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| How do you measure your basal body temperature? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 5 2009, 06:55 AM (199 Views) | |
| cindi | Sep 5 2009, 06:55 AM Post #1 |
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When beginning to take your basal body temperature, it may be helpful to follow these guidelines: * When measuring your BBT it is important to use a special thermometer intended for this purpose. * Shake down your thermometer before you go to bed --if using a mercury thermometer. * Keep your thermometer in easy reach, next to your bed. * Keep a notebook/graph next to your bed along with a pen to record your temperature. * Take your temperature first thing in the morning -- even before getting up to go to the bathroom. * It is important to take your temperature as close to the same time every morning as possible. * Keep your thermometer in place for five minutes before reading. What basal body temperature changes can you expect during your cycle? Basal body temperature, or the temperature of your body at rest, is lower during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle, prior to ovulation. The presence of the hormone estrogen keeps the BBT low. Typically it will range from 97.0 to 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Immediately following ovulation, progesterone “turns up the heat” a bit, and there is typically a rise of at least 0.4 to 0.6 degrees until the time of your next menstrual period. This temperature rise will let you know that ovulation has occurred. If your BBT remains elevated even past the time that your menstrual period is due, it could be a very early indicator of pregnancy. |
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| cindi | Sep 5 2009, 06:55 AM Post #2 |
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Presence of a fever, emotional upset, insufficient sleep, consumption of alcohol or the use of an electric blanket or heating pad can affect your BBT. Charting your basal body temperature Using either a notebook or graph paper, start recording on day one of your menstrual cycle -- the first day of your period. For each day, record your temperature, any reason for a variation in temperature (if applicable), if you made love that day, and if you were menstruating. This charting will not only be invaluable to you but will provide your health care provider with important information in helping you achieve your fertility goals -- of achieving or avoiding pregnancy. Cycles of moisture: How can you check your cervical secretions? Cervical mucus can be looked at as the “gatekeeper” to the uterus -- guarding what may and may not pass through the cervix. Your secretions change in response to hormonal shifts occurring during your cycle. Once your menstrual flow has abated, you will typically have a few "dry" days. Within the first week you may notice your cervical secretions become sticky or tacky feeling. As the time of ovulation approaches your cervical mucus will become creamier, changing to clear, slick secretions that can be stretched between your fingers. This is your time of peak fertility, with your mucus acting as a slippery highway for any sperm that are present. |
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| cindi | Sep 5 2009, 06:56 AM Post #3 |
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In observing changes in your cervical mucus, you will be looking for changes in consistency, quantity and color. Pick one time of the day to check your cervical secretions. Many women find it convenient to observe changes while using the bathroom. Though changes can be observed externally, when wiping yourself with white toilet tissue, it can be more accurate to check cervical secretions by inserting one or two fingers into your vagina. * Does your vagina feel dry, moist or very wet? * Do any secretions remain on your fingers or the tissue? * Is your cervical mucus very stretchy and slippery, creamy or tacky feeling? * Are your secretions clear, white or almost nonexistent? * Can you stretch your cervical mucus between your two fingers? (If so, this is very fertile mucus!) Keep in mind that sexual arousal, the presence of semen, use of lubricants or spermicides, use of an antihistamine (drying) or a decongestant (liquefying) or a vaginal infection can affect your cervical secretions. What does the position of your cervix tell you? |
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| cindi | Sep 5 2009, 06:56 AM Post #4 |
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The position of your cervix, the lower portion of the uterus, can also be very helpful in gauging your fertility. In the first half of your menstrual cycle, prior to ovulation, your cervix will feel firm, and be low in your vagina. It will feel closed and dry. Around the time of ovulation, the cervix softens, opens, lifts and becomes very receptive to sperm, allowing them to more easily make their way to meet the waiting egg. Within a few days following ovulation, the cervix again becomes firm and the entrance is closed. Here are some guidelines for checking the position of your cervix: * Wash your hands prior to checking your cervix. * Check the position of your cervix around the same time each day. * Many women find it easy to check their cervix while they are sitting on the toilet. * Gently insert one or two fingers into your vagina. Reaching back you should be able to feel your cervix. * Does your cervix seem easy to reach (low) or difficult to reach (high)? * Does your cervix feel soft (like your lips) or firm (like your nose)? * Does the entrance of your cervix feel slightly open or closed? * Does your cervix feel dry, moist or very wet? * If you are charting your fertility signs, record your observations. |
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