Female body
Any woman planning a pregnancy will sooner or later face the need to measure basal temperature and build an appropriate schedule. But not everyone who encounters this problem knows what basal temperature is. In this article we will talk about this in more detail.
So, basal temperature is the temperature that is measured in the mouth, vagina, or rectum.
When
planning a pregnancy , this is usually done in a second or third way.
How can this help? The fact is that the menstrual cycle of any woman is divided into three periods - the first, when the egg matures, which is necessary for fertilization (follicular); the second period - the egg moves through the fallopian tubes (ovulation); in the third phase, either pregnancy occurs, or if fertilization has not occurred, the next menstruation begins (luteal). At each phase, the basal temperature varies, it is highest at the end of the cycle, and lower, respectively, at the beginning.
Temperature in different phases of the cycle
What is basal temperature, we found out, now we will understand how it will help in planning the conception. Everything is very simple. It is known that the ideal time when fertilization can occur is in the ovulation phase. Therefore, knowing about the characteristics of basal temperature during this period, we will be able to calculate it and prepare as much as possible for conception. As mentioned above, the follicular phase is characterized by a low temperature, about 36.5 degrees, and the luteal phase is high (it can rise a full degree), while ovulation occurs with a slight decrease in temperature - perhaps only one tenth of a degree. Having noticed such a jump down, be sure - ovulation has begun. It happens that no jump is observed, then the "moment X" is considered the day before the temperature rises.
Building a chart
Now you know how basal temperature is useful. The graph, however, will help you more accurately determine the desired day of conception, so we will learn how to build it. It is still simpler here. On the X axis we mark the day of the month, on the Y axis the temperature. Every day (attention
Note: necessarily in the morning), having
measured the temperature, mark on the graph a point corresponding to the day when the measurement was made, and the readings on the thermometer. Next, connect the points and get a broken line. For accurate results, repeat measurements every day for several months.
Although we learned what basal temperature is and how it helps pregnancy, it’s worth understanding that her schedule can tell you many more interesting things about your body. For example, you can determine the duration of each phase of your cycle, understand whether you have ovulation at all (if not, consult a doctor), calculate the next monthly period, find out if your reproductive system is healthy, and, of course, practically determine your pregnancy right after this happened.
Read the chart
Pay attention to deviations in the schedule. For example, if you observe a temperature atypical of the follicular phase or if any period of the cycle lasts less than it should be, then you may be short of hormones or your appendages are inflamed, the same reasons can cause prolonged ovulation - more than three days.
Note that basal temperature during pregnancy (at its beginning) is usually the same as at the ovulation stage. Of course, it is better to keep a schedule under the supervision of a doctor. Be sure to consult a specialist if you are planning a pregnancy. He will not only explain what basal temperature is, but will also help in reading its schedule.