If you are planning to get pregnant soon, then it makes sense to follow the basal temperature chart. So you can reliably track the onset of ovulation and find out about pregnancy even before the delay of menstruation. More on this in the article below, which also provides examples of basal charts during pregnancy.

The human body is a very complex system. It constantly undergoes cyclical changes and processes beyond our control. This is especially true of the female reproductive system. Nevertheless, it is possible and necessary to track some processes, in particular the basal temperature. Such information will not only help you choose the best day to conceive a child, but also monitor the condition of the fetus throughout your pregnancy.

Basal body temperature is body temperature measured in the rectum, mouth, or vagina. The temperature indicator, when measured, is influenced by the hormonal component in the woman's body. The higher the level of progesterone in the blood, the higher the basal body temperature.

It is worth noting that basal temperature should be measured only in a state of calm, best after a night's sleep, which lasted at least 7 hours. This is due to the fact that during the day the temperature is constantly changing depending on the activity of the woman, and in the morning, when the body wakes up from sleep, BT will be the most constant.
The effectiveness of the method is accurate only if the basal temperature is constantly monitored. Regular measurements should be carried out for at least three months, in compliance with all the rules, until the planned conception of the child.

How to measure basal temperature

In order for the basal temperature indicators to be most accurate, when measuring it, you must follow the following rules:

• basal body temperature should be measured in the mouth, vagina, or rectum. The last option is considered the most informative. It should be noted that it is necessary to measure BT during the study period in the same place, otherwise the schedule will be considered inaccurate;
• in order to avoid instrumental error, it is necessary to use the same thermometer. It can be mercury or electronic - your choice;
• basal temperature should be measured in the morning, at the same time every day;
• it is best to measure basal temperature without getting out of bed, try not to even sit down before the procedure, as the body must be in a state of complete rest;
• the duration of the measurement should be 5-7 minutes or until the sound signal, in the case of using an electronic thermometer;
• you need to start keeping a graph of basal temperature from the first day of the cycle and not interrupt measurements even during menstruation.

• measurements were made at different times of the day;
• the body was not at rest;
• a woman has been ill with viral diseases (ARVI) with fever;
• while maintaining the schedule, the woman took medications, in particular hormonal ones;
• during the cycle, the woman was very active and slept little (there were long trips or air travel);
• on the eve of the measurement, a large amount of alcohol was drunk.

Basal temperature chart during a normal menstrual cycle

As mentioned above, it is necessary to measure basal temperature starting from the first day of the cycle. So, in the first phase of the cycle of menstruation, with the correct operation of the reproductive system of a woman, BT should be equal to 36.4-36.7 degrees.

By the middle of the cycle, this figure drops to approximately 36.2 degrees. Then it rises sharply to 37 degrees and above. This mark on the thermometer indicates the appearance of ovulation and the most favorable days for conception.

After ovulation is completed, the temperature drops again, to about 36.7 degrees.

Basal temperature chart for anovulatory cycle

The anovulatory cycle of menstruation is a period when ovulation and maturation of the corpus luteum are not observed in the female body. At the same time, the regularity of menstruation is maintained.

It is worth noting that the anovulatory menstrual cycle is normal and does not indicate any changes in a woman's reproductive health. It happens once or twice a year.

The graph of basal temperature during the anovulatory menstrual cycle fluctuates at around 36.4-36.7 degrees and does not increase in the second phase.

Chart of basal temperature during pregnancy before delay

Thanks to the indicators of basal temperature, you can find out about the onset of pregnancy even before the delay of menstruation. The fact is that the hormone progesterone is responsible for increasing or decreasing BBT. During ovulation, its content in the blood rises significantly, and the temperature of the internal organs increases. So, if conception has occurred, then its quantity does not decrease, which means that the temperature is also preserved. If you notice that BBT has not decreased after the expected end of ovulation and remains at around 37 degrees and above, then you can most likely be congratulated on the successful conception of the fetus.

The BT schedule during pregnancy before a delay is not a 100% accurate indicator, so it is also recommended to make a test strip.

