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The Right Timing

Learn to Track Your Body's Fertile
Signs to Help You Conceive

Part 2

By Jessica Williams

Upon awakening, the body is in a "basal state." Taking your temperature with a special thermometer each morning at the same time gives you your basal body temperature. Like the ovulation tracking method, changes in the body are recorded on a chart, in hopes of predicting ovulation. But, unlike the ovulation method, the changes are recorded on a daily basis throughout the cycle, and past charts are studied for prediction more seriously because ovulation is not apparent on the chart until after it has occurred.

So when taking your temperature for the first cycle, the reading will remain about the same (with no large changes) for the first weeks of the cycle and through ovulation. It is after ovulation has already occurred that the temperature reading will rise. This is due to the progesterone that is released. This higher temperature remains until menstruation begins. After charting a few cycles, a couple may begin to notice a very scheduled pattern. Ovulation can then be predicted.

Want to see more?

• Fertile Signs: Scientific and Subtle Ways to Know You're Ready to Conceive
• Truth Be Told: Common Infertility Myths
• Fertility Boosters: 6 Things You Might Have Overlooked
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!

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