[follesurtoi]

I am just getting started in charting and am getting more confused with everything I read. Can someone, anyone, give me clear, plain instructions on how to chart and what it means when my temp drops, and rises, etc. Basically the ins and out of charting by basal temp only, would be so so so helpful. I know to take it when I first get up, before getting out of bed, at the same time every day. But can anyone pls take me from there? Many thanks!!!!!!!!

[ShawnaCAN]

I am just getting started in charting and am getting more confused with everything I read. Can someone, anyone, give me clear, plain instructions on how to chart and what it means when my temp drops, and rises, etc. Basically the ins and out of charting by basal temp only, would be so so so helpful. I know to take it when I first get up, before getting out of bed, at the same time every day. But can anyone pls take me from there? Many thanks!!!!!!!![/b]

1. Sperm need fertile mucus to survive. When mucus is present, sperm can live up to 5 days in the woman's body to wait for ovulation to occur.

2. When a woman is fertile, the cervix produces mucus which is unique for her

3. Ovulation occurs only once per cycle and the ova can live up to 24 hours

4. After ovulation, a woman's basal body temperature rises. For it to be a true thermal shift, you must have 3 temperatures which are at least .1 degrees higher than the previous 6 temperatures.

5. Dips mean NOTHING. Some women get them, some don't - alone, they do not prove anything.

6. As estrogen rises to begin the ovulation process, mucus is produced. As ovulation nears, the mucus becomes wetter and more lubricative. Peak day is the LASt day of slippery mucus, followed by a drastic drying up of the mucus. Ovulation usually occurs on Peak day, one day after, and up to two days after.

7. Mucus can be observed a number of ways. The least accurate is to check internally. The most accurate is to pay attention to what you feel as you go about your daily activities - do you feel dry? Do you feel wet? Do you feel sticky or slippery or watery or whatever? You can also check for mucus by observing the toilet paper when you go to bathroom.

Does that explain it, or make it more confusing?

A few books I reccomend (I also highly reccomend charting instruction from a teacher).
The Billings Ovulation Method by Dr. Lyn Billings and Ann Westmore
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler

[TeresaSuperMama]

Okay, the temperature part is really not so hard. Cervical Mucous takes a little more practice.

Take your temps the same time every day, first thing before getting out of bed. What you are looking for is a temperature shift. You will not be able to tell if you O'd until after you actually O. Once you have O'd you will see your temperatures will be higher and stay higher Have you checked out the sticky on tips for getting started http://www.justmommies.com/boards/in...owtopic=259897

If you create a chart online, most of the girls here will help you with reading your chart until you get the hang of it.

Teresa