Basal Body Temperatures

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Basal Body Temperatures
« on: August 02, 2006, 10:25:26 PM » by healthyinOhio

I am not sure how helpful this post will be. I am hoping it is because I know that I would love to have some questions answered and hear some of everyone else's experiences with this. I have been taking my basal body temps and charting them along with cervical fluid for a few months now, and I wanted to know if anyone else does this faithfully. Or maybe you just know a whole lot on this subject. I cannot find any NFP people in my area to ask and really don't want to pay a gynecologist just to look at my chart. So, if anyone is experienced in this area I have a few questions that I would like to share about my chart. I am hoping there are others out there who want help discerning their chart, too!

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2006, 10:51:59 PM » by heatheronthehill

I've been charting for about two months now and am also quite a novice. I've read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wechsler, and "The Garden of Fertility" by Katie Singer. Learned a tremendous amount, but am certainly no expert!

I'm also interested in having someone I can come to for questions/interpretations.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2006, 11:07:00 PM » by Mrs. Dugger

maybe you could check out www.fertilityfriend.com.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2006, 11:27:47 PM » by healthyinOhio

Hey, that website is way neat. I hope that it can answer some questions. Although, I do like talkin' to ya all a lot more than a website.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2006, 06:50:59 AM » by healthyinOhio

Okay, that website is terribly hard to navigate! Or I am just dumb or something. Has anyone used this? I signed up for the 30-day free membership and it took me hours just to set up my first calendar. Then, it stopped me in mid posting my temps and I couldn't figure out how to make my next calendar. Really frustrating!!!! Angry

Anyways, my question is I had eggwhite cervical fluid on the 14th of July(my last menses was June 23-28) then my temp dip was the day after eggwhite fluid and I rose to 97.9 the next day. The past few cycles I have always had a dip before the rise(usually indicating ovulation has occurred), but this is the first time that I have had been going below the coverline after supposed ovulation. I went down two temps, then up one, up again, up again, down one, up again, up, up, up. up, same, up, same, down again, up. So If you count the day after the dip(which I usually have always done) I currently have 18 temperatures past ovulation. But I have five of those below my coverline. I have never been this low. Are my temps too low for pregnancy? Or did my rise after my dip go down again just to start over? I guess I just don't know when to start counting my luteal phase. It is always either 14 or 15 days. I think that my temps are a little on the low side for a pregnancy. Usually my temps are around 98.6 during my luteal phase, but they are really low. Well, I hope that I haven't bored anyone to death, but I couldn't find my answers on that site and was hoping for someone who may be able to help. Thanks!

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2006, 07:39:52 AM » by merryheart

Good topic - I'm glad someone started it. I've been charting my temps faithfully for the last 4 months or so. We are dealing with infertility, so I started charting as a way to see if I am really ovulating or not. I've found it to be so helpful (and interesting) to be able to have a better idea of what is going on in there.

And to predict when my cycle is going to start. I still have a lot to learn, but have done quite a lot of reading on the subject. One of my questions is: what is a 'normal' basal body temp - I have heard that low temps can be a symptom of thryroid/hormonal issues, but I don't know how 'low' is defined. My temps usually run in the high 96s prior to ovulation, and then go up into the high 97s or sometimes low 98s after ov.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2006, 08:38:58 AM » by Sunshine06

Hi! It's great to find some other people that chart! I am relatively new to this and have only been charting for about 6 months (maybe a little more - I started a few months before getting married). We are actually using it as a method of birth control right now and also to just learn about my body for future purposes. I don't think I have many answers to questions, but I look forward to finding them together with all of you.

I live not far from NYC and I found a woman there who teaches about this so I do have a personal contact that will answer questions for me and help me figure out my chart. (Except, if it's too extensive a question or answer, I have to pay Tongue

) But my temps are low too, and she did mention that this can hinder gettting pregnant (fine with me for now) and she suggested getting it checked out. (Mine are mid- to high-96's pre-ov and high-97's after - and I was told that's "low"; I believe the norm is to be mid-97's pre and mid-98's after ov)

So thanks for starting the thread! Hope we can figure all this out! Grin

It takes time (several months to a year) to really get a feel for how your body works and what's "normal" for you. So don't get discouraged!

