You have taken the big decision and now you are trying to have a baby. Many couples fear the fact that it may be more difficult to get pregnant than it actually appears to be. Luckily, nature has given us some ways and hints that can help each lady predict her ovulation and facilitate the process.
Basal body temperature (BBT) is one term that you would probably want to get familiar with. Measuring BBT each day will help you increase your chances of getting pregnant. What is BBT and how can the measure of this temperature help you in your efforts?
What is BBT and How Does it Work?
The female body is an intricate mechanism. During the menstrual cycle, different types of hormones are released into the bloodstream, affecting one bodily function or another.
During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the female body is mainly regulated by estrogen. Estrogen helps ovaries produce an egg that will be released during the ovulation period. The second stage of the menstrual cycle sees an increase in progesterone. Progesterone is predominant and its levels start decreasing with menstruation.
Estrogen is known as a 'cold' hormone. Progesterone on the other hand is 'warm.' During ovulation, the hormone that is mostly active is estrogen. During ovulation, the bodily temperature decreases slightly and sees an increase once again when progesterone levels in the bloodstream increase. These changes in temperature can be used to determine the days of ovulation.
How Should BBT be Measured?
All you need to measure BBT and to detect temperature changes during the days of ovulation is a thermometer. It is very important to find an accurate one and to keep measuring BBT with the same thermometer each day.
Prepare a chart. This chart will be used to insert temperature readings and to see how these correspond to the menstrual cycle. BBT charts are actually available online. You will only have to print those.
BBT is a measure of the bodily temperature immediately after you wake up. Refrain from moving or getting up to brush your teeth. As soon as you open your eyes, you should reach for the thermometer.
It is also important to measure BBT during the same time each morning. This may mean waking up early on weekend days but the readings will be accurate only if they are taken into a consistent manner each day.
To get familiar with the method, start measuring BBT on the first day of your cycle - this is the first day of your menstrual bleeding.
Before ovulation, BBT should read between 36.1 and 36.8 degrees Celsius (between 97 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit). After ovulation, the bodily temperature reads anything above 36.5 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit). As you do that for several months, you will be able to spot this increase, as soon as it happens.
Is a BBT Measure Sufficient to Predict Ovulation?
The measure of BBT alone is insufficient to determine exactly when your ovulation is taking place. BBT does not predict ovulation. Some women may even experience a temperature decrease on their ovulation day.
Other signs have to be considered, as well. Vaginal secretion changes in the days of ovulation, as well.
To increase chances of pregnancy, couples should be having sex on each day before a BBT increase is registered. This will increase chances of pregnancy occurring.
BBT charts can also be helpful when a woman is trying to determine health problems. BBT measure can be used to diagnose problems like the lack of ovulation (no change in temperature), irregular menstrual cycle, thyroid problems and infertility problems.
Jamie Highland writes about various family, pregnancy, and baby topics. For more info or to check out some baby shower gifts or some baby shower favors, visit My Baby Shower Favors. If you want more articles, visit our site and click on the Contact Us link. Note: You can reprint this article in your ezine, blog, or website as long as the credits remain intact and hyperlinks remain active and dofollow.
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