temping question

tmenard29

This is my first month charting and I was wondering what is most important for the accuracy of your chart. I hope this doesn't sound silly but I feel like I have got 2 conflicting sets of instructions for temping.

I have read that you need to have had 2 solid hours of sleep before taking your temperature and I have also read that taking your temperature at the same time each day is really important.

I feel like every morning I am waking up at different times before my alarm goes off. Some days I am awake at 4 or 4:30 other days it is 5 or 6am and I wake up. My alarm is set for 6:45 so some days I am only able to go back to sleep for 30 minutes or an hour.

So should I take my temp at the random time I wake up because I know I have had 2 or more hours of sleep or should I just go with the same time every day. Are temps taken after falling asleep for under 2 hours accurate and uesful? Any insight would be really apreciated!!! TIA!

bryanandkatrina

According to TCOFY - I believe you should have 3 hours of undisturbed sleep and temp at the same time everyday.

I have heard that anything within 30 mins to an hour of your normal temp time could still be considered valid, but you really should try to temp as close to the same time everyday as possible.

You are looking for a clear thermal shift - after a few cycles you'll be able to see a pattern, and that what's most important.

ETA: there are days here and there when I wake up before my alarm, but I make it a point not to move or get out of bed - just roll over and go back to sleep until it's time to temp at my normal time. Moving around and getting up is what really screws with your temps.

hbkises

this is just me..I'm the same way as you.  I tried both ways and my temps were more steady and chartable if I just took them as soon as I woke up as long as I had 3 hours because if I waited to take them until it was the same time every day, they were all over the place. 

As far as the 2 hours, I've actually read that it's 3 hours..but that might just the a difference of opinion and not fact.

tctibbe

I am constantly waking up before my alarm goes off.  If that happens, I roll-over, take my temp, and then go back to sleep.  I find that if I don't do that then when I really wake-up and temp, my temps are not good (usually a lot higher than the original temp).  I've heard its 3 hours too....

smallfry5909

Thanks for asking this question! I am a terrible sleeper, and I wake up at random times all throughout the night. I've often wondered what others do, because my temps have been super wonky!

CheesyPeas

smallfry5909:

Thanks for asking this question! I am a terrible sleeper, and I wake up at random times all throughout the night. I've often wondered what others do, because my temps have been super wonky!

Agreed.  Good question.  I've been wondering this as well since I toss and turn and wake up a lot throughout the early morning hours.

cubsgirl13

I actually feel like what time you take it at every day is more important than if you just wake up randomly at like 4:30, look at the clock, and go back to sleep.  I think that if you aren't actually getting out of bed, then I wouldn't really consider it "waking up."  If you go right back to sleep, then I think your temps would be fine. 

If you are consistently waking up before your 6:45 alarm, maybe try setting it earlier for like 5am or something, taking your temp, and then going back to sleep.  At least then you'd have some consistency.  I have a very hard time going back to sleep after I take my temp though.