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Natural Family Planning & Fertility Charting
Whether you are trying to have a baby or if you are trying to avoid becoming pregnant, fertility charting your basal body temperature is a good way to know when you are ovulating. Once you know when you are ovulating you can plan better for when having a baby. The whole process will also help you to get a better understanding of your own body.
What is fertility charting at all?
Let's start with the basics. Your normal body temperature is also described as basal body temperature, or BBT. This is your body’s core temperature. Normally, your basal body temperature is at around 97º Fahrenheit (36.11º Celsius). However, when your body ovulates, your body’s temperature rises slightly and stays at that increased temperature until your period begins. The temperature goes up by about half a degree to even a full degree (= 98ºF). Some women might even see a temperature increase above 98º Fahrenheit. Tracking your basal body temperature (BBT) is one of the most popular forms of natural birth control used by women today.
Let's start with the basics. Your normal body temperature is also described as basal body temperature, or BBT. This is your body’s core temperature. Normally, your basal body temperature is at around 97º Fahrenheit (36.11º Celsius). However, when your body ovulates, your body’s temperature rises slightly and stays at that increased temperature until your period begins. The temperature goes up by about half a degree to even a full degree (= 98ºF). Some women might even see a temperature increase above 98º Fahrenheit. Tracking your basal body temperature (BBT) is one of the most popular forms of natural birth control used by women today.
What kind of thermometer do you need to do fertility charting?
To take your basal body temperature, you do need to use a special type of thermometer. The thermometer needs to be able to record the slight changes in your body's core temperature. These so-called basal thermometers can be found in good pharmacies. Basal body thermometers are available as traditional mercury thermometers or as digital thermometers, which are faster and easier to read. Digital thermometers are much more convenient to use.
How to do fertility charting?
To get your basal body temperature (BBT), you must take your temperature every morning preferably at the same time. The temperature needs to be taken while you are still in bed AND before you start any activity (including relieving yourself). Once you have read your temperature, record it on a fertility chart. Collecting the data will allow you to see patterns in your body temperature. Charting your body temperature will help you to identify exactly when you ovulate. Keep in mind that this is based on the historic data you collect over time. Charting is to draw a connecting line from one temperature point to the next. Once you see the line chart with all the up's and down's it will make it very easy to see fluctuations in your temperature. Because taking your basal body temperature (BBT) only allows you to see that you have ovulated after it has actually happened, the key is to chart your body temperature for at least 3 months before you can accurately know when to expect ovulation.
Need a charting tool? Check out our free fertility charting tool with automatic charting functionality built-in.
To start fertility charting, you will need to begin at day one of your menstrual cycle, which is the very first day of your period. Do not actually begin recording your temperature yet. For the beginning, just record the small details of your period. When you get to day five of your period you can start to take to record your basal body temperature (BBT). This can be on the same chart as you’ve been recording the information about your period or on a separate sheet of paper / computer spreadsheet. Once you're up and running with charting you can either use one chart for the entire time or start a new one every month when your period starts.
If you are planning on using charting as a form of natural birth control or to assist you in your family planning, it is a good idea to speak with your OB-Gyn or a nurse. They can offer you proper training and advice in taking your basal body temperature.
Need help with fertility charting? Our online pregnancy forums are there to help.
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