Charting Temps

CharBart

So how many of you guys chart temps??  I do not, but have been wondering if I should start...give me the details...do you have to take it at the same time every day??..what thermometer do you think is best??..what is you routine around it and what does it all mean??

 I know...lots of questions...but for those of you that have the info, I'm sure there are just as many of us that are curious

 

hollymichael

We are on cycle #4, cycle #3 charting.  I bought a bbt thermometer from Target.  I set my alarm for 6:45am in the morning to temp, but find that I usually wake up between 5:30 and 6 so lately I have been temping earlier and then going back to sleep.  I do like being able to see when I have ovulated.  It has been pretty clear.  Since charting does not tell you when you are ready to ovulate, I have also been using the CBEFM (borrowed from a friend) and checking CM.  Between EWCM and my ovulation pain and the monitor, I don't think the charting is probably necessary, but for some reason I like doing it.  I have also noticed my temp drops the three days before O so that helps predict as well.

The cycle I had a chem pg, my temps were much higher during the 2ww.  It was my first month charting so I didn't know they were high, but in retrospect I can see they were higher than normal.  This would have tipped me off that something was up.  Last cycle, my temps were not nearly as high so I was pretty sure I was not KU.  I didn't like having so little hope, so I may decide not to temp during the 2ww this time. 

Sorry this was so long.  Apparently, I have a lot of thoughts about temping!

hollymichael

In all my rambling, I forgot to mention Fertility Friend.  The site has all kinds of helpful information and is free!

LizzyB11

I love charting. I bought a BBT from Target and take it at 6:45 like pp does. Weekend times might be off, but I don't worry about it too much. I enter the temps in Fertility Friend at work to help keep track of all the info. I also chart CM around O time and use OPKs to help me know when O is coming. I love looking at the temp rise and knowing that I have ovulated. Temping has also saved me money on pregnancy tests. I knew from my temp drop yesterday that AF was on the way. Sure enough-started last night before bed! I personally would rather see the temp drop and have all day to prepare myself to see AF than take a negative pregnancy test. For some reason, it's harder for me to see that on a test! To me, charting is simple and easy. And when I went to the doctor after six months of not getting pregnant, he wanted to see them. He said that would've been his first recommendation of what to do. I was so glad then that I had done charting.

indianasunshine

I've always just charted on paper with copies from the back of TCOYF. ?I use a BBT from CVS and take my temp at 6 every day. ?I have only had 2 anovulatory cycles where I never saw a temp shift. ?Every other month has been like clockwork. ?I am sure FF has a lot more to offer, but I am cheap! It became pretty clear to me early on that our issues were not ovulation related, so I never went for the big guns! ?I also do not chart during treatment cycles. ?I figure my doc has it under control and why bother.