Basal chart during pregnancy, photo:

Chart of basal temperature during early pregnancy

If you are convinced that pregnancy has occurred, then you should not stop keeping a schedule. Indeed, with the help of information about the temperature during pregnancy, you can control the condition of the fetus and the possibility of inflammatory processes.
It is especially important to control the BT schedule during early pregnancy if:

• you have had miscarriages in the past;
• previous pregnancy ended in fetal fading;
• you are in treatment;
• There have been cases of ectopic pregnancy.

In the first trimester, the normal basal temperature should be kept at around 37-37.2 degrees. If it increases, especially exceeds the figure of 37.5 degrees, then this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.

Examples of basal temperature charts during pregnancy.

Temperature chart during pregnancy

If your pregnancy is proceeding normally, then after 20 weeks, the basal temperature will decrease, and marks of 36.8-36.9 degrees should appear on the chart. If you see a slight increase in BBT in the second trimester (by 0.1-0.2 degrees) - do not be alarmed, perhaps this happened due to heavy loads on the body or your activity the day before.

Just like in the second trimester, in the third, the basal temperature is slightly lower than that which was immediately after conception and is kept at around 36.9 degrees.

The reason for the experience may be an increase in basal temperature in the second and third trimester above 37.3 degrees. This may indicate:

• inflammatory processes, in particular the pelvic organs;
• exacerbation of infectious diseases;
• placental abruption.

It is worth noting that it is extremely important to track the BT schedule during pregnancy by weeks until the 18th week. After the 20th week of pregnancy, this procedure is practically useless, since both you and the baby will be under constant medical supervision. Compared to regular check-ups with a doctor, the BT schedule will generally not be informative.

Graph of basal temperature during pregnancy. Video

Basal temperature in early pregnancy is an important indicator, a "symptom", by which one can judge the state of a woman's body and, in particular, her reproductive system, diseases, inflammatory and pathological processes.

Determination of basal temperature

Measuring and fixing BBT is a simple manipulation that any woman can master. The basal temperature is measured using a conventional thermometer in one of three possible areas: rectally, vaginally or orally. It is very convenient at the same time to draw up a special schedule on which you and your doctor will see all the changes during the menstrual cycle.

It is advisable to measure the basal temperature daily, once a day and measure it in a horizontal position, always after a long (at least 6 hours) night sleep, since at any other time the temperature can change under the influence of physical and emotional factors: exercise, food intake, stress, etc. Also, BBT should not be measured during the period of illness. In such cases, the basal temperature during and outside of pregnancy cannot correctly characterize the processes occurring in the body, and can mislead your doctor. If measurements are nevertheless carried out, then notes are necessarily put in the graph about the disease and other phenomena that can potentially lead to errors in the results.

Physiological BT

Many women are interested in what the basal temperature should be in early pregnancy, and what its fluctuations in one direction or another mean. Those who cannot conceive for many years are especially worried. Usually, on the recommendation of a gynecologist, when planning a pregnancy, a schedule is set up on which BBT data is recorded throughout the entire month every day. Pregnancy can be determined without delay, and without examination, by changes in such a graph. Although it must be said that this method is already obsolete. It is inconvenient, not always accurate, but free.

Immediately before the critical days, the basal temperature decreases from 37 ° C to 36.9 ° C. But, if it is fixed in the range from 37 to 37.2 degrees during this period, starting from the middle of the menstrual cycle, it does not drop immediately before menstruation and also remains at the same level after menstruation, then the likelihood of conception is high. Of course, everyone knows that when pregnancy occurs, menstruation does not occur, but sometimes another menstruation occurs after conception (this is how ordinary people characterize moderate uterine bleeding). Everything is very individual here.

The BT schedule will tell us how normal the basal temperature is in the early stages of pregnancy. That is, in order to draw some conclusions, it will not be enough to take measurements 1-3 times. Here, too, a system is needed.
In general, raising the basal temperature to 37-37.2 ° C can be described as a symptom of pregnancy. It is advisable to confirm this fact at a gynecologist's appointment or to do a rapid pregnancy test.

