[ShannonMVT]

I'm sure that I'm jumping the gun, as I've only recently gotten off BCP and have only taken my BBT temp twice...BUT, the two temps seemed really far apart (0.4 degrees F) and they shouldn't be since I am on my period. Could erratic temps be caused by any of these things?

1. I just got off BCP
2. I sleep very lightly. I know you are supposed to take your temp after 3 hours of sleep, but does it have to be 3 hours of straight sleep? I often wake up for a few minutes (tossing and turning, but not getting out of bed) and then going back to sleep. I know this was happening on both mornings.
3. I have a small fan on my nightstand. Could this lower my temp if it is pointing toward my body?
4. DH thinks my temps will be screwy since I shower every other night. (Please don't think I'm gross...I promise, I don't stink! And showering less helps with my eczema). He thinks my temp will increase on the nights I take a shower and will therefore be higher the next morning (and lower the mornings after I don't take a shower). Possible?
5. Is getting up in the night to pee okay as long as I am going back to bed for another couple hours before taking my temp?

Like I said, I know it's probably too early to tell if my temps will be erratic...I just wanted to see if any of these scenarios might cause problems. I will keep charting and see how it goes!

*I will post this question in the fertility charting board also*

[ShawnaCAN]

You do need to take your temperatures after at least 2 hours of sleep, and as close to the same time every morning as possible.

The fan could account for a lower temp, but if it's on every single night - then you should still see a consistent pattern. It will only mess things up if it's on some nights, and not others.

The evening shower will not affect your morning temp.

Getting up to pee is fine, yes - if you're going back to bed for a few more hours.

Keep in mind that evaluating your temp day by day isn't the most important thing, but the overall pattern is what matters! That is how you will identify a thermal shift.

A few things that can make temping bouncy are breastfeeding (doesn't apply to you), and mouth breathing. Mouth breathing can account for temps that are erratic, so it might be of some benefit to consider vaginal temping.

If taking your temperatures is a bother and just too frustrating, you could also learn a method of NFP that doesn't require temps (like Billings or Creighton), because you will know just as much about your fertility by accurately observing your cervical mucus patterns in detail.

Good luck! Have patience with your body as it recovers from the BCP, that can take time - so hang in
there!