "low" area. What is considered "low" may be different for you than for me or others so you will have to chart for a bit to determine it. It is possible to have high temps during your period also, as your body is still regulating after ovulation. After you ovulate, your temp will rise. Typically, it will be at least .2 degrees higher than the highest of your last 6 temps. Some girls have it way higher than that, but others have increment rises. Again, the book outlines all the possibilities you may see. Your temp should remain in the "high" temps for about 12 days -- this is your luteal phase. You want your LP to be at least 10 days long, but 12 -15 is more ideal. You'll know you're pregnant if your temp remains high for 18 days (although, I guarantee you'll POAS long before this! LOL!) If you're not pregnant, then it will drop back down to the "low" temps.

The dip you're talking about does not happen to all girls, in fact, very few, so do not rely on it to tell if you are about to ovulate. BBT simply tell you if you DID ovulate. A lot of girls use OPKs to help them tell when they will O.

AUGH! That may be an overload of information!! Hope it helps!