Confused about temps.

[ready4motherhood]

Wanted to start a new thread as I didn't want to detract from all the BFP November talk...

I don't think it was a good idea to start temping part way through my cycle as now I am starting to doubt whether I am ovulating at all

When I bought my thermometer the information booklet I got with it says that "the temperature shift is identified by readings that are at least 0.1 degree C higher than the previous 6"... and some of you wonderful ladies are saying it is 0.3 so now I am confused.

As well as temps I have been checking my CM too and had EWCM for a few days, which I thought meant that I was coming up to ovulation??

Where am I going wrong??

Sorry to go on I am just pretty low this evening.

Hi ready - Sorry to hear you are low. I'm afraid I can't help too much with temping as I've only been doing it for 18 days, but just wanted to say 'hi'

For what its worth I understand EWCM is a strong sign of OV.

Aaw thanks RachelRose.. "HI" back

I thought I might be the only one still up

It's my own fault really... I wanted to get into a routine of remembering to take the temps at the same time, but shouldn't have started writing them down or expecting to be able to tell anything from them!!

I am glad EWCM is a good sign. Phew. Was starting to think I might not be ovulating... I know, I know, what a drama queen!!

Hope you are doing ok, good luck with your temps!!

Feeling a little better, checked out a couple of websites which have put my mind at ease a little... still confused about the different opinions on the temperature shift... Interested to know Cityangel/MrsMcJnr where you read it was 0.3 of a degree??

Hi Ready4Motherhood,

I would suggest you chart a few cycles before you start analysing your temps. It does take some time to get into it. Unfortunately EMCM is not a clear cut indicator of ovulation, but can indicate a host of other things that you would not normally expect. A dip in temp. before a dramatic rise is more of an indicator that ov is taking place. Your temps. should rise at least 0.2 of a degree above the highest temp of the 6 previous temps. and should stay there for at least 10 days to indicate LP (lutheal phase). Your first day of this phase indicates day of ovulation. Something you won't necessarily know if you don't have a previous cycle's record to compare it to.

Do not get yourself too worked up about it this early in your charting history as stress also has a impact on your ovulation.

HTH

Thanks Mum2Funky... it's funny how different sources have different temperatures as a guide. I think you are right, it is silly to worry about it until I have been charting for a few months. Don't know why I let myself get worked up!!

Everyone is sooo helpful and I am always asking questions, but perhaps too much information is not good for me

Ready - I feel like I have failed you It does take time. Keep charting and it'll all fall into place. Are you plotting your findings on a chart? if you were using a software package like Ovusoft.com, it would calculate the coverline, ov etc for you. You get a 15 day free trial on that one. There may be differing opinions on how much of a rise you need to prove OV has taken place(the ones I gave you were Toni Weshcler's) but at the end of the day, the rules that Mum2funkydude set down for you are right as a rule of thumb. There is a cycle gallery on the Ovusoft site too that might help. Feel so bad that I've just made things more stressful for you!

MrsMcJnr - I'm sooooo sorry. I feel so guilty that you feel like that Honestly, you have been such a wealth of information for me, which I appreciate more than you will ever know! And I really value what you have to say, that is why I got soooo down, cos I know that what you are saying is right it means I might not have ovulated, or I am not charting properly.

I promise to stop asking you so many questions!! Please do not feel like you have failed me... that is so not the case. You are right, I should just keep charting. The booklet I got has charts to use in it - although I don't think they are that good - seriously considering getting the software!! It will take more than 8 temps mid cycle to work out what my body is doing!! I just need to relax about TTC, it's just so frustrating!!

Sorry again and big hugs and thank yous for all your support!!

Ready - please ask us all as many questions as you like, that is how we all learn . I am sure you will have OV or will if you haven't so don't worry, it is just a question of getting used to the charting. Hang in there.

Surely the degree rise (0.1 or 0.3) would depend whether you were talking about centigrade or farenheight??????

Could this be the discrepency perhaps??

Thanks MrsMcJnr - I will keep on asking the questions

Thanks Coggy - you might be onto something there!! I am using celsius, and my book says 0.1, that came with the thermometer.

I think I have OV'd due to CM although apparently that is not a clear cut sign. And there was a slight rise in temps that have remained a little higher for 3 days - so fingers crossed.

Thanks so much ladies. I don't know what I would do without you!!

Hey ready4 These are my online findings hope they help. My shift is usually 0.3 ish... good luck

Ovulating women experience a gradual three-day rise in body temperature, on average 0.4 to 0.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degress Celsius).

Your temperature needs to rise by at least 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit (0.1 degree Celsius). However, as an exception to this rule, you could be a slow riser.
Some women have a type of thermal shift pattern in which their temperature rises by only .1 of a degree fahrenheit (0.05 degrees celsius) at time over a period of several days rather than a sudden jump of several tenths of a degree (fahrenheit or celcius), which is the typical pattern.

Your temperature needs to be at least 0.2 degrees fahrenheit (0.1 degree Celsius) higher than all six (6) temperatures preceeding it.

You should take your temperature as close as possible to the same time each day, as your temperature can vary with time (0.1 C per hour)

After plotting your results examine your chart for a temperature shift of at least .2 C over a 48-hour period to indicate ovulation. Ideally this thermal shift should be above the highest temperatures you have recorded in the previous six days. Some women also experience a slight dip in temperature when they ovulate

Thank you so much Cityangel... I feel really guilty at you going to so much trouble. That has made me feel better, cos my temps (the last 3 days) do show a rise, just not the giant leap that I anticipated. I can relax a bit for now... until next month huh!!

Thanks again

No worries. I needed to know too :0)
I am 3 months in to the temping and I find it all makes sense in retrospect at the end of the month with AF, but at the time is very confusing!

I find it really fascinating actually... how the body's temperature rises due to hormones. And I am looking forward to getting to know how my cycle works. I have always been a 28 (give or take a day or 2) day regular so just assumed I would ovulate on day14, will find out over the coming months if this is the case.

Thanks again for the info... and good luck with your temps and fingers crossed for a BFP for both of us!!!