Our basal body temperature is the practically the lowest temperature has when our body is at rest. To accurately measure this, you must immediately measure your basal temperature right before – but never after – you get out of bed and do any physical activity. The charting of your basal body temperature is a time proven method of how to calculate ovulation. When the ovulation period occurs, there is a noticeable increase in the body’s basal temperature from one half to one degree Fahrenheit.
Since this increase can calculate ovulation or your fertile days, some people use this as a natural form of contraception, while others use it as a sure fire way of getting pregnant.
The most reliable way to chart ovulation is by checking your basal body temperature daily and keeping a record of it. Your body’s basal temperature doesn’t just tell you about your fertility cycle or pregnancy, it also informs you of other possibilities such as anovulation, imbalanced hormones and thyroid dysfunctions.
Usually, your temperature is on the low range during the first half of the cycle. It can hover around 96.0 F to 98.0 F. This is largely caused by estrogen hormones. In the middle of this cycle is when ovulation usually occurs. An upward shift of temperature of about 4 degrees signifies that ovulation is over and that an egg has been released. Most of the time the egg has either been fertilized or died by the time you record this shift in temperature.
After ovulation takes place, progesterone hormones are released. As the egg moves through the fallopian tube, progesterone hormones are steadily produced. A constant high temperature will prevail throughout the start of ovulation until menstruation. Though, usually around 12 to 14 days long, this varies from woman to woman.
To measure you basal body temperature accurately, you must have a good basal body thermometer. These specialized thermometers can be bought at pharmaceutical supply stores. It is also advised that you take your temperature at the same time each morning, and that you must have slept at least 3 hours before doing it.
When starting an ovulation chart calendar to keep track of when you are fertile, mark the first day of bleeding as day one. Keep track and mark the days on your chart when you bleed or spot. Also remember to document your temperature readings and the time you took them. Also include times when you encounter conditions such as headaches, cramps, illness – anything that would affect your temperature reading.
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