BBT vs. Fever Thermometer

vanillajen · February 2011

I was just brushing up on some FF lessons and for some reason it really stuck out to me how much they emphasize using a BBT and not a typical thermometer. I've just been using a digital fever thermometer thinking it probably didn't make a difference...and after reading that I feel a little paranoid about my crazy chart! Anyone have an opinion on this? Anyone use a "regular" thermometer without a problem? Pretty sure I'm going to swing by Target tonight and pick up a BBT regardless!

leathersmel4 · February 2011

The only real difference is that a regular only reads to the 10th degree, and the BBT reads to the 100th

FredAndCat · February 2011

I use a regular thermometer and you can still see my temp shifts. I did have the CVS BBT, but it took so long to read the temp I'd fall back asleep with it in my mouth. Now I just use a regular Vick's one.

bellaarchitect · February 2011

https://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Choosing-a-thermometer.html

"It is important that you use a Basal Body Temperature (BBT) thermometer for accurate fertility charting. If your chart is unclear or unusual, you don't want to wonder whether or not your thermometer is responsible for the ambiguity or unusual pattern. A fever thermometer, even a digital one, is not usually able to give you the sensitivity and precision you need for fertility charting. You need to make sure that your thermometer is a BBT one. It should say BBT, Basal Thermometer, or Fertility Thermometer on the package.You can find a BBT thermometer at most well-stocked pharmacies and drugstores. We recommend using a digital BBT thermometer for ease of use, but a mercury BBT thermometer will also work."

I made this mistake in my first cycle charting too.

vanillajen · February 2011

bellaarchitect:
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Choosing-a-thermometer.html
"It is important that you use a Basal Body Temperature (BBT) thermometer for accurate fertility charting. If your chart is unclear or unusual, you don't want to wonder whether or not your thermometer is responsible for the ambiguity or unusual pattern. A fever thermometer, even a digital one, is not usually able to give you the sensitivity and precision you need for fertility charting. You need to make sure that your thermometer is a BBT one. It should say BBT, Basal Thermometer, or Fertility Thermometer on the package.You can find a BBT thermometer at most well-stocked pharmacies and drugstores. We recommend using a digital BBT thermometer for ease of use, but a mercury BBT thermometer will also work."
I made this mistake in my first cycle charting too.

Exactly. This is the part that caught my attention! Alright, done deal. I'm getting a BBT tonight. Thanks for the input!

greeneyed_bride · February 2011

I've been using a fever thermometer this cycle (my first cycle charting), and I'm able to see a clear thermal shift with it (see my chart). However, I'm planning to switch to a BBT next cycle. I already bought one, but I couldn't switch mid-cycle because the two were reading about .5 degrees apart, so it would have messed up my chart. A fever thermometer shouldn't make your temps look "crazy" if they're actually pretty steady, but it also won't show you smaller temperature shifts like a BBT will.

punkymama · February 2011

If you go get a BBT from Target tonight, it's strongly encouraged to not switch thermometers in the middle of a cycle. I just want to throw that out there.

vanillajen · February 2011

punkymama:
If you go get a BBT from Target tonight, it's strongly encouraged to not switch thermometers in the middle of a cycle. I just want to throw that out there.

Thanks for the advice! I *think* my cycle is coming to an end soon? So I'll hold off and be ready to go for cycle #2.

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