Disruptive sleeping patterns?

[Pasta]

I'm new to TTC, and next cycle I plan to temp so I'm really trying to educate myself on it. The only thing I think that might get in the way is that my sleeping pattern is extremely erratic and I'm worried my chart probably won't reflect accurately. 

Would it be a good thing or counter productive to set an alarm for a time I know I've been asleep for the longest (around 5:30am), even if it means I would go back to sleep afterwards? Or does it need to be my waking temp? 

Any thoughts on an unpredictable sleeping pattern? I could probably get the weekdays straightened out to where I always go to bed at the same time but the weekends aren't so predictable for various reasons.

[casmer]

I set an alarm for 5:00 because it's the earliest possible time I might get up. If I don't get up at 5 on a weekday or if it's the weekend, I just go back to sleep.  You should temp at the same time everyday for the most accurate chart.  I've found that setting an alarm is the only sure way I'll actually temp.  It's second nature now...sometimes I don't even remember taking my temp!

[Jaimee]

When temping you want to focus on a few things: taking it at the same time each morning (within 30 minutes); taking it after a solid block of sleep (3 hours is usually recommended); and making sure that you don't get out of bed, sit up, drink water, or fall asleep before or while temping.  So basically you just wake up, roll over, temp, and go back to sleep or get up. 

Some women are really sensitive to changes in sleep patterns or ambient temperature (like if your room is hot one morning and not the next or you wake up snuggled under a warm blanket and the next are out of the covers).  But other women find that they can see their pattern despite numerous night wakings, not getting a 3 hour block of sleep prior to temping, or environmental changes.  I have always been able to see a biphasic pattern despite my two awful sleepers.  There were months on end that I was waking up every 90 minutes, but I still got a pattern.  Some women do find setting an early alarm, temping quickly, and going back to bed an effective way to get more consistent results.  But honestly I value my sleep way too much so I would just try with your current schedule and see what happens.  Focus on consistent waking time more than on solid block of sleep.  Then adjust as needed.  Some find that vaginal temping is helpful to keep consistent as well.  Also keep in mind, other things that can affect temp- pretty much the same things that can delay ovulation: travel, stress, diet changes, injury, illness, and strenuous exercise. 

Do you need any pointers on CF observations?  Post if you have questions and use www.fertilityfriend.com to share your chart!  Good luck!

[Pasta]

Alright thanks... it looks like I'll just have to take a cycle or two (well hopefully NOT  ) to figure out what my body is like then. Typically I go to bed between 1-2am and DH gets up for work around 5:30 so I guess I'll just set an alarm for about 10 min before he wakes.

[Jaimee]

What time do you usually get up?  Waking to your dh's alarm isn't really an issue if you go back to sleep and wake up a few hours later.  I would imagine you would see a fine pattern that way if your waking time is pretty consistent.  You could also experiment and take your temp when your dh's alarm goes off and again when you wake up and see which way produces the more consistent temps and clear pattern. 

[Pasta]

My waking time is unfortunately not consistent at all. Sometimes I wake up early, around when DH does and other days I might sleep in til 9 or 10. It really depends on what I have to do for the day. I suppose this is a good incentive to start a healthier sleeping pattern for myself as well...