What is basal temperature and how will it help in planning pregnancy?

Female body

Any woman planning a pregnancy, sooner or later will face the need to measure the basal temperature and build an appropriate schedule. But not everyone who is faced with this problem knows what basal temperature is. In this article, we'll talk more about this.

So, the basal temperature is the temperature that is measured in the mouth, vagina or rectum. When planning pregnancy , this is usually done in a second or third way.

How can this help? The fact is that the menstrual cycle of any woman is divided into three periods - the first, when the egg that is necessary for fertilization ripens (follicular); The second period - the egg moves through the fallopian tubes (ovulatory); In the third phase, either pregnancy occurs, or, if fertilization does not occur, the next monthly (luteal) begins. At each phase, the basal temperature differs, it is highest at the end of the cycle, and lower, respectively, at the beginning.

Temperature in different phases of the cycle

What is the basal temperature, we found out, now we will understand how it will help in planning the conception. Everything is very simple. It is known that the ideal time when fertilization can occur is in the ovulation phase. Therefore, knowing about the peculiarities of basal temperature during this period, we will be able to calculate it and prepare as much as possible for conception. As mentioned above, the follicular phase is characterized by a low temperature, about 36.5 degrees, and the luteal phase is high (it can go up to a whole degree), ovulation occurs with a slight decrease in temperature - perhaps only one tenth of a degree. Having noticed such a jump down, be sure - ovulation has begun. It happens that no jump is observed, then the "moment X" is the day before the temperature rises.

We build the schedule

Now you know the usefulness of basal temperature. The graph, however, will help you to more accurately determine the desired day of conception, so we will learn how to build it. It's still simpler here. On the X-axis, we note the numbers of the month, on the Y-axis, the temperature. Every day (attention In the morning) by measuring the temperature, mark on the graph the point corresponding to the day when the measurement was made and the reading on the thermometer. Then we connect the points and get a broken line. For exact results, repeat the measurements every day for several months.

Although we learned what basal temperature is, and also how it helps the onset of pregnancy, it is worthwhile to understand that her schedule can tell you many more interesting things about your body. For example, you will be able to determine the duration of each phase of your cycle, to understand if you are having ovulation at all (if not, contact your doctor), calculate the coming monthly, find out if your reproductive system is healthy and, of course, determine the onset of your pregnancy Immediately after it happened.

Read the schedule

Pay attention to the deviation in the graph. For example, if you observe a temperature that is unusual for the follicular phase, or if any cycle period lasts less than it should be, then perhaps you do not have enough hormones or your appendages are inflamed, the same reasons can cause prolonged ovulation - more than three days.

Note that the basal temperature during pregnancy (at the beginning) is usually the same as at the ovulation stage. Of course, it is better to keep a schedule under the supervision of a doctor. Be sure to consult a specialist if you are planning a pregnancy. He will not only explain to you what the basal temperature is, but also help in reading its schedule.