Observing & Charting BBT

Start taking your temperature first thing in the morning at the same time everyday.

As soon as you realize you’re awake, pop your thermometer in your mouth and wait for your reading. Instead of having it in the middle on your tongue, you’ll want it to naturally fall to one side of your mouth. Remember that side and use it the same way going forward, consistency is key here.

Your BBT is the lowest temperature during rest and so naturally as soon as you start moving, your temperature will rise. Take your temperature before going to the toilet, snuggling with your partner, moving in the bed, grabbing your phone — this needs to be the first thing you do upon waking.

When I first heard this, I really thought that might not be possible! But I surprised myself that after a cycle or two, my body and mind adjusted and I would habitually reach for my thermometer as soon as I realised I was awake.

Take your temperature and record it in your chart daily.

If you are using a regular BBT thermometer there are a few important factors to note. Because you’ll be relying on these readings to confirm you have ovulated, the temperature readings need to be highly accurate.

To get an accurate reading you’ll need:

– At least 3 hours of sleep before a temperature reading

– Take it first thing in the morning, before doing anything else

– Take it around the same time every day throughout the cycle

But if this seems overwhelming (I get it, it is very strict) you might like to use a wearable thermometer which will make it all much easier. You’ll get an accurate BBT temperature reading even if you:

– Forget to take your temperature first thing in the morning.

– Wake up throughout the night to run to the toilet

– Get up during the night to breastfeed

– Have an irregular sleep cycle

– Work night shifts

– Wake up at different times each morning

Tempdrop will ensure you get an accurate reading despite all of these factors!

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Important things to note about recording BBT:

Traveling (especially between different time zones), sleeping with an electric blanket, sickness or drinking alcohol the night before can all have an affect on your basal body temperature. If any of these occur, mark the temperature as disturbed on your chart and wait until you can confirm the temp +3 rule.

>> Action Step: Start the routine of taking your basal body temperature and recording in your chart daily.