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Fertility Temping Tips

8 Ways to Get the Most Accurate Basal Body Temperature

By Kim Seidel

Kara Holzer of Mount Juliet, Tenn., recorded her BBT for 13 cycles when she was trying to conceive her son, who is now 2 1/2 years old. She also has an 8-month-old daughter. During two of those cycles, she was pregnant and miscarried, but she continued to track her BBT.

"I kept the thermometer by the bed, and set my alarm to take my temperature about the same time each morning," Holzer says.

While you can purchase a thermometer specifically to measure your BBT, a digital thermometer will work just as well, Dr. Maves says. Whatever thermometer you choose, take your temperature in the same way – orally, vaginally or rectally – each morning at the same time.

"I didn't have a special BBT thermometer, just a regular digital thermometer that reads 10ths of degrees," Holzer says. "My thermometer also stored the last temperature."

On the weekends, Holzer says she would wake up to take her temperature, and then go back to sleep. She checked the thermometer memory later to record her temperature.

You can select from a variety of different charts to track your BBT. To keep it simple, make your own chart with plain or graph paper, Dr. Maves says. Put the starting date at the top of each graph and start recording. There are also several online sites that have free, printable BBT charts.

Holzer recorded her temps on a piece of paper by the bed, but then she did the charting online, using a Web site that allows users to input temps and track patterns. The site estimates ovulation and patterns over several cycles.

Want to see more?

• All About Ovulation: The Inside Story to Help You Conceive
• Fertile Signs: Scientific and Subtle Ways to Know You're Ready to Conceive
• Basal Body Temperature: Should You "Temp" for Fertility Signs?
• 7 Sexy Secrets for Conception: Make It a Moment You'll Never Forget
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!

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