[lucy_v]

Hi everyone.

I have been lurking for a bit, having had a miscarriage in February. I'm feeling much better now, and DH & I are trying again. I started using Fertility Friend after the m/c, my first time charting. AF came and went, and so I'm on my first "normal" cycle. My question is about the time for checking my temp. FF has decided that I ovulated six days ago, which seems to be based on the temps from the last two days. However, I checked my temp an hour later than normal on those days (open dots on chart). If I knock the temp down by .2 for each of those days, ovulation is no longer indicated. So my question is: Can an hour difference in temping time make that much of a difference? I'll try to check it at the "regular" time tomorrow. Based on my CM, it seems like O would have been in the past few days, and FF suggests that my signs don't all align.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[MaerynPearl]

FF will be more accurate as you add more months.... and try to always temp at the same time because changes can really screw the whole thing up.

 

[lucy_v]

Thanks, MP! Since it's our first month trying again, I'm still in the uber-hopeful mindset that I won't need "months,"

but I see what you mean. I guess FF has to "get to know" me a bit!

Is it a good idea to discard temps when they aren't taken at the normal time? I suppose it's my choice. I do feel that based on my CM, CP, O pains, etc. that I O'd in the last few days.

Thanks again, this is a wonderful community!

 

[MaerynPearl]

yes you should discard any you don't feel are accurate...

trust your body this month... you could be one of the lucky ones and get pregnant without needing the charting.

 

[Manessa]

I'm new to charting, but I think it looks like you ovulated on CD15. I'd wait a little longer and see what your temps do, then you'll know for sure.

 

[massaginmommy]

I'm betting that you O'd closer to cd 15 as well. FF gives dotted lines if they are in question. I think after a few more temps they will move your lines forward and make them solid. You covered your bases bding really well so I think you are fine either way. I went to temping vaginally as the slight difference in time doesn't seem to make much difference for temp wise me now that I am doing that.

 

[lucy_v]

Thanks for all of your insight. I think you're right, Manessa & massaginmommy, about O'ing around CD15, even just based on how I felt. I'll see what goes on with my temps... and I'll try to be more consistent with my temping time, knowing that it can make that much of a difference!

I am amazed at how much information you can get from charting, and I can't believe I didn't know about this sooner.

 

[Pinoikoi]

I have been taking the Fertility friend courses.. it says to never "adjust" your temps.. record what you see. Temp at the same time every day- but it also has to be the FIRST thing you do every day.. that is what is tricky for ME because I have several kids at home that wake me up wanting this or that, so my chart is wacky looking because of that.. I STRIVE for a 6am temp, but it doesn't happen often. I have decided to set my alarm to 5am and see if I can get all 5am temps instead..

ah.. waking up at 5am for weeks on end.. not what I would wish on my worst enemy, but what's a girl to do?

 

[MaerynPearl]

i get up at 4am every day... cant wait to get my replacement thermometer this week XD

 

[Pinoikoi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl i get up at 4am every day...

:

 

[BelovedK]

I do 5am because sometimes bf has to get up then, I don't mind. I get up and exercise and practice dance before everyone is up.

 

[kztmom]

My temp goes up about 0.5 degrees every hour, so I OBSESS about temping at the same time, particularly around O time. Even with a few jumps in my graph, I still record it and just make a note of it in FF, and mentally adjust for it while looking at my chart. Fortunately, all my other fertility signs are all in sync, so it helps to normalize the graph. Once one cycle is complete, and you can look at the bigger picture, it will become clear when you O'd.

And I agree, charting is awesome. I love the sense of control it gives you. I just wish there was a machine I could hook myself to that will take the readings while I sleep!

 

[lucy_v]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl i get up at 4am every day... cant wait to get my replacement thermometer this week XD

MP, what thermometer are you getting?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelovedK I do 5am because sometimes bf has to get up then, I don't mind. I get up and exercise and practice dance before everyone is up.

I've thought about doing that---get up early & practice yoga---but my muscles are so tight in the morning, it's really tough. Maybe as the weather gets nicer, I can try taking a short walk first. Do you do anything special to get your body going that early, or are you a natural morning person?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kztmom My temp goes up about 0.5 degrees every hour, so I OBSESS about temping at the same time, particularly around O time. Even with a few jumps in my graph, I still record it and just make a note of it in FF, and mentally adjust for it while looking at my chart. Fortunately, all my other fertility signs are all in sync, so it helps to normalize the graph. Once one cycle is complete, and you can look at the bigger picture, it will become clear when you O'd. And I agree, charting is awesome. I love the sense of control it gives you. I just wish there was a machine I could hook myself to that will take the readings while I sleep!

I see what you mean, kztmom. I checked mine at the "regular" time today, checked it again twice after nodding off (40 mins later, 40 mins after that), and it went up .2 degrees each time.

I'm trying to envision the machine or device that would your temp while you sleep, and I'm alternately laughing and cringing...

 

[MaerynPearl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy_v MP, what thermometer are you getting?

I forget. lol... it's a cheap basal one that has good reviews... i can't afford much but dd tore my old one apart when my sister was babysitting :|

 

[Lauren31]

I have a cheap one I bought at Wal-Mart when I randomly went there. It was like 9 bucks. I assume its fine.

 

[RoseRed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauren31 I have a cheap one I bought at Wal-Mart when I randomly went there. It was like 9 bucks. I assume its fine.

That is all I have too. I just used a regular thermometor when concieving dd (I know some poeple hate that and say it doesn't work) but doing that with fertility friend worked and were were able to concieve after onle 4 months of temping. I am hoping now that I have abasal it will go quicker lol.. not likely but a girl can hope.

 

[lucy_v]

Mine is a vicks digital fever thermometer. I probably should replace it because sometimes it finishes so quickly, I'm suspicious of its accuracy. When it does that, I test again right away, and usually get a different temp. Sometimes I can check it ten times in a row, and get several different readings--and, it usually reads differently depending on the side of my mouth I use it! As I write this, I realize I should probably get a new one for next month...!

 

[massaginmommy]

I have a basal but it doesn't register the 1/10 degree so just like 98.2 vs 98.26 so accurate but not super accurate. I jsut haven't ever foudn a better one.