What is BBT Charting?

BBT stands for Basal Body Temperature which is a persons at-rest temperature. Women can track their BBT by taking their temperature every morning after they wake from sleeping. This can be used as a tool to see when ovulation has occurred, after ovulation your temperature naturally increases.  I recommend recording your BBT daily in a journal or BBT chart. If you are also coming in for acupuncture treatments this allows me to monitor the effects of herbal formulas and acupuncture on the menstrual cycle in order to get the best results.

Why is BBT Charting Helpful?

If you are trying to conceive BBT charting is a very useful tool to self-monitor when you are most fertile and the best time to have intercourse that will result in a pregnancy. Charting also aids with diagnosing anovulation, late ovulation, short luteal phase, hormonal imbalances, insufficient progesterone, and recurrent miscarriages. Many people are told to have intercourse mid cycle or day 14, however the cycle length varies from person to person and even month to month. It could be possible that you are having intercourse at the wrong time of the cycle and it will not produce a pregnancy.

How to BBT Chart

Take your temperature first thing in the morning after three hours of consecutive sleep before getting out of bed at your regular time. I recommend printing off a BBT chart to record your daily temperature. Your temperature will rise after ovulation has occurred as a result of progesterone.

Monitoring Cervical Fluid

Cervical fluid is produced during the fertile time of the cycle to provide a medium for sperm to live and move through the cervix. This fluid provides an Alkaline medium to protect the sperm from the acidity of the vagina. Fertile cervical fluid is similar to raw egg whites and is able to stretch from 1-10 inches. It is usually clear but can be streaked with blood. A lubricated feeling of the vagina is an important indicator of fertility at this time. You should start to check your cervical fluid the first day after menstruation has ended. Your “peak day” of fertility is the last day of cervical fluid or feeling of vaginal lubrication.

Monitoring Cervical Position

As you approach ovulation your cervix rises, softens and opens. A low, firm and closed cervix indicates a non-fertile time where you’re either not ovulating or have already ovulated.

 

 

Happy Charting!

Comox Valley Acupuncture