[cavewoman]

Anyone know a good site for the basic info on temperature charting? What do you look for and what does it all mean? I am having a hard time figuring this out.. I haven't really been charting and I am 5DPO (based on a generic O date FF gave me) Just yesterday and today I took my temp at the same time each day (in the afternoon though because of my work schedule this week) and I will be able to actually get it at the same time each day through this coming weekend when I would be testing. Just trying to figure out what I should look for? .. though I am kind of thinking if I hadn't been charting my temp all along the rises and dips in temp probably don't hold much weight. I'd like to know for next time around Thanks in advance!

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

JM is a great site with charting info. We also have a charting school subforum that you can look through. (It still needs a lot of work though.) You can also sign up for an account with fertilityfriend.com and they have an email course they send you on charting.

In order to have an accurate chart you need to take your temperature right when you first wake up before you get out of bed. If you are taking your afternoon temp that will not be accurate. It needs to be a resting body temp because once you get moving around that can cause your temp to go up and down. So first thing you should do is pick a time to temp, right when you first wake up and start charting that temperature. If you don't have a basal thermometer you should pick one up. They sell them at CVS and Walgreens or you can order them online at early-pregnancy-tests.com.

If you start we can help you learn as you go along.

What you are looking for on your chart is crosshairs (one vertical, one horizontal). Fertility Friend will mark your chart with crosshairs once you ovulate so you really don't even have to understand what you are doing to get started.


Your preovulation temps will be below the horizontal line (your coverline) and your post ovulation temps will be above it. The vertical line shows where ovulation occurs.

Hope I didn't confuse you too much. Welcome to the board! Please stick around!

[MamaAnna]

She gave you some great information. Also, you can take FF's free charting course. It provides great information both about charting and how to best utilize their software.

[cavewoman]

Oh, you all mean the 18 emails I've gotten from FF so far? lol that is SO intimidating to me, I don't know that I can commit to charting everyday.. I think I will stop stressing for now (or try to anyway) and see what happens in a few days when I test *fingers crossed*

Thank you for the information though! I'm sure if this TTC process goes on a couple more cycles I will be ON TOP of that charting business.. but blah I know myself and I wont be dedicated right now. Anyone else ever feel this way at first?

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by benevolent

Oh, you all mean the 18 emails I've gotten from FF so far? lol that is SO intimidating to me, I don't know that I can commit to charting everyday.. I think I will stop stressing for now (or try to anyway) and see what happens in a few days when I test *fingers crossed*

Thank you for the information though! I'm sure if this TTC process goes on a couple more cycles I will be ON TOP of that charting business.. but blah I know myself and I wont be dedicated right now. Anyone else ever feel this way at first?

You can always just start by charting your fertile signs like your cm and cervix position. That requires a little less commitment and would still be really useful. You can also try using OPKs and see if that helps.

[cavewoman]

..secretly hoping this cycle is it and I won't have to worry about this lol