How to Track Ovulation by Charting Your Basal Body Temperature

1). First you will need to get prepared. The materials that you need for charting your BBT are fairly simple and inexpensive. Of course, since you will be taking you basal body temperature, you will need a thermometer. You can purchase a basal temperature thermometer for under $10.00, or you can use a thermometer you already have. The important thing is that is measures temperature to the .10 degree. You also need a chart that shows your range of temperatures along the days of your cycle. Now, you can make your own chart, but the internet has abundant resources for those wishing to make charting easier. Check the resources section below for a link to a printable BBT chart and also links to a couple of web sites that allow you to chart on-line.
2). Now that you are ready to go, let's understand a little about how all this BBT stuff works. Your menstrual cycle is divided into two phases: the follicular and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is the time before ovulation. Estrogen plays an important role during this time and your temperature tends to be slightly cooler than during the luteal phase, or the time after ovulation, when progesterone takes over. This is known as a biphasic pattern.
So, you can see why charting your BBT would be helpful. It helps you identify when you have ovulated by showing you when your temperature rises slightly and stays elevated
3). Now it's time to take your temperature! (We'll call this temp for short.) It's best to start your BBT chart on cycle day one (CD1) or the first day you have a true red menstrual flow. Take your temperature first thing in the morning before doing ANYTHING else (i.e. your alarm goes off and you grab the thermometer). Don't take a sip of water, kiss your husband, speak, etc. until you have temped. Once you have your reading, record it on your chart. Tip: if you have a thermometer that keeps a history, you can temp and then go back to bed and record it later. This is especially helpful on the weekends, because.....
4). You must temp at the same time every day. That's right. If you get up at 5 AM to get ready for work during the week, you have to get up (or at least briefly wake up) at 5AM on the weekend as well. This is necessary in order to have a consistent and accurate record of your daily temperatures.
5). Keep a BBT for several cycles in order to detect a pattern in ovulation. The general rule is that you have ovulated when your temperature rises .2 degrees higher than any temperature from the previous 6 days, and it stays elevated for at least 3 consecutive days. Note the day this happens on each chart. This will give you an idea of the day you normally ovulate. It is important to have intercourse during ovulation. Anywhere from a few days before until about 24 hours after ovulation is your most fertile time.
6). Unfortunately, charting you Basal Body Temperature only tells you when you have ovulated; it doesn't predict ovulation. So, it's very important to use the information from previous charts to help when it comes to timing intercourse. To maximize your chances of getting pregnant, it is best to use BBT charting along with other fertility awareness methods, such as tracking your cervical mucus. (See Resources below for more information) So, now that your are equipped with more information, it's timed to get started on the journey to parenthood. Good Luck!