Temping tips

[InsufficientlyCaffeinated]

Given that I have no idea when my cycle or what state it'll be in after a recent MC, I've decided to give temping a go. So, besides taking your temperature first thing in the morning, are there are any tips to doing it right and reading the info? Where is best to take the temperature - armpit, ear, under the tongue etc?

Also can you recommend a good thermometer and apps to record the info (or perhaps old fashioned pen and paper works well?). I have a digital thermometer from Boots but it's a good few years old and I don't think it's very accurate (or my natural temperature is always on the low side which is possible, I do always have poor circulation and an underactive thyroid).

Thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom

The best way to take your temperature is vaginally actually - it gives you the most accurate reading and won't be affected by if you breathe with your mouth open etc. The only other way you can take it is orally - you won't get an accurate reading with armpit or ear.

Many women however can get a perfectly decent reading taking it orally - I was a mouth reader so found that my temperature was all over the place when I did it that way. Was much easier to read and pinpoint ovulation when I did it vaginally.

Amazon is good for digi thermometers, mine only cost me about a fiver I think.

Also make sure you don't get up or anything before taking temp, take it the second you wake up. And note that if you have disturbed sleep, like you've woken a few times in the night, or if you're had alcohol the night before, it can affect the accuracy of your reading.

mouth breather, not reader!

First sentence was supposed to say I have no idea where I am in my cycle.

Thanks Maybebabybee I hadn't thought of taking it vaginally

Are you using an app to record temps? I tried FertilityFriend very briefly but didn't really like it

I've been using Kindara to record temps and other symptoms, I find it brilliant, here's an pic of my chart. The '1' denotes me marking my temperature shift.
If you download this app there are loads of helpful 'knowledge base' articles about temping too.
I've not been temping that long but have been taking oral readings so far which seem to be fine for me.

I always took my temperature orally. They were a bit up and down but always showed ovulation quite clearly. Definitely recommend an app as it takes the guesswork out of it..I really like fertility friend but there is another one called Ovia you might like better. I would also say get a Fahrenheit thermometer not centigrade as it's meant to be more accurate. I can't recommend temping enough it's definitely helped me to fall pregnant both times.