[writerchick324]

I just checked my chart since I added my recent temp. I only have 2 so far! lol but I was suprised since I didn't really think my temp went that far up, but it looks like a good spike for my chart! I don't know what a good spike normally looks like, but it looks cool to me! I am excited to be charting now!

So tell me some temp basics, I haven't really read up on it too much. So if you get near AF, is it supposed to go down, or up? And around O should it go down or up? What are the basics as in making it rise/fall (Implantation, AF, O and such) so that way I can have an idea. And what would the time frame be, like it will go up a few days before/after O, and a steady temp rise near AF means possible pregnancy and such.

I know it's probably different for every person, but just wondering since I am new!

[CandaceDianne]

Usually, your temps will be all over the place (erratic) during AF, your CP will typically be low, firm, and closed, with little to no CM. As O approaches, your CP will start to move higher (almost unreachable), softer, and more open, while your CM will start to change (get sticky, then more creamy). When O is literally right around the corner, your CP will be high, soft, and open, while your CM will be watery (literally). When O happens, you will sometimes see a temp dip (not all the time though) and your CM will turn to egg-white CM (EWCM, which looks like egg whites and is super stretchy!!!). O is confirmed when you have 3-consecutive higher temps tahn your pre-O temps. FF will usually give you cross-hairs with a coverling (i.e. the red crosses in people's charts). After O, your CP will start to lower, become more firm, and more closed. Your CM will usually dry up as well. Your temps may be a little erratic, but still high, right after O. If there is a dip in your post-O pattern, then you may have an implanation dip (not always though). IF you are preggo, your temps will usually continue to climb. If you are not, they will usually fall below the coverling when AF arrives or is about to. I have seen charts perceive a preggo chart, but turn out to be a BFN and charts that appear AF is coming and they get a BFP. There is not a 100% guarantee that your chart will predict what will happen, but it gives you a good idea (and something else to obsess about! ).
Now, remember, this is all TYPICALLY what happens, each woman is different.
I suggest you surf through chart galleries on FF or on here. Also, I recommend you pick up a copy of the Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Its about $30, but you can check it out at the library (if there isnt a wait ) or craigslist.

[writerchick324]

Yeah, I don't really mess around with my CP since I have a very sensitive cervix and the slightest touch really hurts. But it's good to know about the temps of it, and the CM. I think I am going to actually try to save what you wrote up there so I can look back for reference! Thank you for all of that info, I was able to understand it, and it didn't seem difficult! Thanks!

The only thing I don't quite get yet is the crosshairs. What do they mean? And why are they positioned where they are? I look for 3 consecutive higher temps but the crosshairs are dotted at a low temp or something, and i don't quite know what they mean. Is the place they cross the time you probably ovulated? Sorry, I don't know much about charting!

[CandaceDianne]

The vertical line means the day you O'd, the horizontal line shows your highest pre-O temp.

[writerchick324]

Originally Posted by CandaceDianne

The vertical line means the day you O'd, the horizontal line shows your highest pre-O temp.

I can see how the vertical line says that, but not how the horizontal line does. Let me use yours as an example, I'll tell you how I am seeing it. I see that the vertical line says it's on the 9th, day 22 of your cycle...right? So normally O would happen when you have 3 consecutive higher temps. So I am seeing it as the first on day 22, (about 97.0) the next on day 23, (about 97.4) then day 24. (about 97.7). So is it supposed to cross at your highest point? Then wouldn't it cross at the 97.7 one? Cuz on the chart it actually "meets/crosses" at a point where no temp was listed. It's in empty space. That's what I don't really get, lol.

[CandaceDianne]

No, it crosses on Ovulation Day. Ovulation is CONFIRMED by having three-consecutive higher pre-O temps. Its hard to explain via typing for me.
See how on CD21 I have a dip, then it starts to rise...well I did not O on CD21 because on CD22 my temp was not higher than my highest pre-O temp. So FF saw I O'd on CD22 because my temp on CD23(97.45), CD24(97.6), and on CD25(97.7) are well above my highest pre-O temp (which was on CD 12 of slightly above 97.3). FF usually does not take into consideration AF temps because they can be SO erratic.
Now, when you are charting, you need to look at teh OVERALL PATTERN. One temp cannot distinguish what is going on.

[writerchick324]

AHHHHHHH.....I am getting it! So a quick question-does it matter where the horizontal line is placed? It's mainly that the vertical line is on the right day, correct? I now understand that you have to have 3 consecutive temps that are higher than any temp before on that chart. I get it now. FINALLY! lol, but the horizontal line does not mean anything? I was confused cuz I was glancing at the temp it landed on, and seeing if it hit any other charted temps-which it didn't-lol, so that got me lost!

Thank you so much for your help! I am getting it!

[CandaceDianne]

The horizontal line is there to give you an idea of what your temps should stay above. Theroretically (yea I messed that spelling up! ), if your temp dips below that, especially closer to when AF is due.

[writerchick324]

AHHHHH...again! I see! So if you were to be prego, you should want your temp above that? Or actually, to kinda know that you did indeed ovulate that day, then your temp would stay above that line?

I am so glad there is a reason for it! lol you explain things so well, I just want you to know, because if I was randomly reading about that somewhere I would be dumbfounded-as in not able to understand a word!

[CandaceDianne]

your welcome and any time!!

[Coley]

YAY Candace!!

Cover lines can be a bit of a... pain to figure out. That was the part that I struggled with understanding the most when I first got started.

That's one of the reasons I think it's nice that FF figures it out for you... because after a few months of seeing how FF does it, it really starts to become clear, ya know?

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by writerchick324

AHHHHH...again! I see! So if you were to be prego, you should want your temp above that? Or actually, to kinda know that you did indeed ovulate that day, then your temp would stay above that line?

I am so glad there is a reason for it! lol you explain things so well, I just want you to know, because if I was randomly reading about that somewhere I would be dumbfounded-as in not able to understand a word!

Candace covered a lot! The horizontal line is your coverline. Here is an article on JM on drawing your coverline that explains this really well. Charting Basics: Drawing Your Coverline
(Now before I confuse you, FF doesn't follow the rules on this article for drawing your coverline but the concept is the same.)

Basically the coverline helps you to see the dividing line between your preo temps and your post o temps. Your preo temps will be below the line and the post o temps above.

The big thing I would focus on is charting your cm. You don't really need to chart your cp. Just watch your cm and if you aren't sure ask. This will give you the best indicator of when you are getting close to ovulating. Your temps may not tell you when you are getting close but they should tell you when you do actually ovulate. Once your temp is up above your coverline for three days you can tell you ovulated. That is the big thing that charting helps with. Once you see you have ovulated you can stop stressing and just wait and watch.

When you have time you should read through the charting school subforum. It is still a work in progress but it is helpful for getting started.

[CandaceDianne]

TCOYF gives pics of CM.....SUPER DUPER helpful!!