bunkie68
01-23-2004, 12:35 PM
These are some commonly asked questions relating to Fertility Charting.
Please remember that you should always consult a health care professional with any serious questions about your health and/or pregnancy. The information provided is taken from "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. The information provided here is only a guide.
How do I determine Cycle Day 1?
The first day of your cycle is the first day of regular red flow. Do not count spotting as Day 1 because spotting can mean many different things.
Why do I need a BBT thermometer? What does BBT mean?
BBT is "basal body temp" this is your waking temp. You temp falls during the night as you rest. Upon awakening this temp can tell you a lot about your cycle because certain hormones relating to your cycle can affect this temperature. In order to record you BBT you need a thermometer that will register your temp within at least each tenth of a degree. A glass fever thermometer will only register 96.2, 96.4, 96.6 (every other) instead of 62.1, 96.2, 96.3 etc.
What if I don't sleep well?
In order to get a proper reading for your chart, you must have at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep. Any less will give you an inaccurate temp. Only take your temp once, upon awakening and before doing anything else. Do not rise out of your bed to even use the restroom. Don't make yourself crazy by temping three or four times. Always use the first temp. If you have doubts or are not sure if you slept for three hours, discard the temp. Your chart will be perfectly readable with a missing temp or two.
Why are my temperatures lower/higher on average than everyone else's?
There is no "standard" as far as temps. Each woman is different. However if your temps are REALLY low, that could indicate a hypothyroid and if your temps seems to be much higher, that can indicate a hyperthyroid. Both of these can indicate problems with TTC. If you have problems conceiving, be sure to point this out when you see a doctor.
What happens if I have a fever?
If you are sick and feverish, your temps will be higher in the morning. You can usually disregard them. The only time they cause confusion is if they happen at O time. Keep in mind that drinking and oversleeping can cause temps to be askew.
My temp is still high but AF has arrived, what does that mean?
Some women have temps that don't go down until after AF arrives, some have temps that crash before AF arrives. You have to see what is normal for you. However if you have spotting and your temps remain high, you should take an HPT or call your doctor for a test.
I just went off BCP and so far my temps haven't risen, what does this mean?
Some women will ovulate directly after stopping the pill; others may have to be patient. Sometimes it takes a while for your system to get back into working order. If it's a few months and you are getting impatient, discuss this with your doctor (don't forget to take in your charts!)
I had a temperature rise, so which day was ovulation?
Ovulation is the last day of your lower temps. Temps cannot tell you when O is coming only confirm that it has occurred. You should watch the progression of your CM for impending ovulation.
What if my CM doesn't seem to have a pattern?
Though this makes things harder, reading CM comes with practice. If your temps are signaling that you are ovulating regularly, it may not be an issue. However keep in mind that some women don't produce a lot of CM and this can cause a problem with the sperm getting to the egg. You may need to seek the advice of your doctor.
I don't seem to be getting a temp rise, what's wrong?
You are probably not ovulating, and if you are TTC you should take your charts and consult a doctor.
How do I adjust my temp if I woke up late?
It's not recommended. Though temps tend to creep up one tenth of a degree for each extra half hour you sleep, it isn't exact. Adjusting your temps can throw off your chart.
What could be causing my spotting?
Spotting around time of ovulation can be common for some women. If you have excessive midcycle spotting, see your doctor. Spotting in the Luteal Phase (time between ovulation and AF) can signal implantation or a progesterone deficiency. Again, if you spot during the Luteal Phase, you may need to see your doctor if you are trying to get pregnant.
What is an implantation dip?
This is something that happens for some women when the egg implants in the uterus. Your temp dips slightly and goes back up the next day. This can occur along with some minor spotting. Some people believe this is a myth.
So if I didn't get a dip, does that mean I'm not pregnant?
No, not all women get it. It's not an indicator either way. Some women get a dip and are not pregnant.
Is my luteal phase too short to support a pregnancy?
It is recommended that your LP be at least 12 days to support a pregnancy. If it's ten days or less and you are TTC, you should see a doctor.
I'm breastfeeding, can I still chart?
While breastfeeding, AF may be MIA for a while. It differs for everyone. If you wish to avoid for a while you can most certainly chart. Your charts will probably appear erratic until your cycles return to normal.
I've been really stressed, is that making AF late?
Only indirectly. Once you ovulate, AF will be there within 12-16 days regardless. Stress cannot stop this, however, stress can delay when you ovulate.
How long does the egg live?
No longer than 24 hours.
It doesn't appear that I ovulated, but I got AF, why?
Sometimes you can have an annovulatory cycle where you do not release an egg. You still can have estrogen breakthrough bleeding that isn't true AF because you did not release an egg. You shouldn't have any PMS symptoms with break-through bleeding because there is no progesterone in your system.
