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Charting your Basal Body Temperature

Chris Di Tecco / August 6, 2006

Here are simple instructions describing how to properly chart your BBT.

Charting your Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

Start your chart on day 1 of your cycle. Day 1 is the first day of full menstruation. If spotting starts to occur do not count as day one. The day you are menstruating from morning should be counted as day 1.

Take your temperature first thing in the morning before you get out of bed. Your thermometer should be at your bedside so you do not have to move much to use it.

Take the temperature as close to the same time every morning. Set your alarm if necessary. Your temperature will naturally raise up to 0.2 degrees for every hour later in the morning you take your temperature. If you oversleep or take your temperature at a later time be sure to note it on your BBT chart.

For best results it is advised to take your BBT after a minimum of 5 hours sleep, and at least 3 hours of uninterupted sleep before the reading is preferable.

Plot the temperature on your BBT chart to get an overall temperature reading for your entire cycle. Once you have charted for a little while it should become easier to predict when ovulation is occuring.

Ovulation generally occurs mid-cycle and is characterized by a jump in temperature from 0.2 to 0.4 degrees and the temperature should stay elevated fro the rest of the cycle. This may also coincide with more plentiful cervical mucus that is stretchy and described as "egg white" cervical mucus. If you are trying to get pregnant it is best to have intercourse up to 2 days before ovulation.

Chart for a few months to observe patters.

If your temperature stays up for 18 days or more after ovulation you should test for pregnancy.

Download BBT Chart in pdf format.