charting temps advice needed...new to all this!

[miarosemum]

so got through the door today, loads of ov tests/preg tests/digital thermometer etc but need to know best method and time of day to take temp...also what chart to use. I have a 30 day regular cycle and ovulate between day 14-18 i think?

I used the free one on Fertility Friend. (online)

It's got a lot of info on the website as well.

Oh and you will get the most accurate results by vaginal temping, but most people start off at least doing it orally. Take it as soon as you wake up without getting out of bed.

You take your temperature every day at around the same time immediately on waking. You should stay lying own and as still as you can, as any movement increases your temp.

Then you write them down and when you get to three in a row at least half a degree c higher than the ones before, you have ovulated. You ovulated the day of your last low temp.

I wrote mine down in a list. Graphs can be easier to see, so you can either do it yourself in hard opt or join fertility friend or similar.

Hard *copy

Oh and alcohol, illness and lack of sleep can give falsely high temps.

ooo thanks ladies, had no idea first thing in morning best time to take it. and do you do this every day of your cycle to get used to when you ovulate?

I started off with temp but found it a faff so concentrated on the ovulation tests. They were fab - found out I ovulated on day 17 so was 3 or 4 days out before. That, and pillow under the bum and legs in the air for at least 1/2 an hour, worked for me

Yes, every day to begin with. You may be able to do it just around your fertile time after a few months, but best do it all to start with so you know what your cycle looks like.

Yes, every day. If you sign up to fertility friend (free) they email you a charting course over about 10 days with a bit of info and guidance each day so you learn in manageable chunks. There are also FAQs on the site which tell you what you need to know.

But yes, first time in the morning before moving/drinking/speaking is when you take your temp, and you should take it every day of the cycle, at least to start with.

just signed up to fertility friend now and put my vitals in lol...so am on day 5 now of cyle, AF just finished so had better leave the thermometer by the bedside table for the morning! I have one 5 year old dd with ex partner but we have been ttc for our own dc for 18 mnths now and no joy. did'nt want to get to carried away with temps/ov sticks etc as think sometimes it adds more stress but think we need a little more help now with charting etc. also awaiting results from doctors for partners sperm count to check alls ok there.

You can ovulate at different times every month...I had months when it was day 13, others it was 15 and when I conceived last time it was day 10.

So temping is cheaper than using ov sticks all the time, if your cycles tend to vary. I did find it varied when I was woken in the night, or unwell, or when i forgot the thermometer under my pillow so had to get up and fetch it from the bathroom - or when dp stayed the night so we were awake at odd times, talking or doing the other etc. (particularly annoying if you are ttc )

Also the thingabout ov sticks is that they don't necessarily predict ovulation, just the lh surge. So I'm quite wary of theme!

Op def temp throughout the month until you know your cycles