Getting pregnant is so easy for numerous women. But for many, it takes some time. While trying to get pregnant, understanding your fertility is crucial. Therefore, basal body temperature comes for your help. Through BBT, you will better understand your ovulation cycle and fertile window. This article will let you know every detail about your basal body temperature, why it is essential to track, and how to follow it.
What is Basal Body Temperature or BBT?
The basal body temperature is the body’s temperature when you’re at complete rest. However, during ovulation, the BBT rises slightly. Two to three days before this temperature increases, women become the most fertile. When you are trying to becoming pregnant, charting your BBT is an inexpensive and easy way to track your ovulation. You only need to find the best BBT thermometer, an app, and patience.
Basal body temperature is not always related to your fertility or ovulation. You may also ovulate without facing BBT fluctuations at all. Your body temperature may increase due to stress, sleep deprivation, excessive sleeping, gynecological disorders, and for some more reasons. If the increased temperature remains the same for 18 or more days long, you may be pregnant.
The BBT and Your Pregnancy
As we have mentioned before, our body temperatures change based on how we sleep, the time zone, hormonal changes, and even workouts. Stress and even environmental changes might affect the body-heat.
After ovulation, the discharge of progesterone hormone causes a slight increase in temperature. You can easily detect this using your basal thermometer. If the rise stays steady for about three days, be sure that you’ve ovulated.
Having sex approximately two to three days before ovulation helps when you want to conceive. Give yourself more chances of getting pregnant by having sex even during and after ovulation. You can use cervical mucus to know when you’re about to ovulate and have sex for successful pregnancy results.
However, pregnancy may not happen in the first month. It does not mean you will not be pregnant ever. All you need is consistency in taking the temperature, recording the readings, and keep trying.
Taking Body Basal Temperature Correctly
It’s recommendable to take the temperatures daily and at the same time each morning before getting out of bed. More so, you should ensure you get approximately three hours of uninterrupted sleep. Get a smart basal thermometer that displays one-tenth of a degree. Once you get the best basal thermometer, here is what you should do next:
- Place the Thermometer Within Your Reach – Before going to bed, ensure you place the gadget where you can easily reach while at the bed. So you will not have to get out of bed to get the thermometer. Getting out of bed often change the temperature reading.
- Shake the Gadget Before Going to Bed – If you’re using the mercury thermometer, ensure you shake it down before bed. Shaking it in the morning will raise your body temperature, giving you the wrong readings.
- Set the alarm – The best way to have accurate readings is by taking the temperature every day and simultaneously. Set the alarm at the same time, like 30 -45 minutes before taking the BBT.
- Reach FOR The Thermometer – when you wake up, the first thing you should do is to get the thermometer. Do not even sit up, talk, or go to the bathroom. Take the temp by using the virginal, rectal or oral method. The oral technique is the most comfortable and the easiest for most people. If you are using a mercury thermometer, place it under the tongue and wait for 5 minutes. In the case of the vaginal or rectal method, wait for 3 minutes. However, if you sleep with your mouth open, then the vaginal route will be the most accurate.
- Record Readings– After taking BBT, leave the thermometer in a place to get the final reading- about five minutes. You can quickly record the body heat on your mobile, or you may keep a pen and paper beside your pillow.
If you need to work at night or suffering from insomnia, measure BBT after having 4 hours of sound sleep. It will help you to maintain an accurate graph.
Taking your basal body temperature will give you a sense of control. Be consistent; taking the temperature at the same time should be your first task every morning. Try to maintain the accuracy. Keep patient. We wish you all the best.