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2006, 08:47:36 AM » by Ruby

I have been taking my temps for several years. I took the NFP class, but honestly I haven't been following all the rules. I take the temps, check cervical fluid & chart it. We've been dealing with infertility also, so since I haven't been postponing a pregnancy a lot of the rules don't apply. I'll have to relearn all those one day!
Anyway, low temps are sometimes a sign of thyroid problem. From what I've read temps as low as 96 are very often thyroid related. But do you have any other thyroid symptoms? It is a very good idea to get it checked. I have two other friends who have temps on the 96 range pre-ov. and both have thyroid problems and also infertility.
I know one lady though who has low temps and no thyroid trouble, but she may be an an odd case. I often have what's considered "normal" temps in the 97's before ovulation but I do have some thyroid issues. It can be very confusing!

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2006, 07:40:49 PM » by healthyinOhio

So, I have low temps, huh? Figures. I do have Irish heritage. They say that those with Irish, Russian, Jewish heritage are more susceptible to low body temps(Wilson's disease). I never had any other symptoms of thyroid issue until, now. I don't do anything that would give me that. I do everything already that is suppose to correct it, so I wonder what else there is to do. Maybe if I dye my natural "red" highlights, I can trick my own body. Okay, bad joke. Hey, I am healthyinOhio not funny in Ohio.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2006, 05:35:01 PM » by kamom

healthyinohio, did you do a pregnancy test? I don't consider myself an expert, but after charting for about a yr and studying many charts on fertilityfriend.com most pregnancy's that stick have temperatures that keep going up. If you are only assuming your pregnant because of a longer luteal phase, you can suspect that you ovulated later then you think you did especially if you had several temperatures below coverline. Sometimes our bodies gear up to ovulate and then hold of until it actually happens.

Yes, most temps below 97.5 point to a low thyroid hormones. Mine is occasionally lower and I had blood tests done by a GYN and she also studied my charts and it tested OK, BUT my mom is on Synthroid and she has experienced that those blood tests are very inaccurate, she simply takes enough till she feels "good". She says she would be laying on the couch with no energy to do anything if she took the recommended dose. Now I saw a chiropractor last week and she suspects that I DO have an imbalance in spite of the tests turning out all right. She said I should take my temperature under my arm Huh

?the first 5 days of my cycle and tell her what it is next time I see her. Does anyone know why under my arm? I know that it will be in the 96's and what would a natural Dr recommend to take? She took my temperature at the office and it was really low and I am often cold when others are not.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2006, 07:41:49 PM » by JesusIsKing

Do you have to take your temperature under your armpit? I know that when you take it there, you are supposed to add one degree onto the reading to get your temperature. So, I would think most of us would read low taking it there. Can anyone explain this?

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2006, 07:58:29 PM » by kamom

To explain my earlier post, I usually take my temperature with a BBT in my mouth. But this chiropractor wanted me to do it under my armpit. I cannot understand why either. Roll Eyes

And what would she recommend taking? Does anyone know in case I never go back?

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2006, 11:03:24 AM » by healthyinOhio

Well, I am not pregnant. Cry

I didn't think that I was. My hubby is still healing from a vas reversal that we may not be able to get pregnant from, anyways. My luteal phase was really long, or my temp is screwed up for some reason. I have taken it orally and under the arm and both have been the same temperature, so I don't know why they(chiropractors) would want you to do it under the arm permanently. That would be interesting to find out. When I started charting my temps about seven months ago, my temps were normal. Then, each month they started to drop lower and lower. I don't know what is happening. The only thing that has changed is my diet. I am actually eating healthier and I don't know why it would be getting worse. I am thinking about going back to my so-called "bad" diet, like a science experiment on myself, and see if that makes the temps go back up.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2006, 03:58:19 PM » by kamom

