BBT? Give me the basic breakdown in what my temps are suppose to do...?

Question

This is my first month "temping" and I'm keeping my charts on fertility friend and Ivillage... I've only taken my temps for the past four days (just finished my period on Tuesday, thats when I started temping) The chart on Ivillage is making it look like I ovulated (i think)... I havent had a + OPK yet.. I'm a bit confused as to what I'm looking for as far as a "dip" and what not.... Advise would be appreciated!! Here are my temps so far..

CD7 - 98.29

CD8- 97.79 (which shows as a big dip on my chart??)

CD9- 98.20

CD10- 98.23

I have no idea what a coverline is, but I think my charts have already established that its at the 98.2 mark???? I have no clue here! Thanks in advance for your help!!

Answer 1

There is no way your chart can accurately determined a cover line yet.  All of your temps have been about the same.  A coverline in not drawn until you have an increase in temps to a new higher level.  The only temp that is different is your 97.79.  You must follow the rules of charting in order to get accurate info.  

When charting individual temps mean nothing. You are looking at patterns. Preovulatory temps go up and down in a low range. Postovulatory temps go up and down in a high range. Most preovulatory waking temps range between 97.0 and 97.5 and postovulatory temps range from 97.6 to 98.6. But you have to see what is normal for your body

You must follow the rules of charting in order for your temps to be accurate & for your chart to be accurately interpreted.

Rules of charting:

-temp must be taken around the same time every morning (within an hour)

-temp must be taken as soon as you open your eyes before you even move out of bed

-you must sleep for a minium of 3 consecutive hours for the temp to be valid

-drinking acohol, being sick, not getting at least 3 hours of consecutive sleep and taking your temps at different times make those temps unreliable and in valid

Look at this for the rules:  Rules of charting read this:  http://baby2see.com/preconception/basal_...

Only some people get a dip.  So unless you have been charting three complete cycles and see that you have a pattern of a dip-- this is not something that you can count on.  

The chart is only going to tell you after you ovulated.  Temping confirms ovulation.  It does not predict it.  In order to have an idea of when you are in your fertile phase, observe your cervical mucus.

In order to get pregnant you need fertile cervical fluid/mucus. The cervical mucus consistency varies through a woman's cycle. The consistency of your cervical mucus changes during the cycle due to hormonal fluctuations. You are considered most fertile when the mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy. Many women compare mucus at this stage to raw egg whites. The amount of this thin mucus will steadily increase until you experience your 'mucus peak'. This is the last day of this phase where the chance of conception is high. It is closely tied to ovulation. During this phase, the sperm's survival rate is higher. Here is some information of cervical mucus.

Stages of Cervical Fluid: Post Menses

Stage 1: Lasting 2 - 3 days CM is Sticky or Gummy

Stage 2: Lasting 2- 4 days: CM is Creamy, Milky, Lotion Like - Beginning of your fertile period

Stage 3: Lasting 1-5 days: Egg white Cervical Fluid - At this time you are very fertile.

Stage 4: Dry, Moist or Sticky (Infertile)

Here is a more detailed description:

http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/cervic...

http://www.fertilityuk.org/nfps401.html - this one has pictures

To determine when you ovulate, you look for a temp rise of at least two tenths of a degree above the six previous temps-- your temp must stay at this new higher level for a minium of 3 days then you can be certain that you ovulated on the last day of the lower temps.  

A coverline is drawn one tenth of a degree above the highest temp in the low range (pre-ovulation) --- only the six temps before the temp rise are used for this- those are the temps you look at and draw the coverline one tenth of a degree over the highest.  

Read the book: Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. The book explains your cycle, charting and how to get pregnant. It is a great book and a must read!

Answer 2

basically, your temp will go up AFTER ovulation (which is why its best to chart for a few months so you can fig out about when you ovulate) and will stay up above your coverline until either the day before or day of af, when they will fall back to or below your coverline temp. If your temp stays up, or continues to go up more than 18days after ovulation, that can usually indicate pregnancy was achieved.  my coverline is about 98.2 , after i ovulated this last cycle it spiked at about 99.1 and then stayed at about 98.8 until the day before af, when it went to 98.1.  also, after ovulation, if pregnancy was achieved, some women will experience an implantation dip in their temps. you can learn more about it on fertiltiyfreinds website or take the charting tour, for people new to charting. i hope this helps. it is all a little confusing, but after a few months you will see a pattern and will understand your temps and body a lot better. good luck!