How to Test Basal Temperature

If you are trying to conceive one way of estimating your most fertile days is by taking your basal body temperature. Your basal body temperature is your body's resting temperature on waking up in the morning. Just prior to ovulation your basal body temperature will drop, raising again once ovulation occurs and stays put for the remainder of your cycle. You will need to commit to a strict routine to test your basal body temperature correctly.

Things You'll Need

  • Temperature chart
  • Basal body temperature thermometer

Instructions

    • 1

      Make a temperature chart. Having a chart to note your daily temperature on allows you to keep track of changes. You will need several copies of the chart for comparison purposes. Your chart should have each day of your cycle horizontally and a starting temperature of 96 F rising in one-tenths of a degree vertically. Ready-made charts are available to print online.

    • 2

      Purchase a basal body temperature thermometer, which are available from most drug stores. You could use a standard digital thermometer, however a basal thermometer detects smaller temperature changes therefore offering greater accuracy.

    • 3

      Take your temperature orally on the first day of your menstrual cycle. It is vital you do this first thing in the morning before any activity including eating and drinking. Your basal body temperature rises as the day wears on and as you become more active, increasing the chances of an inaccurate reading.

    • 4

      Hold the thermometer in your mouth for at least five minutes to achieve the best possible reading. Remove the thermometer after this time and make a note of your temperature on the chart.

    • 5

      Stick to taking your temperature every day at exactly the same time; keep recording on the same chart until the first day of your second cycle when you start a new one. Repeat this process until you are happy you have enough information to pinpoint ovulation. If you have a regular cycle you should ovulate around day 15 of your cycle. The purpose of the charts is to track, by observing temperatures, which day of your cycle is ovulation. If you have irregular cycles, record your temperature for at least six cycles to help you spot a pattern.

    • 6

      Make a note on the chart of any special circumstances that may affect the basal body temperature reading. This can be anything from taking your temperature late to lack of sleep, stress and illness. Alcohol consumption, thyroid problems and certain medications can also affect the reading.

    • 7

      Look at and compare your charts closely. Your basal body temperature before ovulating should be somewhere between 97 F and 97.5 F. Following ovulation you will notice it raises between 97.6 F and 98.6 F. Your best chances of conception are the day of ovulation and the five days prior

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Make Great Money For Egg Donation
      If you could make $10,000 in cash money for egg donation would you do it? Sounds pretty tempting huh? Well money for egg donation is what some may say the newest fad in a struggling economy. Lots of women even those in college are now looking to be a
    • How to Get Pregnant With a Fatty Liver
      A woman who has been diagnosed with Fatty Liver Disease can get pregnant normally, however may face more complications later in the pregnancy if the condition is not monitored closely. Fatty liver disease is the build-up of triglycerides and other fa
    • How to Bring Your Period Back After a Lupron Shot
      A Lupron shot is used to stimulate production of estrogen. Lupron was initially developed as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer in men. It is also prescribed to women who are suffering from severe endometriosis, a condition in which cells that