Ovulation and Falling Pregnant: Basal Body Temperature

In addition to charting your cervical mucus or using an ovulation test kit, another method of calculating when you will ovulate is by tracking your basal body temperature. While it can be more time consuming, it is probably the most accurate method of calculating just when you will ovulate.

To check your basal body temperature, start keeping track of your temperature on the first day of your period using a basal body thermometer (you can buy one at any pharamcy), which shows minute changes in your temperature. You should take your temperature as soon as you wake up and before you get out of bed. If you can, take your basal body temperature at the same time every morning. When you have done this mark it on a chart.

It's helpful to chart your temperature for a few months so you can see whether there's a pattern to your cycle. If you're sick or fail to take your temperature immediately upon awakening, any pattern you find may be inaccurate. Thermometers that remember the last reading are helpful if you tend to go back to sleep after taking your temperature.

Checking Your Cervical Mucus

It sounds icky but checking your cervical mucus can help you identify when your ovulation is imminent. There are three ways you can do this: using toilet paper or your fingers across the opening of your vagina, wearing a panty liner (which is sometimes hard to detect) or inserting your finger into your vagina. Note the consistency of the mucus. You may also want to monitor its texture throughout the day. If it’s clear and slippery, about the consistency of raw egg white, then you’re at your most fertile. However, clomid can make your cervical mucus hostile to sperm. Talk to your doctor about this side effect if you are using this ovulation stimulating drug.

How the Two Work Together

You should notice a rise in your temperature signaling that you have ovulated at the same time your mucus will look and feel like egg white. When the two coincide, then you know it's time to start trying to concieve. This is the best time to have conception sex.

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For help to keep track of your basal body temperature, find out more about the digital basal thermometer.

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