Pathological BT

If you already know that conception has occurred, you can continue to schedule BBT. Sometimes this is required by a gynecologist, therapist, endocrinologist. According to the basal temperature, pathologies and disorders, inflammatory processes can be determined.

The temperature can rise and is much higher than 37.2 °C. For example, with an ectopic pregnancy. This is facilitated by the hormone progesterone. With strong inflammatory processes, BT can reach 38 ° C.

If, during the recorded conception, the temperature dropped below thirty-seven degrees, then we can assume that this is the beginning of serious disorders or complications. Perhaps the reason for this is estrogen or progesterone deficiency, violations of the corpus luteum, miscarriage. There are also single decreases in basal temperature in early pregnancy associated with fatigue, physical and emotional overload, general condition of the body, climate change, etc. you should not be very nervous about this, but in the near future you should consult a doctor and do an ultrasound to make sure that the embryo develops normally.

After fertilization, all organs and systems of the female body undergo serious changes. Physiological transformations are felt already at the initial stage of pregnancy. A key indicator of the girl's health at this time is the basal temperature, changes in which may indicate pathologies or abnormalities.

What is basal body temperature

This is an indicator of temperature in conditions of maximum rest of the body. BBT is measured during pregnancy rectally and depends on the hormone progesterone secreted by the female genital organs, the volume of which often changes during the monthly cycle. By determining the basal temperature, you can find out the time of the beginning and end of ovulation (for planning fertilization), as well as detect the onset of pregnancy. BT allows you to find out if there are inflammations or other pathological processes in the female body.

The norm of BT after conception

In order for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterine wall, certain conditions are necessary. The female body creates a favorable environment for this with the help of progesterone, which is produced in increased volumes during ovulation. With the help of the hormone, the uterus becomes able to accept a fertilized egg and allow the placenta to develop. This explains the increase in BBT in early pregnancy. As a rule, the value of the thermometer shows 37-37.3 ° C.

If the basal temperature in the early stages of pregnancy remains within the specified limits, this indicates that the development of the fetus is normal, without complications. In some women, the indicator may deviate up to 38 degrees, which is due to the individual characteristics of the body, however, to make sure that there are no diseases, you should visit a doctor.

Body temperature during early pregnancy should be measured every morning at the same time. This is the only way to be sure of the accuracy of the indicators: no external factors have yet affected the body. After eating, physical exertion (even minimal), experiencing various emotions, the basal temperature undergoes changes. Throughout the day, BT is constantly changing under the influence of these factors, so it is pointless to measure it during the day or in the evening.

Causes of deviation from the norm

Doctors diagnose high basal temperature in early pregnancy and in some other cases. The indicator, for example, can increase with an inflammatory process in the female genitourinary system. To verify the onset of pregnancy, it is necessary to track the duration of the delay in menstruation and conduct a test. After confirmation of fertilization, the doctor advises the girl to periodically monitor BT in order to eliminate them in time if there are pathological processes.

High basal temperature in pregnant women sometimes indicates the presence of inflammation in the organs of the reproductive system. Sometimes BBT rises during an ectopic pregnancy: despite the abnormal location of the egg, it develops, causing increased production of progesterone by the body. Signs of abnormalities at elevated temperature are pain with localization in the lower part of the peritoneum and brownish vaginal discharge.

A possible cause of increased BBT in early pregnancy is a hormone imbalance that is associated with estrogen secretion. Deficiency of this hormone in the female body can lead to abortion and infertility. A lower basal temperature (below 36.9 °C) with its subsequent increase also indicates possible pathologies. A low BBT may indicate inflammation of the uterine endometrium.

