...For Her ...Fertility Charting ...Temperature

As your cycle progress your temperature will change in relation to the hormonal changes taking place.

Recording each day's temperature helps to indicate when ovulation has occurred. You will always know after the event with temperature.

The temperature method requires charting your basal body temperature (BBT), the temperature your body registers when you're completely at rest. BBT will vary slightly from person to person.

Taking Your Temperature
Each morning take your temperature, as soon as you wake up—before getting out of bed, and doing anything else.

Follow the instructions for the type of thermometer you are using - a digital thermometer is easiest.

Charting Your Temperature Pattern

Record every reading, either on a notepad which you keep with your thermometer or directly onto a your OVUPLAN chart or software.

As each day's temperature is plotted on the graph, you will learn to recognise your own pattern. The pattern may vary from cycle to cycle.

Things which influence your temperature

Keep a record of all events on the chart will help to interpret the readings. Also note if you have started to use an new thermometer.

Planning for or avoiding pregnancy

Depending upon whether you are planning a pregnancy or avoiding one will dictate how you use temperature.

If you are planning pregnancy temperature charts will tell you when you have ovulated and therefore are not pregnant and will tell you by a constant rise in temperature (18 consecutive rises) that you are pregnant. To time intercourse you should combine this with testing your cervical fluid.

If you want to avoid pregnancy then, temperature will let you know when you ovulated and when your infertile period starts. If you are new to charting and have no records we advise you to take extra care at the pre ovulatory phase for the first 3 months until you are sure of your body and its cycles. Do not rely on temperature alone.

When are the safe times for avoidance?
Before ovulation -

After ovulation -

After the temperature rise has lasted for at least three days, you can assume that your safe days have begun. Check for a rise of at least .2C above your coverline for your 3rd high reading, if it is not 0.2C then wait an extra day.

Infertily begins when you have your 3rd (or 4th) high temperature. You must double check with your cervical fluid and cervix position to be really sure.

You are at your most fertile in the last few days before your temperature rises.

Your temperature will remain high until your next period when your temperature will drop and your period will begin.

Remember that temperature will only tell you that ovulation has occured not when it will occur.

So if you are trying to avoid pregnancy do not rely on this method alone and if you are unsure of your patterns avoid unprotected sex in the preovulatory phase.

Don't underestimate Sperm! Sperm can generally remain capable of fertilising an egg for two to three days after ejaculation. So if you have sexual intercourse several days before ovulation, there's a chance that live sperm could still fertilse a newly released egg.