Ladies teach me how to...

kaylakay · #1 September 3rd, 2011, 07:28 PM

To do temperatures! I don't get them! When do you temp? What kind of thermometers do you use? What am I looking for when I do take my temperature? Etc etc etc.

I'm getting ready for my big TTCAL cycle!

Im.Nayomi · #2 September 3rd, 2011, 08:12 PM

They have a section here on J.M. all about that:
Fertility Charting - JustMommies Message Boards

I hope you get the answers that you need.

3Sapphires · #3 September 3rd, 2011, 09:20 PM

well, Charting is about the big picture, individual temps tell you squat, so it may take a cycle or 2 to see what is going on.

you get a Basil Body thermometer that measures to 00.00 - you will have very slight changes in temperature, and if your thermometer only goes to 00.0 your big picture will not tell you as much as it could.

You should take your waking temp every morning at the same time, and yes that means setting your alarm, even on saturdays - oh how I loathe that part of temping.

You also want to make sure you take you are getting at least 3 hours sleep before you wake to take your temp. you body cools as you sleep because you aren't doing anything, and this is the best way to get an accurate temp.

then you need to plot your readings on a chart of some sort, for the longest time before there was free software I did mine on paper - woah! old school baby! hah! but luckily now you can get free charting software at fertilityfriend.com - and it does the calculations for you, although sometimes is complete PIA and will give you bad info.

I am sure there is more, but holy crap it is 12:20am, and I need to go to bed!

Jessica121706 · #4 September 4th, 2011, 02:16 AM

I used fertilityfriend.com to help me learn the most important thing is to take your temp at the same time in the morning everyday, even if you go back to sleep after taking it. you can temp vaginally or orally just make sure you are consistent with one method. Also keep the thermometer close to you so you don't have to stir to get at it that can raise your temp, as crazy as it sounds I kept mine under my pillow.

terajet · #5 September 4th, 2011, 06:15 AM

You could also read a book called "Taking charge of your fertility" which has a section on temping and many other ways to chart your fertility. Fertility friend has an short online course that has lots of information about charting. The most important thing (and most irritating) is that you have to take your temperature at the same time every day to get an accurate chart.

A quick suggestion: If your thermometer does not have a memory feature keep a little pad of paper and a pen near your bed to record your temperature until you can enter it on your chart.

Good luck. I did this for 3 years and it really gave me a good understanding of how my body works.