How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy

In the early stages and after BT, the sutra is measured before getting out of bed, when the female body is in the minimum activity mode. In this case, the thermometer is immersed 2 cm inside the anus or vagina and held there for 3-5 minutes. Procedure rules:

• one thermometer cannot be inserted into different holes to avoid infection of the perineum;
• it is better to use a mercury thermometer, since electronic devices do not show accurate results;
• measurement should be taken at about the same time every day;
• carry out the procedure while lying on your back or stomach (before that, it is forbidden to get up, as blood flow to the peritoneum and small pelvis increases);
• it is allowed to measure basal temperature in early pregnancy after at least five hours of sleep;
• during the control of BT, one should not have sexual intimacy (the period between the act and the time when the temperature can be determined should be at least 12 hours);
• it is forbidden to take any drugs;
• do not have breakfast before measuring BBT;
• the procedure can be carried out only in a healthy state (even a mild runny nose can affect the value of the thermometer);
• the minimum duration of BT tracking is 3-4 cycles (a shorter period does not allow the doctor to draw conclusions about the patient's health).

BT Record Table Compilation Guide

The basal temperature during early pregnancy helps to timely track the changes taking place in the body. For convenience, women create a special schedule where they enter data on BT. At the same time, the date of temperature measurement, the day of the monthly cycle, the thermometer readings and notes are indicated. The last column may contain factors that could affect BT (intestinal disorders, stress, poor sleep, etc.).

How to make a table for recording BT:

• draw two axes (X and Y) on a piece of paper in a cell, while the first one will indicate the day of the cycle, and the second - the BT indicator;
• plot the measurement data and connect the points to form a curved line;
• draw an overlapping line over the six BBT values ​​in the initial phase of the menstrual cycle preceding ovulation (the first five days of the cycle and days with a controversial BBT indicator are not taken into account);
• on the compiled temperature curve, two days after ovulation, draw the corresponding line, highlighting it in a different color.

How to decipher the basal temperature chart during pregnancy

The BT scheme conditionally divides the cycle into 2 parts. The first phase is the part of the schedule before the ovulation mark, the second phase is after it and lasts longer. How long can it last? According to doctors, the best option is 2 weeks, but a period of 12 to 16 days is also considered the norm. The duration of the menstrual cycle in different representatives of the weaker sex varies and depends on the duration of the initial phase.

If, in the case of regular measurement of BBT indicators during the first trimester of pregnancy and longer, you notice that the duration of the second phase is less than 10 days, there is a good reason to see a doctor. In addition, it is worth taking into account the difference in the average temperature values ​​during both phases. The basal temperature in early pregnancy should normally differ in the first and second parts of the menstrual cycle by no more than 0.4 ° C. A different difference indicates the presence of a hormonal imbalance.

Video: what should be the rectal temperature during pregnancy

Basal body temperature (BT)- the lowest temperature reached after a long rest. This indicator is recommended to be measured by all women planning a pregnancy, since it is a method for calculating favorable days for trying to conceive a baby.

Basal temperature during pregnancy helps to monitor the course of the childbearing period. Its changes can indirectly judge complications - ectopic implantation of an embryo or a miscarriage that has begun. Also, the basal temperature helps to diagnose the onset of pregnancy before the delay.

Basal temperature before pregnancy

The average duration of the menstrual cycle is 28 days. Approximately 12-14 days from the beginning of the last menstruation, ovulation occurs - the release of the female germ cell from the ovary. From this moment, within 3 days, conception becomes possible. With a shorter cycle, it can be observed on days 8-12. With a long cycle, the exit of the germ cell occurs on the 16-18th day, sometimes even later. Some women experience 2 or more ovulations between two periods.

To determine ovulation, you can use or special tests. However, the first method may have low reliability, since in all women the days favorable for fertilization correspond to different days of the cycle. Using an ovulation test is quite accurate, but quite expensive.

BBT measurement is a free and effective way to calculate ovulation. From the beginning of the cycle, the indicator is 36.5-36.8 degrees. BT depends on the activity of progesterone - the more it is in the blood, the higher the rate. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the amount of the hormone is minimal. The low temperature supports the process of maturation of the female germ cell in the ovary.

A day before the release of the female germ cell from the ovary, BT can drop sharply by several tenths of a degree, the next day it rises to 37.1-37.3. With ovulation, a new organ appears - the corpus luteum, which synthesizes progesterone. It is the increase in the amount of the hormone that raises BT to the named values.

