Basal Temps and Charting Basics (Trying to Conceive)

Once a couple has decided it is time to start actively trying to conceive instead of just "going at it" a couple times a week (or day, for you newly-weds), they will suddenly find themselves thrust into a world of BBT charting, scheduled sexual intercourse, checking cervical mucous and position, HPT-hoarding, etc. All of this can be very confusing and (at times) embarassing, but hopefully this article will help explain some basic information on basal body temperature (BBT) and charting.

BBT charting is probably the most beneficial tool when trying to conceive (TTC). Without going to the doctor every month, there's virtually no other way to verify if/when you ovulate. BBT charting, however, will most closely show you if/when you ovulate and when your best chances are for conceiving.

This is an overview of what you will learn in this article:

1) Why Charting Is Important
2) Buying a Basal Body Thermometer
3) How to chart your temperatures and read the results

Buying a Basal Body Thermometer

Omron Basal Body Thermometer (Basic)

The picture above is a basal body thermometer. You don't have to buy an expensive thermometer to achieve accurate results. The main keys to a good basal body thermometer are:

1. Fast Results - the faster the result, the more accurate
2. Light- Although not required, you will usually be temping in the dark, so a light will help.

Using Your Basal Thermometer

Have your thermometer very accessible to where you sleep. You may also need a flashlight or lamp nearby for reading the results. A notepad, journal, or scratch paper and pen are recommended too, for recording the results.

Every morning, as close to the same time as possible, you should take your temperature. Be sure to get at least 4 to 5 hours of sleep (minimum), and don't do anything else before taking your temperature. Don't use the bathroom or even get out of bed before taking your temperature.

Charting and Reading the Results

Your body settles to a "basal" body temperature (BBT) when you sleep. Over a few hours, your body temperature reaches its "basal" body temperature and this is the temp you are recording every morning. When your estrogen levels are higher than your progesterone levels (pre-ovulatory hormone levels), your BBT is lower. When your progesterone levels are higher than estrogen levels (post-ovulatory hormone levels) your BBT is higher. (See below)

Pre-Ovulatory Temps II Post-Ovulatory TempsEstrogen Levels High II Progesterone Levels High

As you can see in this illustration, of an actual BBT chart, because of the drastic change in temperatures between CD (cycle day - as seen at the bottom of the chart above) 1-14 and 15 on, ovulation was predicted to occur on CD 14.

Now that you understand how to use your basal body thermometer and chart your results, we can learn more about what the results mean...

Understanding the Results

As the illustration above shows, when you can see a clear and sustained jump in temperatures, it is safe to determine that ovulation has, in fact, occurred.

This completes the first step of actively trying to conceive. Buy a basal thermometer, get into the routine of temping in the AM (as soon as you wake up), and record your results. Soon, you will see whether you are ovulating or not, and if a pattern develops (ovulating about the same time every month), when you are most fertile during your cycle.

To get started charting, please visit http://fertilityfriend.com to get a FREE account and start charting immediately.

Jobs I'll Never Have

This is a list (yay! a list :))<---damned double chin lol --of jobs that I would love to have, but probably will never get and why I really don't care ...

Zookeeper - who wants to scoop elephant poop all day anyway?

Teacher - pay sucks and I already have one kid, who needs 30?

Astronaut - sure, go to the Moon, but at least I don't have to stick a vacuum up my butt!

Dog Breeder - why would I want to watch sex all day? would just make me jealous.

Chef - Food is wonderful, but have you ever seen a thin chef?

Runway Model - I hate throwing up.

FBI Detective - I really hate guns. Especially the ones aimed at me.

Doctor - I like having a personality.

Pilot - Peanuts don't fill me up.

Food Critic - Ok, besides the gaining weight bit mentioned with being a Chef, also refer to Runway Model.

Private Investigator - See also, Dog Breeder.

Psychologist - I have my own mental problems.

So, you see, it isn't that I'm not smart enough, educated enough, beautiful enough or ambitious enough to obtain a job as 'classy' as one of those...I just have very valid reasons not to (I love ending sentences with prepositions, so add English Professor to that list of Jobs I'll Never Have).

The Blog Circuit

Ok, so here I am....thinking I want to find some blogs to follow/read. Great! Problem is, I couldn't find a very good source for blogs by category or interest without searching Google.

So I thought...why isn't there a comprehensive index of blogs that people can search in topics/categories that they are interested in? Well, if you've read my previous post about being a visionary, then you'll understand that I just HAD to get the ball rolling.

So, I have. I have a name (TheBlogCircuit.com) and I will hopefully have it fully functional and running by, if not before, March 15, 2009 (creeks not rising and all).

This prospect really excites me because so many people feel it necessary to spill their thoughts onto the internet via blogging and it will *hopefully* be a very useful and USED site.

So, that's what I've been up to lately.

OH and I forgot to mention my first and second YouTube videos...

This one is about the struggle of infertility. My first, ever, video. I am SO very proud of myself (guess that throws "modest" out the window!)

Video #1

This one is of my daughter, Gabrielle.

Video #2

If you like them, please rate/comment/forward to a friend!

Hope to see you all soon, on The Blog Circuit

Just Thought I'd Mention It

So yesterday I found out that my Pop (step-grandpa) will be leaving the States to go back to England. This is sad. He is always missed when he leaves, but part of me can't help but feel guilty because I always take him for granted when he's here. His health isn't great, so I worry about his trip back to England.

Reflecting, for a moment, on my life...

