Temping

Can someone explain to me what I need to do when doing this? I am not really ready (or can afford) OPK's so I would like to know how everyone does in laymans terms!
TIA

ETA: I just read the posts down below. Sorry - But now - where do I buy a BBT and what does it look like?

Message edited 12/29/2007 7:47:47 AM.

Re: Temping

The BBTs can be found in the "family planning" section of a CVS or Walgreens or whatever drugstore you use. They look like this:

Re: Temping

I read the book "Taking Charge of your Fertility" and got a BBT from Walmart near the condoms/pregnancy test section. I used fertilityfriend.com to track my cycles.

Re: Temping

keep in mind that temping is used primarily to make sure you have ovulated. OPKs will detect the LH surge that causes your ovaries to release a follicle in the next 12-36 hours, but there is no guarantee that you will O - and you could even O several days after the OPKs detect a surge. your temp rises steadily in the days after AF and before O, and then increases sharply, usually by .4 - .6 degrees right after you O. since the best time to BD is actually before you O, this isn't a good way to tell when you should BD, just if/when you have ovulated. if you are tracking your cycles, this is really just an added benefit, but IMO, it should not be used alone.

if you cannot afford OPKs then i think you should track your CM. when it reaches the consistency of egg whites - or even a teensy bit thicker than that, i would start to BD every day or every other day.

good luck!!

Re: Temping

Posted by headoverheels

keep in mind that temping is used primarily to make sure you have ovulated. OPKs will detect the LH surge that causes your ovaries to release a follicle in the next 12-36 hours, but there is no guarantee that you will O - and you could even O several days after the OPKs detect a surge. your temp rises steadily in the days after AF and before O, and then increases sharply, usually by .4 - .6 degrees right after you O. since the best time to BD is actually before you O, this isn't a good way to tell when you should BD, just if/when you have ovulated. if you are tracking your cycles, this is really just an added benefit, but IMO, it should not be used alone.

if you cannot afford OPKs then i think you should track your CM. when it reaches the consistency of egg whites - or even a teensy bit thicker than that, i would start to BD every day or every other day.

good luck!!