By calculating BBT, a woman can prevent pregnancy. However, this method of protection is not highly effective, since spermatozoa retain their fertilizing capacity for 7 days after intercourse. For reliable protection against unwanted pregnancy, the calculation of BT should be combined with other methods of protection.

How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy?

Basal temperature before delay

Measurement of basal temperature to determine pregnancy is one of the methods for calculating the onset of conception. However, its reliability depends entirely on how correctly the procedure was carried out. If all conditions are met, the measurement of basal temperature will report pregnancy before the delay of menstruation.

In the absence of pregnancy, the corpus luteum synthesizes progesterone for 7-10 days, then it dies off, and the amount of the hormone gradually decreases. Therefore, some time after ovulation, the basal temperature becomes several tenths of a degree lower, amounting to about 36.9-37.0 degrees Celsius. After the onset of menstrual bleeding, these numbers again take values ​​of about 36.7 degrees Celsius.

If pregnancy has occurred, the corpus luteum does not die, but continues to synthesize progesterone, which supports gestation. BT in this case does not fall, and sometimes even becomes higher by one tenth of a degree, amounting to 37.1-37.4.

By measuring BT, one can judge the success of IVF. During in vitro fertilization, a woman is stimulated by progesterone, which increases the values ​​\u200b\u200bof the indicator above 37.1 degrees. With a successful course of the procedure, BT will be in the range characteristic of physiological pregnancy.

The basal temperature in early pregnancy is 37.1-37.4 and can serve as a method for determining the onset of conception and monitoring the process of bearing a child.

Basal body temperature after delay

The onset of the delay corresponds to the 5th week of pregnancy. When the expectant mother does not have an hCG test at hand, she can use the method for determining BT. If its figures are 37.1-37.4 degrees, with a high probability one should judge the onset of conception. When BBT is less than 37.0-36.9, pregnancy is unlikely.

Progesterone, which is responsible for maintaining BT, continues to be actively synthesized by the corpus luteum in the 1st trimester. Therefore, its normal values ​​​​up to 11-12 weeks of gestational age exceed 37.0 degrees.

As the second trimester begins, the corpus luteum begins to gradually decrease in size and produces less progesterone. That is why BT, which is 36.8-36.9 degrees at 16-18 weeks of gestation, is a variant of the norm. From the middle of the 2nd trimester, the corpus luteum does not function, which reduces the amount of the hormone, so the measurement of the indicator has no predictive value from the 20th week.

Table of BT values ​​in the absence of pregnancy

cycle day

day 7 - ovulation

Ovulation - 3 days after ovulation

4th day after ovulation - 2-4 days before menstruation

2-4 days before menstruation - 1 day of a new menstrual cycle

Table of BT values ​​during pregnancy

cycle day

7th day - ovulation

fertilization day

Fertilization day - 4th day after fertilization

Implantation (7th day after conception)

8-10 days after conception

11 days after conception - the end of the 1st trimester of pregnancy

End of first trimester - middle of second trimester

Mid-second trimester - childbirth

Rules for measuring basal temperature

Basal temperature in pregnant women can serve as a reliable sign of its normal course only if it is measured correctly. Failure to comply with the rules described below may cause inconsistencies with real numbers and unreasonable worries for the expectant mother. For the correct measurement of basal temperature, you should:

• spend it after waking up, without making movements in bed;
• measurements should be taken at about the same time every day;
• the duration of sleep before measurement should be more than 6 hours;
• the thermometer must be inserted into the anus by 20 millimeters;
• the duration of the measurement must be at least 4 minutes.

The slightest physical activity, sexual intercourse at night before the measurement can cause an increase in blood circulation in the small pelvis, due to which the thermometer will show overestimated values. Also some drugs and infectious diseases provoke an increase in basal temperature. In the evening, there is a physiological rise in the indicator, so even after a long day's sleep, the figures obtained will not correspond to reality.

To track ovulation and monitor the course of pregnancy, a woman can keep a graph of basal temperature. The expectant mother should take a large piece of paper lined in a cage and draw two lines perpendicular to each other.

