Basal body temperature: What does it mean?

If you are TTC, you have probably heard about tracking the basal body temperature (BBT), the body’s temperature when resting. The body temperature goes up slightly as you ovulate. Keeping track of your temperature readings lets you know when you ovulate and your cycle over some months so you can have a sex schedule for the most fertile days.

Your Australian basal body temperature is the temperature you get when your body is completely at rest. Many women experience a minimal rise in basal body temperature when ovulating, so it is advisable to take temperature measurements and record the readings on a chart daily.

But how do you measure a slight temperature change to determine the fertile window? You will need a tool known as a basal body thermometer or an ovulation thermometer. Most women generally register 35.55 and 36.66 degrees before ovulation and 36.10 -37.20 degrees after ovulation.

Unlike other thermometers, a basal ovulation thermometer is highly accurate and sensitive, making measuring small resting temperature changes easier. When you get a good basal ovulation thermometer, it will measure accurately to two decimals. This is essential because the small changes during the cycle can be as low as 0.2 degrees Celsius.

How does a basal thermometer work?

Basal thermometers measure the temperature just like regular digital thermometers. However,  they differ slightly because the basal thermometer is designed to measure very small increments to the second decimal; an example is 36.50,36.51,36.52.

Basal body thermometer: Benefits of tracking

We offer basal body thermometers with unique features to make things easier for you. Some of them are listed below:

• The thermometer will beep once the basal body temperature is taken successfully.
• Memory function that allows you to access your BBT reading later on.
• It shuts off automatically to preserve the battery life.
• It comes with a plastic travel case that will help keep the ovulation thermometer safe throughout.

How to use your basal thermometer

Most basal body thermometers can be used orally like their counterparts. However, your temp can be taken vaginally or rectally. The main thing is just to choose one method and stick with it to avoid getting different readings.

While charting your BBT, it’s recommended that you take the temperature when you’re at rest or immediately after waking up. So set the alarm, and once you wake up, place the Fertility2Family basal ovulation thermometer in your mouth or vagina and snooze until the unit beeps. After taking the temperature, you can remove the thermometer and return to sleep until you’re ready to start your day. Even if you doze off,  the auto shut-off will kick in to save your battery life, while the memory function will save the reading so you can record it in your chat later on.

As you can see, using our basal body thermometer is pretty easy. The fertility2Family basal ovulation thermometer was designed to make you feel confident while taking your readings. We even provide instructions on using the ovulation thermometer to ensure you do not make mistakes. You will also get a tracking chart where you record the basal body temperature every other day.

Remember to take your temperature simultaneously every day –  immediately after waking up and before you leave the bed in the morning. All readings can be recorded on the paper graph we provide or digitally on an application (you can choose the app you like).

How will you know if you’re getting an accurate reading?

There are several things other than ovulation that can increase your basal body temperature, so it’s essential to know them because they will affect the accuracy of your chart. These include:

• Illness and exhaustion
• Disturbed sleep or lack of sleep
• Smoking
• Sleeping with an electric blanket
• Alcohol consumption
• Emotional distress

Certain conditions like menopause and hypothyroidism can also affect basal body temperature by causing temperature fluctuations because of hot flashes.

If you experience these factors, reading accurately will be nearly impossible. It might take several cycles before you can know the accurate indication of ovulation. Sometimes experts recommend using the basal body temperature technique in conjunction with cervical mucus monitoring and other physical ovulation signs, an ovulation predictor kit.

You also need to follow the directions that come with your ovulation thermometer to get the best results. Schedule appointments with your fertility expert or healthcare provider whenever you need help interpreting your chart.

What are the pros and cons of relying on a basal thermometer?

Basal body thermometer benefits:

On the plus side, basal thermometers are inexpensive and easy to use. They provide a no-intervention way to know how your cycles operate so you can create a reasonable sex schedule to increase your chances of conception. You can also rely on an ovulation thermometer to detect pregnancy – a rise in basal body temperature, which occurs 18 days after ovulation, could be a sign that you have conceived. However, you shouldn’t be tempted to use this technique as a birth control method because it’s not reliable. Approximately 24% of women who rely on methods like basal body temperature to prevent pregnancy still get pregnant.

Basal Ovulation thermometer cons:

The basal body temperature reading may not always be reliable regarding the cons. For instance, if you have a fever, have consumed alcohol, or not getting a good night’s sleep, your temperature will be high, so the reading you get will not be accurate. Also, infertility patients and long-time TTC can find it hard to take the temperature every other day as it is a potent reminder that you have not yet conceived. If this is a problem for you, too, you should consider using purchasing our ovulation tests. Here you’ll get to pee on the ovulation test and detect an increase in your luteinising hormone levels, which is known to trigger the release of the egg. However, the slight cost will be higher than a basal thermometer.