Fertility: basal body temperature

For most of the couples trying to conceive is a fun and easy activity. Most of the women will get pregnant quickly as soon as they give up on contraception and start practicing unprotected sex. However, there are a lot of couples who are desperately trying to achieve pregnancy. One of the ways to increase the odds is to chart the fertility cycle and understand when a woman has the best chances of becoming pregnant. This method is also suitable for couples who are having an ideal due date in mind, and for all those who believe in perfect timing of the most important events in life.

Charting ovulation

Theoretically, a woman can become pregnant at any given point during their fertile years. Women’s’ fertility peaks between the ages of 22 and 26 and then gradually decreases. However, all reproductively capable women are most likely to become pregnant a couple of days before and a couple of days after the ovulation. Ovulation is a process by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an egg that is capable of being fertilized. Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of a menstrual cycle, which typically lasts 28 days. However, the exact duration of menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman, and even from cycle to cycle for the same woman. Charting ovulation can therefore improve the odds of becoming pregnant as an accurate way of predicting ovulation.

Charting changes in basal body temperature

Taking notes on changes in basal body temperature is something that can help women in becoming pregnant. Basal body temperature is the lowest temperature attained by the body during rest. It is usually achieved during sleep and measured immediately after awakening and before any physical activity has been undertaken. Just before ovulation, basal body temperature is somewhere between 97.0 to 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. At the time of ovulation, the body releases progesterone, a hormone that slightly increases the body temperature by 0.1 or 0.2 degrees. Measuring body temperature each day, and keeping a track of the changes, can help to determine the exact date of ovulation.

Women are advised to begin tracking temperature on the first day of the period, at the same time every day. It is important not to do anything before taking the measurement and the best way to do it is to take it before getting out of bed in the morning. It is also important to use the same measurement technique every day. For example, if a woman takes oral measurement on the first day, she should continue with this method.