On the vertical line of the future mother, it is proposed to mark the temperature with an interval of one tenth of a degree, starting from 36.0 and ending with 38.0. Horizontally, a woman needs to arrange the days of the menstrual cycle, starting from the very first.

Next, the woman should note the daily measurements of basal temperature, putting a dot at the intersection of the day of the menstrual cycle and the value obtained. Then the expectant mother needs to connect the dots, thanks to which she will receive a line graph. For a more thorough control of the woman it is recommended to sign the symptoms that could provoke an increase in basal temperature- stress, infectious disease, diarrhea, sexual intercourse, etc.

When pregnancy occurs, an implantation drop can be observed on the chart on the 21st day of the cycle (with a menstrual cycle length of 28 days). From 21 to 24 days there will be a slight rise. From the 25th day of the menstrual cycle, the basal temperature will take on a linear form, slight fluctuations of one to two tenths of a degree are possible.

Reasons for a decrease or increase

1. Endometritis.

With this disease, before menstruation, there is a slight drop in basal temperature, as it should be normal. However, on the 3rd-4th day of the cycle, the indicator is more than 37.0 degrees (normally, it should decrease by about 36.5 degrees).

2. Inflammatory process.

Most often, a strong increase in basal temperature above 37.4 degrees indicates an infection. Inflammation can occur in any organ, however, pathologies of the reproductive system (, chlamydia, etc.) have the greatest impact on the indicator.

3. Ectopic pregnancy.

Not always this pathology can be detected by measuring basal temperature. But sometimes, due to the addition of the inflammatory process, there is a rise in the indicator above 37.4 degrees. Up to this point, the basal temperature is normal, since the corpus luteum produces progesterone as in normal pregnancy.

4. The threat of interruption.

Pregnancy with a low basal body temperature of less than 37.0 degrees may indicate progesterone deficiency. With poor functioning of the corpus luteum, there is a constant threat. This condition is often accompanied by pulling or cramping pains in the lower abdomen and lower back, sometimes bleeding is added to them.

5. Frozen pregnancy.

Due to the presence of chromosomal abnormalities or the action of other adverse factors, the embryo may die and not leave the uterine cavity. The basal temperature during a missed pregnancy will be below 37.0-36.9 degrees, since the corpus luteum stops synthesizing progesterone. Usually, intrauterine death is accompanied by other symptoms: a sharp disappearance of toxicosis, a decrease in the mammary glands.

With the help of measuring basal temperature, you can plan favorable days before conception, find out about pregnancy before a delay and control the course of the first trimester. However, this method is not 100% reliable, since there are many factors that affect the correctness of the results.

For the reliability of the results of BT the expectant mother must strictly follow all the rules of measurement. She should remember that even a banal cold or increased physical activity on the eve of calculations can provoke incorrect indicators. Also, the use of low-quality thermometers leads to unreliable results.

The basal temperature in a particular expectant mother may not fit into the above-mentioned norms. In this case, a woman should observe the dynamics of changes in indicators. If during ovulation the basal temperature did not reach 36.5 degrees, it is likely that after conception it will not exceed 37.0. Such results are rare, but they do not indicate complications.

All women are advised to monitor the basal temperature to detect its sharp jump in one direction or another. Any violations in the basal temperature chart do not always indicate the development of pathology. But with a sharp drop or increase in the indicators of the expectant mother, it is recommended to consult a doctor for additional research. Sometimes regular measurements of basal temperature help to diagnose complications such as an ectopic or miscarriage in time.

Every woman has probably heard such a term as "basal temperature". What it is, everyone has their own concept, but most will say that this is an indicator that is needed to track ovulation when planning a pregnancy. In general terms, yes, but this topic needs to be more fully disclosed so that there are no white spots left in it. We will start with the definition, touch on the technique of measurement and plotting. In addition, I would like to consider how the basal temperature changes during pregnancy.