Remember, this is only a guide.
Please remember that you should always consult a health care professional with any serious questions about your health and/or pregnancy. The information provided is taken from "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. The information provided here is only a guide.
How do I determine Cycle Day 1?
The first day of your cycle is the first day of regular red flow. Do not count spotting as Day 1 because spotting can mean many different things.
Why do I need a BBT thermometer? What does BBT mean?
BBT is "basal body temp" this is your waking temp. You temp falls during the night as you rest. Upon awakening this temp can tell you a lot about your cycle because certain hormones relating to your cycle can affect this temperature. In order to record you BBT you need a thermometer that will register your temp within at least each tenth of a degree. A glass fever thermometer will only register 96.2, 96.4, 96.6 (every other) instead of 62.1, 96.2, 96.3 etc.
What if I don't sleep well?
In order to get a proper reading for your chart, you must have at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep. Any less will give you an inaccurate temp. Only take your temp once, upon awakening and before doing anything else. Do not rise out of your bed to even use the restroom. Don't make yourself crazy by temping three or four times. Always use the first temp. If you have doubts or are not sure if you slept for three hours, discard the temp. Your chart will be perfectly readable with a missing temp or two.
Why are my temperatures lower/higher on average than everyone else's?
There is no "standard" as far as temps. Each woman is different. However if your temps are REALLY low, that could indicate a hypothyroid and if your temps seems to be much higher, that can indicate a hyperthyroid. Both of these can indicate problems with TTC. If you have problems conceiving, be sure to point this out when you see a doctor.
What happens if I have a fever?
If you are sick and feverish, your temps will be higher in the morning. You can usually disregard them. The only time they cause confusion is if they happen at O time. Keep in mind that drinking and oversleeping can cause temps to be askew.
My temp is still high but AF has arrived, what does that mean?
Some women have temps that don't go down until after AF arrives, some have temps that crash before AF arrives. You have to see what is normal for you. However if you have spotting and your temps remain high, you should take an HPT or call your doctor for a test.
I just went off BCP and so far my temps haven't risen, what does this mean?
Some women will ovulate directly after stopping the pill; others may have to be patient. Sometimes it takes a while for your system to get back into working order. If it's a few months and you are getting impatient, discuss this with your doctor (don't forget to take in your charts!)
I had a temperature rise, so which day was ovulation?
Ovulation is the last day of your lower temps. Temps cannot tell you when O is coming only confirm that it has occurred. You should watch the progression of your CM for impending ovulation.
What if my CM doesn't seem to have a pattern?
Though this makes things harder, reading CM comes with practice. If your temps are signaling that you are ovulating regularly, it may not be an issue. However keep in mind that some women don't produce a lot of CM and this can cause a problem with the sperm getting to the egg. You may need to seek the advice of your doctor.
I don't seem to be getting a temp rise, what's wrong?
You are probably not ovulating, and if you are TTC you should take your charts and consult a doctor.
How do I adjust my temp if I woke up late?
It's not recommended. Though temps tend to creep up one tenth of a degree for each extra half hour you sleep, it isn't exact. Adjusting your temps can throw off your chart.
What could be causing my spotting?
Spotting around time of ovulation can be common for some women. If you have excessive midcycle spotting, see your doctor. Spotting in the Luteal Phase (time between ovulation and AF) can signal implantation or a progesterone deficiency. Again, if you spot during the Luteal Phase, you may need to see your doctor if you are trying to get pregnant.
What is an implantation dip?
This is something that happens for some women when the egg implants in the uterus. Your temp dips slightly and goes back up the next day. This can occur along with some minor spotting. Some people believe this is a myth.
So if I didn't get a dip, does that mean I'm not pregnant?
No, not all women get it. It's not an indicator either way. Some women get a dip and are not pregnant.
Is my luteal phase too short to support a pregnancy?
It is recommended that your LP be at least 12 days to support a pregnancy. If it's ten days or less and you are TTC, you should see a doctor.
I'm breastfeeding, can I still chart?
While breastfeeding, AF may be MIA for a while. It differs for everyone. If you wish to avoid for a while you can most certainly chart. Your charts will probably appear erratic until your cycles return to normal.
I've been really stressed, is that making AF late?
Only indirectly. Once you ovulate, AF will be there within 12-16 days regardless. Stress cannot stop this, however, stress can delay when you ovulate.
How long does the egg live?
No longer than 24 hours.
It doesn't appear that I ovulated, but I got AF, why?
Sometimes you can have an annovulatory cycle where you do not release an egg. You still can have estrogen breakthrough bleeding that isn't true AF because you did not release an egg. You shouldn't have any PMS symptoms with break-through bleeding because there is no progesterone in your system.
Remember, this is only a guide.