[mommaluvs2730]

Hi new here to this board but not to JM! I just recently got off BC and I guess trying to concieve. I was wondering how do you start a fertility chart and all that great stuff???

[lucidity03]

Hi! I'll start with trying to help you out on this...

First thing's, first, you'll need to get a BBT thermometer. It measures to the .00 degree, not the .0 degree. So, it's more accurate.

Then, you need to take your temp first thing in the morning, before you even move. You're supposed to get at least three good hours of sleep before taking the temp. You can temp orally or vaginally. I think most women do it orally. Either way, you have to keep with that way once you start it.

Every day you take your temp, record it. (Most women here seem to use www.fertilityfriend.com) It's very handy. I just put in my temp every morning. You can also record your CM and CP. I don't check my CP so I can't help you too much on that one.

Anyway, after a bit of time taking temps, you should notice a thermal shift. When you see your temps noticibly higher for three days, you probably ovulated. Ovulation GENERALLY occurs the day BEFORE the first temperature spike. You should see your CM getting wetter towards ovulation. After ovulation, it generally dries up pretty quickly.

Okay, I think I sort of got you started. I had been a newbie for a while and thought I'd take a stab at helping someone with this. Fertilityfriend.com (ff as it's often called here) has a whole course you can take and it will teach you step by step on how to chart.

Aside from learning things here, I learned everything from their course.

Good luck!

She pretty much covered everything, but I want to add that I strongly suggest reading the book "Taking CHarge of Your Fertility". It is the bible of TTC/Charting and I learned sooo much from that book!

[sjkduke]

I also wanted to add--make sure you take your temp at the same time every day--it's very important!

Glad you're here!!! Good luck, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask away!