BBT question

I've got a question about taking my BBT.  I normally get up at 5am, however I regularly wake up enough to roll over and see the clock anywhere between 3:45-4:30.  I've been taking my temp when I wake up for the first time (before 5am), because I think that's what I'm supposed to be doing.  My early temps are showing up as circles rather than dots on my fertilityfriend chart because they are so early.  http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/27eac9 (I think this is the right link now).

This morning for grins I took my temp when I first woke up, the next time I woke up, and right before I got up.  Here were my temps:

4:15 am -  97.6
4:45 am -  98.0
5:15 am -  97.9

So, my questions are, what temp should I use today, and in the future when should I take them, the first time I wake up regardless of my actual getting up time or right before I get up?

Thanks!

Debbi

Hi there, I'm going to try and pay it forward, since this was my 1st month temping and charting. As far as giving us a link to your chart.... You need to click on the sharing tab on the left and then home page setup, and it will create your own little web page, and thats the link you'll want to give us. Otherwise, I just se my own hehe

And regarding times, I would think you just need to pick a consistant time and stick with it. I think that's probably the most important thing. My alarm clock goes off at 5:45 so thats when I take my temp. Sometimes I have woken up and seen the clock earlier, but I just go back to sleep til the alarm goes off. 2 weekend days ended up being taken late, and those did show as open circles, but they didn't end up affecting my chart too much.

Hope this helps and Im sure one of our experts (Shari's the one who helped me a bunch) will let you know their thoughts

Good luck!

Lisa

Thanks Lisa!  I've changed the link for my chart.  I really like that site but haven't played around with it much yet.

I actually plugged all three temps in today just to see what happened.  All three changed my O date, and the two higher temps changed my coverline. 

Thanks for your help!

Debbi

The open circles on your chart mean that you have entered something in your data that may make those temperature points unreliable. In most cases it is the time the temperature was taken or that you entered that you were sleep deprived.

You should take the temperature first thing before you wake up (sit up) in the morning and the exact same time. Additionally, vaginal temperatures are the most accurate. If you just look at the clock, then no I wouldn't take your temperature. If you are going to get up to use the restroom and it is close to the time you will be waking up, I would take your temperature there and just record the accruate time (ie. 4:30 instead of 5am).

Traci

Because of your two open temps I wouldn't stop bd just yet. Do you have a regular cycle? The girls are right. Pick a time and try to stick to it, even if you look at your clock earlier. Also vaginal temps are more accurate.

ovulation prediction tests can help pinpoint ovulation and cervical mucous can too. When you are near o you may have a clear eggwhite type discharge for a day or so, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. (some don't get it) but it is a good way to help judge o time for free.

For todays temp I would use the temp that is closest to the time you usually temp. You said before 5, but is 4:15 more accurate or 4:45 for time? Then still bd until you know for sure you have the clear thermal shift.

Good luck. Shari

Thanks Shari!  This is my 2nd month off of the Nuva Ring, and last month I had a short, light cycle so I'm not sure how "regular" my cycles are yet.  I'll definitely start charting only my actually getting up time temp at 5am. 

I'm such a "perfectionist" I was trying to do it exactly as instructed "take temp when you first wake up in the am after at least 3 solid hrs of sleep".  Since I wake up often at night for very short times I was having a hard time figuring out when to take it.

I'll update my chart to the 5:15 time today since that's when I actually got up today, and see what that does to my chart.

I think I'll also invest in some OPK next month (if nothing happens this month), to try to help me figure things out.

Thanks again!

Debbi