Hmmmm..... Were you using progesterone cream and then stopped? When I use the cream during my luteal phase (after Ovulation) my temperatures are higher then normal, but I am just plain tired of using it. I did for about six months and I'm still not pregnant and I started wondering if it was just covering up a problem and not really "fixing" it.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2006, 07:01:03 PM » by KristenA

Quote from: kamom on August 06, 2006, 03:58:19 PM

Does progesterone help you get pregnant, or does it help you sustain a pregnancy?
Just wondering!
Kristen

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2006, 07:13:12 PM » by heatheronthehill

Progesterone is needed to sustain pregnancy.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #16 on: August 06, 2006, 07:20:08 PM » by healthyinOhio

Quote from: kamom on August 06, 2006, 03:58:19 PM

Hmmmm..... Were you using progesterone cream and then stopped?

No, I have never taken anything like that. Although, come to think of it. In November, a month before I started charting, I was taking about 500 mg of evening primrose oil. I think that is considered a natural progesterone. Am I wrong? I haven't been taking it anymore, because, well I ran out and didn't feel like buying anymore. Perhaps, I will start taking it again and see if it helps.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #17 on: August 06, 2006, 08:54:38 PM » by KristenA

I got pregnant within days of taking Prometrium. I had not had a period in several months, so my doc put me on Prometrium for ten days. I believe I conceived the day I finished the hormone therapy.

Knowing what I know not about medicine... I wouldn't have taken it... but Hey! It worked out wonderfully.... God gave us a Sweet Child.
I just read the "less common side effects" of Prometrium. They include: Breast cancer, confusion, personality disorder, speech disorder, and blood clots. EEEK! Undecided

Anyways, maybe a natural progesterone also stimulates ovulation.... It did for me!

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #18 on: August 12, 2006, 12:55:21 PM » by healthyinOhio

Can a person just diagnose themselves with hypothyroidism and not have any testing done? Well, I have consistently been having low body temps for some reason and I just want to treat myself without a diagnosis, I guess. Has anyone else had low basal body temps and it has not been a thyroid issue but something else?
I already eat coconut, coconut oil, and coconut milk, as much raw and organic foods as possible, and we use Celtic sea salt. I don't have any usage of flouride, either. So, what do I do now?

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #19 on: August 15, 2006, 10:04:08 PM » by Jessarie

Hi HealthyinOhio! I found my family doctor on www.omsoul.com, which lets you search for teachers or pracitioners in your area. I searched for her after getting online instruction in the Billings Method, getting confused, and getting pregnant after 2.5 months of marriage! Not what we intended, but we are so happy to have our little guy. God knows better than us. Anyway, I decided to enlist some experienced help in learning a new method, which is why I went there and found my doctor. It's so much better to have help!

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #20 on: August 16, 2006, 07:01:57 AM » by WithLoveAndJoy

Quote from: healthyinOhio on August 12, 2006, 12:55:21 PM

Unfortunately, no. You must have a blood test done to determine the level of thyroid hormone in your blood. Because it has to do with the adrenal system it is very important to procede with any course of thyroid treatment (conventional or homeopathic) with very careful consideration, as improper treatment can lead to HYPERthyroid, which means the thyroid becomes TOO active, and that is a nasty thing to deal with (family members have had to have their thyroid KILLED with radioactive iodine).

There should be no risk to cod liver oil or coconut oil, but the only way for you to KNOW what level, if at all, of hypothyroidism you have is through a blood test. Take it from one hypo who knows Grin

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #21 on: August 16, 2006, 07:04:04 AM » by healthyinOhio

Thanks, ladies for your advice and suggestions! Wink

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #22 on: August 16, 2006, 08:59:07 AM » by Pennie

okay, here is a dumb question but I have no choice but to ask. OR I guess I could look it up....what IS a basal body temperature? Is that just your body temp when you aren't sick or your temp first thing in the morning b/f you get up?

