Basal Temp

A.,

I just wanted to respond and give you a little encouragement that you are not the only one out there!!! I am 27 years old and my husband and I tried to get pregnant for 3 years. We went to an OB and to a specialist and they could not find what was wrong with me or my husband! As you may know, that was very frustrating. I went thru medications, treatments...with no luck! which was emotionally draining on me. It got to the point where I was not happy when my friends would get pregnant, and I would go home and cry. I read books, articles as I am sure you have also, but nothing seemed to work. I went to a different OB (who is wonderful!) and tried something that worked! I am currently 9 months pregnant with my first baby and I am due in 3 weeks! There is hope! Try not to think about it too much and let it happen when its suppose to happen! Get second, third...opinions from doctors! I wish you and your husband luck! Have fun and again, dont try too hard! Once I "gave up" it happened! I know that is easier said than done!

J.

Checking basal temp is another way to estimate your ovualtion time. If you already know this by using the ovulation kits then checking basal temp may not be necessary

A.,

I once thought the basal charts were only to tell you when you're ovulating too. I came to find out that it can possibly indicate other issues too.

The "sample BBT (basal body temperature) chart's" usually show a "standard bell curve" for a cycle - peaking around ovulation.

With me, my charts never looked like the "bell curve" - mine always looked like the "rocky mountains". It never occurred to me that that meant something - until I faxed it to my doctor finally (at his insistance to actually do the charts for 2 months and send it to him). They had me come in for blood tests and discovered I had a Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (usually referred to as PCO or PCOS).

So - it would be wise to actually do the temp charting for 2-3 cycles and then talk to your doctor. Just using something like the "clear plan" fertility monitor to tell you if/when you're ovulating wouldn't show that, and it may be showing false-positive's too.

If you can afford ovulations kits I'd go that way.
For me taking my temp was a pain in the butt.
You have to remember to take it before you even take a sip of water and I always had a hard time remembering.
My opinion though, my sister did it for a while and was able to get pregnant but she ovulated regularly, I didn't.

I recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. She explains in detail how to chart your fertility signs. I hope it helps!

i recently have been checking my cervical mucus, which is SOOOO easy if you know what to look for. all you have to do is look at your toilet paper when you wipe in the bathroom... when there is mucus you are ovulating. that's pretty much it, although the book explains a lot more about it...

i've been reading a very informative book about it, and it spells everything out clearly. it's called your fertility signals by merryl winstein. it's an easy read, and has been accurate thus far. best of luck, i hope you get your baby soon!