Basic knowledge

We will start from the very beginning, that is, with the definition of "basal temperature". What it is, now it will become clear. This is the temperature that is measured rectally. There are two points here that are important to consider. To obtain accurate and reliable information, measurements must be performed strictly at the same time and after a long rest. That is, the optimal time is considered to be at 6 o'clock in the morning, when you just woke up.

What are these indicators for? For hormonal analysis. Moreover, all changes due to biological factors and causes occur only locally, so putting a thermometer under the arm is pointless. There is one more thing to consider: if a person is overheated or sick, the basal temperature also changes. It is needless to add that this may cause data distortion.

It needs to be known

Why will you conduct research? By itself, performing a single measurement does not give anything. But the totality of data for several months allows you to get a fairly bright and clear picture. Another important point. By taking measurements, women achieve exactly one thing, they can clearly see how their menstrual cycle goes, when the egg matures and ovulation occurs.

But if you take hormonal contraceptives, then this technique stops working for the simple reason that the cycle is regulated by the hormones taken, and not at all by your own. Moreover, their action is aimed at ensuring that the eggs do not mature. Therefore, no matter how long you build charts, the basal temperature will always be the same. That this is completely uninformative, you have already guessed yourself.

Learning to measure temperature

Once again remembering the basic rules, you must complete the entire procedure early in the morning, without getting out of bed even for a thermometer. That is, we set an alarm clock within reach and, as soon as we open our eyes, we measure. Only in this case, the indicators can be considered informative. Once again, we emphasize that the body must be at rest. Do not stretch or sit up in bed, nor should you throw back the covers. Just bend your legs slightly and insert the tip of the thermometer into the anus. You need to lie still for about 5 minutes.

After that, lay it out on a pre-prepared napkin and you can safely fill up or get up. Basal temperature during the day is not measured for the simple reason that physical activity makes the indicators completely uninformative. Even if you build a graph based on the results of many months of measurements, you will not be able to see anything from it. So we digress a little. The result obtained must be immediately entered in a notebook, but it is better to immediately transfer it to a simple graph, where one axis is the date, and the second is BT.

Measurements during the day

Sometimes, wanting to get the most reliable data, a woman begins to take measurements every two hours. This not only does not add information content, but also confuses. It turns out a huge array of data, which is more difficult to process, since the indicators contradict each other. Depending on physical activity, emotional state, food intake and other environmental factors, the numbers will change constantly. It is almost impossible to find the optimal time for measurement during the day.

Plotting

Most often, women begin to take measurements in order to track ovulation and not guard the onset of pregnancy. The basal temperature during early pregnancy really changes a lot. As we said above, you cannot say anything until you have accumulated information for several months. Only then will you be able to visually assess the cyclicity and determine which of the peaks accounts for ovulation. Based on the results, you can calculate the days of ovulation and determine the period of greatest fertility.

First of all, this information is important for couples who are planning a child. This method is also used by those who want to avoid unwanted pregnancy. However, doctors recommend in this case to additionally use other methods of contraception. The basal temperature during pregnancy in the early stages rises sharply, after which it stays at about 37.2 for some time.

Technical subtleties

So let's get down to practice. You will need a checkered notebook, a pen and a thermometer, preferably digital, not mercury, so as not to be afraid to accidentally break it when you wake up. Prepare the coordinate axes in advance. The number of the day of the cycle is plotted on the horizontal axis. There are some nuances here. The countdown must be carried out from the first day of menstruation. Taking it as a starting point, you will create the most accurate graph. On one axis, you will be posting your measurements daily. It is important to maintain an accuracy of up to 0.1 degrees.

What allows you to see the graph

Basal temperature readings should be recorded daily. Miss just one day, and reliable information will no longer work. In a couple of months it will be necessary to reliably determine:

Graph fluctuations are normal

It is important to be able not only to build, but also to read the chart correctly. To do this, it is not at all necessary to have a medical education, it is enough to carefully familiarize yourself with this material. Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that we are talking about the indicators of a healthy woman, any disease can distort information.