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #23 on: August 16, 2006, 09:32:35 AM » by heatheronthehill

Quote from: Pennie on August 16, 2006, 08:59:07 AM

or your temp first thing in the morning b/f you get up?

BINGO!

No such thing as a dumb question... You stick your thermometer in your mouth at the same time every morning - before you get up to go to the bathroom, etc... You should have at least 3 consecutive hours sleep before taking your temp. too. Then, you chart your temps. and look for patterns - low indicating pre-ovulation, a spike in temps. for ovulation, and sustained high temps for post-ovulation/period.

Good books on this: Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Wechsler
The Garden of Fertility by Katie Singer

Here are some informative websites:
http://www.myparentime.com/features/bbtcharting.shtml

http://www.gardenoffertility.com/

« Last Edit: August 16, 2006, 09:45:47 AM by heatheronthehill »
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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #24 on: August 16, 2006, 10:04:19 AM » by KristenA

I am considering starting to take my Basal Body Temp. I have a few questions....
1. The first day of your cycle/charting is the first day of bleeding?
2. What about nursing while doing this? Does it affect the chart (ovulation)?

What kind of thermometers do you all use?

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #25 on: August 16, 2006, 10:08:57 AM » by heatheronthehill

I am considering starting to take my Basal Body Temp. I have a few questions....
1. The first day of your cycle/charting is the first day of bleeding?

CORRECT

2. What about nursing while doing this? Does it affect the chart (ovulation)?

It definitely can! I would read a book to find out more about this. From everything I've read, charting while nursing can be a bit tricky, especially if you haven't gotten your period back/haven't ovulated yet.

What kind of thermometers do you all use?

I got mine for $10 at Walgreens. It is Walgreens brand and it is pink and designed for BBT. It is accurate to .01 degrees, though you only need one that is accurate to at least .1 Also, it stores the temperature, so if I want to roll back over and sleep, I can, I can just chart later.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #26 on: August 16, 2006, 10:21:39 AM » by KristenA

I like the rolling over and going back to sleep thermometer! Wink

Sounds like a match for me.

My daughter is 12 months, and I just started my cycle again. I nurse around 3-4 times a day (I go 12 hours without nursing in the night).

Does BBT's seem worthwhile for a nursing Momma of a 12-month old?

I am not concerned about getting pregnant or not getting pregnant Shocked

.
But, I would like to know what's going on with my body.

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #27 on: August 16, 2006, 10:27:14 AM » by heatheronthehill

I think it would be worth it! I just find it fascinating to know what is going on with my body! Even if you are not concerned about pregnancy, your temps. can tell you a lot about your general health and well-being. It takes absolutely minimal work to do it too! Like, less than 30 sec. per day! I like knowing where I am in my cycle and what is going on. Even if you have a normal cycle, it can be helpful to chart so you can identify problems quickly if they should arise in the future. Just my humble opinion. Cheesy

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #28 on: August 16, 2006, 10:42:01 AM » by Sunshine06

Also, a comment on the three hours of sleep rule. The woman that I know that teaches FAM (aka charting) told me that three hours of sleep before taking your temp aren't actually necessary. When I first started charting I got so paranoid about waking up before I was supposed to that I did wake up early every single night! She told me that she gets up many times during the night (as a mom w/babies might do) and that it's just as accurate as long as you go back to sleep before you wake up at the right time and take your temp. Of course you shouldn't get up right before you take your temp, but if it's an hour before and you go back to sleep it's fine.

HTH

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Re: Basal Body Temperatures
« Reply #29 on: August 16, 2006, 11:28:23 AM » by Pennie

Man, I am slow. I always see the HTH and I just NOW firgured out what it means. Roll Eyes

Actually that did help too.

I always figured it was pointless to do the BBT b/c I was up and down so much. Tongue

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