Thread: BBT Charting Basics

Just starting to chart your Basal Body Temperature (BBT)? Here is some basic information to get you started. For a lot more information, a great book to get is Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It is a wonderful resource, and many women refer to it as their "charting bible".

You should start with recording your temperature each morning, first thing, before you do anything else (don't even get out of bed). It should be taken at the same time every day, and after at least 3 consecutive hours of sleep. A digital thermometer is best... many women swear by a BBT thermometer although they are a bit more expensive. You should record your temps on a chart either on paper, online, or both. Pregnancy.org has free software to do this. The first day of your period (af) is considered cycle day (cd) 1. If you are several days into your cycle now, you can still start charting by entering your data starting on the cycle day you’re on, and leaving the days before it blank.

Recording other signs such as cervical fluid and cervical position can also be helpful things to put on your chart. These can be a bit more tricky, but are important to do. There is information in the thread "Informative Links" which is an announcement at the top of this forum.

Basically, as your chart unfolds, you will be able to tell when your body is preparing to ovulate (O), and when you see a temp rise that stays up above the previous temps for at least three days, you will be able to confirm when you have O'd. It is important to know that O doesn't always happen on cd14 and that the temp rise only happens after O, so you need to be aware of other signs. You should have sex (BD) at least every other day around the time you're expecting O.

Charting sounds like a lot of work, but it is worth it, and you'll get the hang of it once you've done it for a bit. We're here to answer any questions you might have.

Good luck!!!





(thanks Crystal.N for writing this up for us!)

Thanks for posting this information. I am new to this board and wanted some basic information about charting. I've been on the TTCAL board for about a week now and felt foolish not knowing what was going on with charting. Thanks again for that information. I will definetly check out that book too.

I started charting, but I have a serious problem:
I often have to pee desperately when I get up. I totally forget about charting, then I go back to sleep.

Also, even if it weren't for the peeing, I never get up at the same time each day (I'm self-employed)! Is there any way for me to accurately chart??? I did it for over a month and my temps were ALL OVER the place!!!!

I started charting, but I have a serious problem:
I often have to pee desperately when I get up. I totally forget about charting, then I go back to sleep.

Also, even if it weren't for the peeing, I never get up at the same time each day (I'm self-employed)! Is there any way for me to accurately chart??? I did it for over a month and my temps were ALL OVER the place!!!!

I have been taking my temperature for the past week since ovulation and it's been during the day and at night. It's been consistently 99.5 or higher. Does this mean I could be pregnant?

Originally Posted by kdreboty

I have been taking my temperature for the past week since ovulation and it's been during the day and at night. It's been consistently 99.5 or higher. Does this mean I could be pregnant?

It's generally said that if your temps stay up for 18 days after O that you are most likely pregnant. That said, it's possible that you are but I think it's too early to tell. Just use your morning temps, when you first wake up.

Thanks for that. I was wondering how BBT works.

what is the normal tempture of a womans bbt

Originally Posted by photogalv

I started charting, but I have a serious problem:
I often have to pee desperately when I get up. I totally forget about charting, then I go back to sleep.

Also, even if it weren't for the peeing, I never get up at the same time each day (I'm self-employed)! Is there any way for me to accurately chart??? I did it for over a month and my temps were ALL OVER the place!!!!

I have the same problem. I always get up in the middle of the night and pee. Then I don't always get 3 hours of full sleep before I'm up again? Can someone PLEASE help us out?!?!

we are finally ready to begin TTC after a loss. Seems silly that at 41, I'm not sure how to chart. Thanks for the help