From the first day of the cycle, BBT goes down. From an indicator of 37.2, it reaches 36.5. You can easily see these fluctuations on your monthly chart. Around the middle of the cycle, the egg matures and leaves. It is at this time that the temperature slowly rises to 37.1-37.3 degrees for 3-4 days. It is this long, smooth rise that you will see on the vertical axis.

After that comes the most stable period, the line goes at the same level throughout the second half of the cycle. The indicators remain at the level of 37.2-37.4. The next changes are expected 2-3 days before the start of menstruation. Now you fix the indicators that were at the beginning of the cycle (36.9). The basal temperature during early pregnancy remains stably high, this characteristic decrease is not observed.

Waiting for a miracle

Let's once again dwell on how to determine that you are really expecting a baby. Recall that we are talking about those periods when only the most sensitive tests can correctly diagnose conception. Basal temperature at an early stage, when life is just beginning to emerge in you, noticeably changes its character. Indicators that should have been declining will remain at the same level as throughout the second half of the cycle. The temperature will remain at 37.2 throughout the entire period of the expected menstruation.

Pathological basal temperature

However, it also happens that you can take completely different indicators for a successful conception. That is why we say that even the best schedule cannot replace competent specialist advice. The average BT should be kept at 37.2 degrees. In some cases, it is permissible to increase it to the level of 38. However, this is already the upper limit of the norm. If BBT has reached such indicators or risen above, you should immediately consult a doctor.

A high basal temperature before menstruation can not only talk about conception, but also suggest the presence of various kinds of inflammatory diseases. But it's not worth diagnosing yourself. Better see a doctor. Be aware of the possibility that you may simply be measuring incorrectly, resulting in unreliable results.

How to measure the temperature during pregnancy

Even after the interesting position of the woman has been confirmed, the doctor may recommend that you continue to conduct your observations. Sometimes this is done because, based on the examination, the gynecologist can only assume the presence of pregnancy, and additional data are required to confirm the diagnosis.

Basal temperature in the early stages is very indicative. Analyzing the table, you can see the following patterns:

• The increase in indicators lasts at least 3 days longer than on standard charts. This is the time when a high temperature persists for several days after ovulation.
• If, by reading the graph, you see that the corpus luteum phase lasts more than 18 days.
• In the standard, two-phase chart, you see the third peak.

From the point of view of diagnosing BT, the first 2 weeks of pregnancy are reliable. After that, the hormonal background changes. Therefore, the basal temperature after the first delay will not give much to the patient herself. However, if the doctor asks to continue monitoring, he should be listened to.

Development of events

These are already quite reliable signs of pregnancy. You will soon notice more obvious symptoms that are familiar to every woman. What basal temperature should be in the first trimester? To answer this question, you need to delve a little into physiology.

The prepared reader is well aware of the reasons for the increase in BT. Hormones are to blame for this, which are designed to prepare the walls of the uterus and fix the fertilized egg. When pregnancy occurs, hormones continue to be produced in large quantities, so the first three months the graph will show an almost flat line, at the level of 37.1-37.3. After about 20 weeks of pregnancy, it begins to decline.

Possible reasons for the decrease in BT

Low indicators are considered if their value is below 37 degrees. This may mean that there are complications during pregnancy. Therefore, in this case, you need to take measurements the next day, and if the indicators are low again, then consult a doctor. In addition, it is recommended to take additional measurements during the day and compare them with the morning readings.

If doctors diagnose a low level of progesterone, then the woman is hospitalized for preservation. Sometimes a decrease in BBT indicates the fading of the fetus. In this case, the corpus luteum ceases to perform its functions. However, it is impossible to make a diagnosis only on the basis of the schedule, since sometimes, even in the presence of a frozen pregnancy, the temperature remains high. This once again emphasizes the fact that any data must be analyzed by a specialist, checking them with the results of an examination and laboratory tests.

Instead of a conclusion

If you want to get to know your body better and understand the processes that take place in it, then we advise every woman to start measuring BBT. Only 4-5 months of regular measurements will give you the richest material on the basis of which you can plan a future pregnancy or avoid it more effectively.