An ovulation chart is an excellent tool for predicting ovulation, and helping you to get pregnant in the shortest time possible. It’s actually simple to use, because you need to record your basal body temperature every day, with a basal thermometer that is accurate to 0.01 degrees. It will help you to identify when your basal body temperature rises sharply. This sharp rise is because your progesterone levels have peaked, and it indicates that you have just ovulated. It’s interesting to note that BEFORE you ovulate, your temperature will be slightly lower – and this will be the time you’re most fertile.
The best way to measure basal body temperature (BBT), is to be consistent. The first day of your period is the best day to start. You must have slept for at least four hours, and then must take the reading as soon as you wake up. You have to take the reading for at least five minutes while you are still lying in bed, and record the results on the chart that is usually included in the package, or alternatively, you can download blank charts from the internet for no charge.
Now, here come the rules of the game You have some options to choose from, you can take your BBT vaginally or orally, this does not matter as long as you take it in the same spot every time. As stated earlier you must take this after a prolonged period of rest, so no eating, drinking, or exercising before you take your temp. You must leave the thermometer in place as long as the instructions that came with your thermometer state. Most basal thermometers come with a chart in the box however, if you would rather print your own there are several websites that allow you to download and print out a blank ovulation chart. The Mayo clinic recommends using a graph to better visualize these changes every month.
Keep in mind that the increase of progesterone creates the rise in body temp, so if the elevated body temp last a couple of days this will indicate that ovulation has already occurred. By charting these changes on your ovulation chart you will start to notice a pattern after a few months, this should give you a very good idea of when you ovulate, in turn letting you that you may need to put a “do not disturb” sign on the front door during these days!
Some situations can make measuring BBT difficult. If you are a shift worker this can create unreliable results because it is best to take the reading at approximately the same time every day. If you are a poor sleeper and suffer from disturbed sleep or insomnia, this can also skew the results. Being sick, jet lagged, smoking, using an electric blanket or experiencing stress/anxiety, can result in inaccurate results.
While there are many things that can alter the results of your BBT being consistent and unwilling to give up will ultimately pay off in the end. That said, I know life happens when you make other plans and just because you unexpectedly had to up and go some where, or you aren’t sleeping well because of work, or whatever the case, don’t give up! Don’t let one “off” month discourage you from creating an extremely accurate and helpful ovulation chart.
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