I have been very fortunate to have 3 grandfathers in my life. One was my Grandaddy (RIP). I miss him every day. He was probably the strongest and steadiest male-figure in my life and I looked up to him on so many levels. When he passed, it ripped my heart out. Unfortunately, I didn't keep in constant contact with him through the years which also makes me feel guilty, but I think he knew that I loved him dearly.

I also had another grandfather (RIP) who had so many quirks, did crazy things, aggravated the hell out of me at times and still...when he passed, it was quite upsetting because I missed his funny ways and never really got to know him.

Now, we come to Pop. Thankfully, he is still with us (and hopefully will be for quite some time), but I am making the same mistake with him as I did the other two... We don't have a heck of a lot in common so calling him out-of-the-blue seems awkward. When I visit my mom (which is where he stays on his visits to the States), he stays in his room most of the time, so his presence is hardly noticed. But I can't help but think it is my fault for not making more of an effort.

Ok, so enough of the sad....Just Thought I'd Mention It

How to Make $1 Million

First of all....

I just searched for 'blog topics' because I'm feeling kinda numb to the whole "what do I write about" thing. Interestingly enough, I found 2 topics to write about. One on how people are "suppose" to write blogs and the other on making a million dollars. Neither of which were listed topics. Perhaps I should tell him to add these :)

Topic 1: Blogging (specifically, 'how one should blog')

Is there such a thing as blogging etiquette? Should I be worried? Have I broken any rules? Chances are not, but then again, someone SOMEWHERE always finds a list of rules which everyone should conform to for everything. Perhaps blogging isn't too far from that? Or, perhaps blogging is the one true 'free' anything. Free from grammatical concern (is that even a word?), free from structure, free from rules. Interesting, huh?

Topic 2: How to Make $1 Million

So, there I was...sitting in traffic (should there be a comma here?) when I glance over at a homeless guy holding a cardboard sign that said something important (I'm sure) when I realized I hadn't had a chance to eat all my Hardee's breakfast. So, I stop (nearly causing an accident...I am such a good Samaritan, I know) and hold a Hardee's bag out the window. The guy comes over and says "God bless you, ma'am, do you also have an extra cigarette?" and of course, I said no (again, because I am a good Samaritan).

That act gave me a huge sense of pride and a wonderful idea to make money. Lots of money. Unfortunately, I'd need the help of 1 million other people. I don't think I'll find it, but it is worth a shot!

My idea: It is quite simple, actually...get 1 million people to give me one dollar. That's less than a five-piece chicken nugget at Wendy's (NO! I don't eat out a lot.....much.....)! Surely there are 1 million good-hearted individuals in this country that can help me prove a point, right?

So, that's my idea. If you want to help me get rich.......errrr strike that, MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE, then please comment :)

Until then, I'll keep thinking about How to Make $1 Million.

Twitter Made News! (Again?)

I don't know if Twitter has ever made it to a national news program, but it did make it to a FAKE news program (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart). It was an hilarious skit. Since I am a Twitter newbie, it all seems a bit awkward, but it was really nice to see that I wasn't the only one with Twitter-confusion.

Speaking of The Daily Show, I think I'm in love with Jon Stewart. Don't ask me why, I just think there is a charismatic twinge to Jon that maybe even he doesn't know exists. He has the total package...

Humorous
Generous
Sweet
Logical
Seriously curious, but not too serious
Family-guy (not the other show.....YES, I love that one too!)
did I say humorous? I meant hilarious :)

Anyway, I'd better stop talking like this before my husband gets the wrong impression.

Just thought I'd let everyone know that Twitter Made News! (Again?)

Busy Busy Bee

Today I will officially become a professional graphic artist. I have to print and ship a few nursery art prints! Yay! (You can see the prints I've sold here.)

Yesterday's blog probably should have been more of an introduction, but I saved it for today (was worried I wouldn't have anything else to talk about :)).

My name is Amanda. I live in South Carolina (Charleston area) and own a little website called LullabyBedding.com. I started that site for several reasons, but the first would have to be helping my family survive. The second, which is more important for my customers, is to provide a more affordable venue for expecting moms and dads to decorate their newborns' nursery without having to sacrifice appeal and quality. I was fortunate to gain access to the very same suppliers that the top nationally recognized on-line and off-line baby bedding retailers use. Now I can see where those retailers have doubled and/or tripled their cost as their retail price. The advantage I have is not being greedy! Because my 'store' is completely on-line, the maintenance costs are low and therefore, my prices can be too!

So, basically, if you (or someone you know) is pregnant, take a look at LullabyBedding.com because you will see a huge difference in price but absolutely NO change in quality!

Beyond my business, my life consists of my soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter, Gabbie (short for Gabrielle), my husband, Michael, my dog, Bella Donna (pug/dachshund mutt), and my old and fat cat, Coleman.

I am a deep-thinker and analyst-of-everything. I love T.V. shows like Lie to Me, The Mentalist, and detective/investigative shows. I love to analyze people and shows like these just give me more power :)

I will write more tomorrow....as I said....Busy Busy Bee

Being A Visionary is Exhausting!

I cannot help but feel inspired by everything around me. I am constantly looking to have "the next best idea" that will help my family live happily ever-after. Though, I don't think it is about the money as much as it is about validation. I've always wanted to prove something to people...not yet sure what it is I'm trying to prove, though.

It certainly can't be said that I have no ambition or drive, however. I have accomplished a few things in my life that most wouldn't dare, but those endeavors tend to fall short of my BIG idea. So, there I am, trying to improve and tweak the design or structure to be more perfect.

Bah...as the title says... Being A Visionary is Exhausting!