If you are trying to conceive then charting your basal body temperature when waking in the morning will help to give you a good idea as to what is happening in your body throughout the length of your cycle so that you can predict ovulation.
I advise my client’s to chart their menstrual cycle for a period of 3 months and in some cases longer. This information will help to determine the few days when ovulation is likely to take place, and when having sex is essential. On an emotional level this helps to remove some of the stress and anxiety which many couples trying to conceive find themselves under. This will also give you time to implement any nutritional and lifestyle changes to get you in tip top condition for conception.
Temperature charting
Begin by taking your temperature each morning at the same time, before getting out of bed, eating or drinking. This is called the Basal Body Temperature.During the follicular phase of the cycle (from period to ovulation)the basal body temperature is lower. It tends to drop further just prior to ovulation, and then rises again in the second half of the cycle, falling again at menstruation (bleed). The temperature needs to be taken under the tongue using a digital thermometer or a fertility thermometer. If you are seeing me for fertility Reflexology you will receive one in the fertility pack during your consultation meeting.
Ideally you would need to start taking your temperatures on day one of your cycle (which is the first day of your period), but if you have irregular cycles then just start whenever you can and continue to record your temperature throughout your cycles.
Things which can affect temperature
- Illness
- Stress
- Travel (especially by plane)
- Drinking alcohol the night before
- Not getting three consecutive hours sleep
- taking temperature at a different time than usual
Charting your temperature
I would recommend charting using an app on your phone or computer such as Fertility Friend or by using a downloaded fertility plan ovulation calendar www.fertilityfriend.com . In this way you will be able to plot your daily temperature, cervical fluid and any other signs and symptoms.
Although temperature charting will show you when you have ovulated (the temperature spike is caused by progesterone heating the body after the egg has been released), it will not tell you prior to the egg being released.
Therefore if you are trying to conceive, you will need to couple temperature charting together with your cervical fluid. In general terms, fertile cervical mucous is clear, profuse, stretchy and has a raw egg-white constitution.
Fertility Reflexology
Fertility Reflexology can provide a wonderful support for individuals or couples in their fertility journey. Reflexology is extremely relaxing and will help to reduce tension leading to a state of emotional and physical well being. The therapy can be used as a stand alone treatment to support natural conception or it can be used alongside conventional fertility treatments such as IVF.