Written by Editorial Team
If you are trying to conceive, ovulation is one of the most significant factors to pay attention to. Ovulation takes place after the ovary releases a mature egg that is ready for fertilization into the Fallopian tube. It usually takes place in the middle of your menstruation cycle, but it does not hold true in all cases. With an irregular period, your ovulation can be delayed or you may fail to release an egg. In such cases, it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint exactly when ovulation takes place. Here comes the importance of BBT.
To get pregnant, it is important to know when you ovulate so you can time sex appropriately. There are several ovulation predictor kits available in the market, which are handy and helpful in determining ovulating time. But many women prefer to track their ovulation cycle by charting their basal body temperature (BBT). This is an inexpensive, low-tech way that helps to determine when you are ovulating. To understand more about BBT charting continue reading.
In This Article
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is the lowest body temperature in a 24-hour period. It is the resting temperature and is usually taken immediately after waking up in the morning before you indulge in any physical activity. It is best to use a basal thermometer, which is very sensitive and is able to measure even the minutest changes in body temperature. In order to accurately measure the basal body temperature, it is recommended to wake up and take the temperature at same time every day.
The body temperature of a woman drops slightly just before the ovary releases an egg. Then, 24 hours after the egg is released by the ovary, the temperature increases by 0.25 to 0.50 F and remains high until the next period takes place.
The hormone progesterone, secreted by the ovary after ovulation, is behind the slight rise in temperature. This happens as an aftereffect of progesterone preparing the body for pregnancy. The body temperature will remain about half a degree higher until right before next menstruation.
A woman generally has lower temperatures before ovulation, and higher temperatures afterward. This is known as a biphasic pattern. Making a chart of biphasic pattern by recording BBT readings help to determine the ovulating time.
First of all, let’s see what all is required before preparing the chart.
Now let us see how to chart the BBT. Start taking the temperature from the first morning after the period starts. Take care of the tips mentioned above. Now you can:
There are two phases in the chart (biphasic pattern). The first half represents follicular phase with low temperature and second half, the luteal phase, with increased temperature that remains raised until the end of the cycle.
The number of days in the follicular phase can be subjected to some variations in consecutive months but the luteal phase remains constant (14 days) in most cases. Once the luteal phase falls below 10 days it is always advisable to consult the gynecologist, as it can be an indication of some underlying problem that is preventing you to conceive.
Once there is a slight rise in body temperature, it means that you are ovulating and in order to increase your chances of getting pregnant, you need to have intercourse now. When your basal body temperature is at its highest then it is the most fertile day. The few days before this particular day will also be some of your most fertile days. Charting for a few consecutive months will help you to predict a pattern of ovulation thus helping you plan your pregnancy accordingly. It will assist you to recognize your most fertile days in which you are most likely to conceive.
Once you start charting your BBT and if everything is normal with you and your partner, then you can get pregnant within 4 to 6 cycles. This because charting helps you to know when you are ovulating thus allows you to have sex during your fertile times. The chart also lets you identify your normal cycle. When using a chart, it is easy to find your normal ovulatory pattern.
In addition to helping you get pregnant, BBT charting can also alert you to some possible complications, which include:
Although many women prefer charting their BBT it isn’t foolproof. For some women, a clear pattern of temperature may not be visible. It is a myth that every woman ovulates on day 14 of her cycle. In some women a normal pattern of ovulation can mean ovulating on day 10 or day 21. So BBT charting cannot predict ovulation in advance, it can only tell when you are ovulating.
Also, the chances of getting pregnant are highest during the two days before ovulation and the day it happens. The basal body temperature will only show variations 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. The egg only lives for approximately 24 hours, so timing is key. But by the time BBT indicates the ovulation, the clock is already ticking and there will be very little time for fertilization of an egg by the sperm, thus bringing down the chances of pregnancy.
Another drawback of BBT charting is that it is not easy to interpret. There can be rise in body temperature due to other factors also like changes in weather patterns, what you ate the previous night etc.
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
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