Questions about charting temps???

Hi all,
I have recently started to chart my temperature to try and work out if I am even ovulating. Am a little confused as to how much it may increase around O time? If anyone can give me some advise that would be great.
I did buy a proper ovulation themometer so hopefully that is right :)
Starting to get VERY frustrated now as we have been trying for about 4-5 months and it just does not seem to be happening!
I was on the pill for about 10 years and came off it earlier this year, having very normal cycles for a few months and then it all went crazy and now I don't know what my cycle is, although I have been getting AF every month so I guess that is a good sign - what do you think?
Any comments or suggestions would be welcomed.

Are you charting online? If you are and can post a link to your charts it would make it easier to respond.

But, I guess there's still a few things I could suggest. Are you taking your temps first thing in the morning before doing anything (ie wake up and reach for thermometer before getting up to pee, etc) after at least 5 hours sleep? And are you taking your temperature at pretty much the same time every day?

The first of these is very important. You need to take your temp before you start moving around and within 30 mins of waking up. You also need at least 4-5 hours sleep for your body to reach it's resting temperature in the first place.

For some people the second question (time of temp) is less critical, but for some it makes a big difference. Ideally, you want to take your temp at the same time every day, plus or minus half an hour. For example, my normal wake up time during the week is 6am, so anywhere between 5.30am and 6.30am is good. But it's more important to take it as soon as you wake up than at the same time, so this morning when I woke at 5am I took it then instead of waiting.

If you want to get an idea of what some ovulatorty charts look like, feel free to click on the link to my charts below. I've got all of mine (from Aug 07 onwards) there for your viewing pleasure. ;) I find that my "normal" pre-O temps are around 36.3 and post-O are around 36.7, but they usually fluctuate. Your increase in temp after O could be as little as 0.2C depending on your body. I found it took months for me to really grasp what my "normal" cycle was.

As for getting frustrated at the 4-5 month mark, that's very normal but try not to worry too much. Most couples will fall pg within the first 12 months of trying. If you haven't succeeded after 12 months (or 6 months if you're over 35) you can see your GP about a referral to a specialist if you want to pursue that course of action.

ps If you're not already charting online, the site I use has a free online charting course which is very informative and you can use their basic charting functions for free.

hi there!

Juniper has given some great advice for getting the most accurate temps!

Usually a thermal shift occurs AFTER you ovulate as the progesterone increases causing your BBT to raise. so if you are waiting for the thermal shift, you might be getting in too late!!

it is always a good idea to check out your other 'fertile' signs to give you an idea of when ovulation is approaching: increased CM (usually watery or egg-white consistency), sometimes an increased sex drive, some girls also get a bit of bloating or tender breasts. checking these out with your temps is a great way to see when O is approaching. and unless undertaking any gender swaying (ie trying for a boy or trying for a girl) it is best to get in as much BD in the days PRIOR to O. after you O there is only a 12 hour window of opportunity and for many, this is not long enough for the sperm to catch the egg in the fallopian tube.

HTH and sending loads of babydust your way! :bluedust::pink-babydust:

p.s. have you joined a TTC buddy group on here? can be a great way to meet other girls on the TTC train...