Basal temperature
Basal Temperature Body Chart: The basal body temperature is the temperature of the body at
rest. The most accurate basal temperature can be obtained in the morning before getting up from the
bed and before doing any work. A special thermometer called the basal body temperature thermometer
is used to record the basal body temperatures to the tenth degree and is the most precise
thermometer. This charting technique uses the waking body temperature, the cervical fluid and the
cervical position to pinpoint the most fertile times during a woman's monthly cycle. The
intercourses during these peak days enhance the chances of the pregnancy. The charting is also used
to detect the early signs of pregnancy, alert the hormonal imbalance and even indicate the possible
miscarriage. The charting is a regular process. The resources required are a graph paper, a pen or
pencil, a watch or clock preferably digital and a BBT thermometer. It is the first thing in the
morning to be done even without moving a muscle. The temperature should be taken as directed and
recorded immediately on the graph under the day’s date. To be accurate, the temperature must be
taken at the same time every day. The temperature fluctuations can be seen by connecting the dots
from day to day recording over a period of each cycle. The first day of the period is treated as the
day one of the cycle. The patterns can be analyzed later over a period of several cycles.
Basal Temperature and Pregnancy: There are two hormones which are actively involved in the
monthly menstrual cycles. During the first half of the cycle or the follicular phase, the hormone
estrogen is active. It is a cool hormone and helps the ovaries to produce an egg that is released
during ovulation. The body temperature will be marginally lower than the normal. During the second
half of the cycle or the luteal phase, the hormone progesterone dominates until it falls in the
anticipation of the menstrual period. As progesterone is a warm hormone, there is a sudden increase
in the temperature after ovulation. Typically, the pre-ovulation temperatures range from 97.0 to
97.6 and the post-ovulation temperatures will be above 97.7. So, right before ovulation, there will
be a slight drop in temperature followed by a sharp rise in temperature. When the drop in the
temperature or low temperature is observed, it is the time to start having the intercourse to
conceive pregnancy.
Basal Temperature and Ovulation: The basal temperature chart will show when the woman has
ovulated, but does not predict the ovulation. It is assumed that every woman ovulates on the 14th
day of her cycle. But, a woman's normal pattern has the ovulation on the 10th or the 21st day. The
normal ovulation schedule can be easily tracked through the chart.
Free Basal Temperature: To record a range of temperatures along the days of the cycle, a
graph is required. There are sample graphs which can be enlarged and duplicated, available with most
of the digital base thermometers. The type of the chart used is a matter of personal preference.
There are many free sample charts and blank charts available online. Even there are many websites
offering the software which allows the posting of the daily temperatures. The same can be downloaded
freely from www.fertilityfriend.com.
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