Fertility charting is used by many couples to help them naturally conceive a child. It can be that deciding factor that helps them learn when to have intercourse (on cue almost) to have better chances of conceiving. But what is fertility charting? Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
Fertility charting is just as it sounds. You need a chart, a thermometer, and a pencil (or pen). That’s it! The whole method of fertility charting is to take your basal temperature and record it on your chart. Usually once a month there will be a spike in your temperature and over time there will be a pattern of how often it spikes. This is your cue, your red flag. The hard part that most people encounter, this has to be done every morning at the same time each morning.
Your basal temperature is your temperature every morning before you get up and do anything. You should not go to the restroom; you should not eat, drink, or smoke. This has to be your temperature at a specific time in your day, preferably the same time each day.
Another good thing to record on your chart is the consistency of your cervical mucus. When you start your cycle there tends to not be any mucus at all. As it gets closer to ovulation there will be some mucus, as your ovulation hits the mucus will appear stringy and clear similar to egg whites. Note this with your temperature on your chart.
Next cervical position can be noted. This sounds crazy but give it a try for a month. Gently reach one finger into your vagina and see if you can feel your cervix. This should be noted on your chart as “hard to reach” (up high) or “easy to reach” (down low). Try to also determine if it’s soft or hard as well. During your ovulation period your cervix tends to be up higher and a little harder to reach.
Over time you will notice a pattern in your chart. If your temperature spikes about the same time your cervix is up higher and you have stringy cervical mucus then it is safe to say that you are ovulating. This is your open window- take it!
While you are running all this through your head, please begin to think about what you will use to chart it all down on. Will you use an online chart? Print one off? Use a regular daily calendar like a planner? Or will you be part of the “technology generation” and download an app on your smart phone? These are available at your disposal and usually they are free, if you want something a little more “advanced” you may only have to pay $1.99 for the app. If you choose the app look at all options. Some may ask the basal temperature, cervical position, and even discharge consistency; whereas others may just ask for the temperature. If you want in-depth, do your research and get an in-depth app for your use.
Last thing to remember, when you think of important questions that you need to ask your doctor, write them down on your chart; there is nothing worse than getting in an appointment and forgetting what you wanted to ask.
Fertility charting is simple once you get the hang of it, just be patient and try, you will get use to it and before you know it you will be able to plan that ovulation period around it!
