I know you're supposed to use a special thermometer, but I've been temping with a digi ear thermometer and have noticed a .4 degree jump in the last few days. During and after O I was around 98.3 (+/- .1) and now I'm running from 98.7 - 99.0. I haven't been measuring first thing in the AM but around 3 p.m. consistently. Is this an accurate way to temp? What exactly does a spike like that mean?

I'm not good at this stuff but I know if there's a drop that means AF is on the way. So I would guess if there's a spike that's a good thing! I'm no help. Good luck!!!

[Kary♥RN]

You are supposed to temp in the morning same time everyday before you get out of bed, talk or take anything to drink.
Also with a special thermomter that stated to be used for BBT
I work nights so I don't temp every moring my times very.... But is should always bee after at LEAST 4 hours sleep. So I just always temp when I wake up... what ever the time is, as long as I have slept. And I just use a regular digital thermometer

[MountainMomma]

I have used a regular digital thermometer for a long time too (just recently went back to an actual BBT) but it's very important that you test at the same time each day after 4 hours of sleep, before moving, walking, talking, eating or drinking.

It's also important to keep the room temperature as close to the same as possible. Even something as simple as adding a blanket or turning on a fan, or taking tylenol the night before can alter your chart.

I have used a regular digital thermometer for a long time too (just recently went back to an actual BBT) but it's very important that you test at the same time each day after 4 hours of sleep, before moving, walking, talking, eating or drinking.

It's also important to keep the room temperature as close to the same as possible. Even something as simple as adding a blanket or turning on a fan, or taking tylenol the night before can alter your chart.

[szczepanski]

Yeah you want to temp with a Basal Body Temp. thermometer. The goal is to do it right when you wake up, before you get up out of bed, brush your teeth or anything. It is most accurate this way. I'm not sure how accurate is to just take it in the middle of the day.

[farasha]

Although your overall temperature will be higher all day after you ovulate, things like drinking, walking, showering, etc will make that jump drastically all over the place. That's why it's best to do it after 4 hours of rest (ie. the same time every morning) just to be sure that what you're seeing isn't artificial. Doing it in the afternoon won't be accurate enough to be sure of anything unless you've spent a few hours before that laying on the couch, not lifting a finger, and not having anything to eat or drink! Since most of us aren't in that situation, we do it first thing in the morning!