Temping help. Does this make sense?

This is my first month temping. I began late.

CD 11 97.03
CD12 97.21
CD13 97.51 (+opk so I was set to O later this day or on CD14- I think CD14)
CD14 97.50
CD15 97.83
CD15 97.70 today (I woke up for a minute but dozed off then woke up 20 minutes later. Does this make a difference?)

I heard you need 3 days of elevated temps to signify O so I probably need tomorrow's temp too.

But if the waking up wouldnt have messed up the temp, does it mean I didnt O b/c it went from 97.83 down to 97.7? Or does elevated temp fluctuate a bit?

I see a gradual rise , but not really a spike. Is 97.5 - 97.83 a spike.

Sorry I'm really clueless with this stuff.

TIA

Re: Temping help. Does this make sense?

The temperatures don't really mean much unless you do it from the beginning of your cycle. That's how you would see a pattern. Starting on Day 11 doesn't really give you a good indication of where your pre-ovulation temps are, so it's hard to say what your post-ovulation temps would look like.

But to answer your question, a "spike" has to be at least half a degree difference, and it has to be maintained for at least 3 days. It's normal for temps to fluctuate a few tenths of a degree every morning.

Plotting the points on a graph really helps. FertilityFriend lets you do it for free. Here's what it looks like when you ovulate:

Re: Temping help. Does this make sense?

The 20 minute nap could definitely make a difference. Your body temp changes as soon as you wake up.

It could be a slow rise; it's not always a .5 degree spike (though that's what happens with most women). Keep an eye on what your temp does over the next few days.

Also, some women have longer LH surges than others. My temp would spike a day or two after a + OPK, but other women wouldn't O until three or more days later.

I agree with Dava, temping from the beginning of your cycle will help you see a pattern. If you need a break, stop temping during AF or the week after you confirm O.

Message edited 8/17/2010 7:24:41 PM.

Re: Temping help. Does this make sense?

Thanks ladies. I actually do have it on FF, but I felt weird posting a link b/c it showed my user name. I have to figure out how to post a pic.

I figured I needed more data.

Re: Temping help. Does this make sense?

You can try adding fake temps to future days in FF. Sometimes when I do that it'll give me the crosshairs. I immediately remove them so I don't get confused.

Re: Temping help. Does this make sense?

UPDATE!!

I put in that last date and FF saif I O'd on DC15 as I thought! Temps still up!

CD 11 97.03
CD12 97.21
CD13 97.51 (+opk so I was set to O later this day or on CD14- I think CD14)
CD14 97.50
CD15 97.83
CD15 97.70 today (I woke up for a minute but dozed off then woke up 20 minutes later. Does this make a difference?)
CD16 97.77
CD17 97.89
CD18 97.72

Message edited 8/19/2010 5:23:45 PM.