[SarieP]

Hey ladies! I am interested in starting to chart. I need help! I just looked at someones chart and it just about gave me a headache....I'm so confused! So I know I need a thermometer...where do I get one and what kind? Do I temp orally or vaginally? And how do I do that?

Would this help me with my cycle? I quit taking BCP Sept 5th and got what I thought was a period on Sept 9th...it lasted about 5-6 days and now I've had nothing ever since. I'm on CD 50 and I'm not even sure if I've O'd or am going to. Do you ladies think charting will help me? Or will it just make me even more crazy about getting PG?

Any tips/advice would be awesome

[Shalyn]

I think it will definitely help because it will be able to tell you if you are ovulating or not.

I got my BBT at Rite Aid and I think it was $9.99 on sale. I don't think a Walgreen's one is recommended as I know a lot of the ladies have had problems with them. I temp vaginally because I started out temping orally and my temps were all over the place.....I found out later that if you breath through your mouth at all at night, your temp can be all over, so vaginally it is for me. All you do is put the thermometer "up there" not very far, and wait for the beep Make sure you temp before you get out of bed every morning and try to make sure you've had at least 3 hours of sleep.

I use Fertility Friend and it is awesome when you are getting started because they have a charting school that teaches you everything you will need to know and more!

Good Luck!

[SarieP]

Good info thanks! What kind of thermometer do I need....what is BBT?

Do I have to take my temp at the same time every day? During the week is easy because I get up at the same time for work but I don't wake up that early on the weekends....

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Hi there! Welcome to the board! I definitely think charting will help you. Your cycles may be a little wacky for a while since you just came off the pill but they should start to get back to normal soon. If you don't get a period in the next few weeks though I would call your doctor. Charting will help you figure out what is going on but if you don't get a period soon you may need to see your doc.

As for how to start, I would get a basal thermometer and just start with taking your temp daily. I buy mine from early-pregnancy-tests.com but you can also buy them at your drug store. I suggest staying away from the Walgreens brand. It is awful!

Then you want to start taking your temperature as soon as you wake up in the morning and before you get out of bed. You need to take it at the same time every day to have an accurate chart so I would set your alarm and keep your thermometer next to your bed. Once you start temping we will help you figure out what it all means.

Take it in baby steps. Don't try to figure it all out right away.

We have a subforum for charting school and you can also go over to Fertility Friend and sign up for their charting course. I would also recommend picking up the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It is a really great book and will teach you everything you need to know. We will help you too!

[iVari]

I just started charting about a week ago. Like you I thought there was no way I could figure it out, but once you get going it's not too bad at all. Main thing is to stay consistent with your time and follow the rules. I take my temp when I'm half asleep, I have a note pad on my bed stand and as soon as the beeps go off on the thermometer I write it down. Then when I'm up and about I enter it into my chart. That's all there is to it

I have yet to learn how to read a chart, but that will come with time lol. Good luck, and you will find so much info here to help you along the way.

[TeresaSuperMama]

I agree with what was posted. As far as weekend, I would make an attempt to take your temp at the same time on the weekends, but if you can't then do it as close to that time as you can. Usually I set my alarm take my temp and go right back to sleep. I use my cellphone for an alarm so I can have it right next to me and right next to my thermometer so I literally just have to roll over temp and go back to sleep. It surprisingly hasn't been hard for me to go back to sleep nor as disruptive as I thought it would be.

[Mod-LilSunshine]

Welcome to charting! The other ladies gave you a lot of great advice!

Oh, and ditto on all of the comments on the Walgreens thermometer...it stinks!

[AngelM82]

Yes, Walgreen's BBT is BAD! lol

And I second what Teresa said about the weekend. I use my cellphone alarm and have it positioned right next to the theromometer on the nightstand. Turn off the alarm, quick temp, and go back to sleep. I really thought I would never get back to sleep but I maybe struggled once when I first started, it's really just second nature now and this is my second cycle charting temps.

[alicenwonderland]

Welcome! Charting has been an invaluable tool in my TTC journey, and i hope it's the same for you.

First you need a thermometer. Mine is from Target. You can tell the difference between it and the regular kind, becuase the package will say 'basal' and the thermometer is pink. This is the only kind i've used. I temp vaginally because i snore and it cools my mouth down.

I recommend some kind of charting software. Good places are Ovulation Calendar and Ovulation Chart - Fertility Charting and Taking Charge of Your Fertility I use both. Fertility friend is free and available only online. Ovusoft is a one time payment, and you can download it to use on your computer even if you don't have internet access to put in your info all the time. This has been very useful on trips.

Another thing to start noticing, is your vaginal sensation, and observe anything thats coming out on your panties. Different consistencies of cervical mucous mean you are different places in your cycle.

I know if sounds soooo complicated, but it becomes second nature. I've charted for over 2 years.