Hellobee Boards

Welcome! (since I didn't say it in the other thread).

Some people have really obvious cervical fluids (we call it CM for cervical mucous here, I think). Some people can just look at the changes in secretions on their panties, some people take a swipe with TP or finger too. I never really could figure it out!

When I was just testing the waters, I just temped but it was really hard to see when I ovulated. I also had just came off BCP and my cycles were crazy so it was completely unpredictable. I had a lot of success with using OPKs; got pregnant the 1st cycle I used them!

I use Ovia now too, but when I was TTC, I used Fertility Friend.

ETA: Basal temp gets to the 10th of a degree so it's not exactly a regular thermometer; they are more accurate. This is the one I have -
http://www.target.com/p/up-up-digital-basal-thermometer-1-count/-/A-11676081#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=basal

I will let someone answer about how all this info tells you if you're ovulating b/c it's been a while and I completely forgot! And I'm totally relying on OPK when I TTC again haha.

@mrstseluyu:
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/courses/lesson.php?p=1;6;0;0

Dig around on this website! Lots of helpful information. They have an app for charting also.

@mrstseluyu: I just put it by my nightstand and took it before I got out of bed.

I highly recommend you read Taking Charge of your Fertility. It is such an informative book and taught me so much about my body and cycle. It will also help you chart.

Another vote for "Taking charge of your fertility"

I've been toggling between ovia and fertility friend for the past couple of months and I prefer fertility friend for a few reasons. when you sign up they send you "lessons" that basically sum up all the info in taking charge of your fertility. as you record your temps when you finally see the rise that marks ovulation fertility friend will give you "crosshairs" on your chart marking that you actually did ovulate by their calculations and will help determine your test date. i found ovia to be less precise

I only record CM if its very noticable

I dont record Cervical position

Basal thermometers are available in most pharmacies - look near the condoms and pregnancy tests if they're not with regular thermometers.

Ovulation is usually detected when your temps kinda stay in the same range for about 2 weeks then you might see a dip (that's ovulation) and then the temps shoot up higher then those first batch of readings if you're pregnant they will stay high if you're not they will stay high for another 2 weekish then drop down and you'll get your period... in theory

@mrstseluyu: I thought it might help to see some "typical" charts. You can see the upward shift in temperatures after ovulation and then before your period starts, they start to drop back down. This is called a bi-phasic chart.

If you're pregnant, they stay elevated instead of dropping for your period. For some people, the temperatures will actually make a second upward shift, creating a tri-phasic chart.