reading an bbt chart

[bigsis1981]

how do you read an bbt chart. I have kept track for a month and I am all over the place. one day really high next day really low.   How can I know when I o if I am a rollercoaster.  Could it mean i haven't this month?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

They say that you need to have at least 3 consecutive hours of sleep to get an accurate read.  I know that sometimes I did and sometimes I didn't because I started charting w/ a 6 month old that did not sleep through the night.  But w/ 6-8 hours of sleep at once, that should be plenty.

I'd be happy to look at your chart once you get it on here :)

[bigsis1981]

The thing is i have a digital one I check it every morning at 5:45 am. I set the alarm that early cause i get up at 6 that way I can wake up take it and dose back off for a few more minutes.  I will make my bbt chart on here so you can see it one day i am at 97.63 and the next be at 96.76. but there were a couple of days where it was at 97. something.  Does it matter how much sleep you get. somedays I get like 6 others i get 8plus. Just wondering this is my first time charting bbts.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I BBTed for a year to avoid pregnancy and then got pregnant in December intentionally using BBT.

The most important thing is to make sure you are doing it correctly.  If you aren't, you won't get an accurate reading.

It needs to be done everyday at the same time; including the weekends even if that means setting an alarm.  You also have to make sure that you take your temp before getting out of bed each morning or doing anything at all.  As soon as your alarm goes off, grab your thermometer and take your temp.  You don't have to, but I recommend getting a digital BBT themometer.  They are only 2 or 3 dollars more than a regular digital thermometer, but a bit more accurate.  You also want to make sure to use the same thermometer everyday.  Try not to switch thermometer mid cycle.

I charted on Fertility Friend and loved it, so I recommend that as well.

[rdh1981]

Are you using the Ovulation Tracker on MH??? This one actually tells you when you o'd by your peeks/rise of your BBT.  

I always used BBT as a back up and still used OPK's.  By doing it that way I could tell when my temps raised and I had a positive OPK I knew for sure I was about to ovulate.  

I am not sure if this is any help to you. You might want to try the fertility forum, they have some crazy BBT'ers over there!!!!!