TTC - basal temp and ovulationa

[catherine a.]

I've recently begun charting my basal body temperature. I average 35/36 day cycles.  On this cycle, on day 18, I experienced a .4 increase in temperature, then on day 19, another .2 increase.  I began using an ovulation predictor kit on day 17, 18, 19, and received a negative result.  Is it possible to have a rise in body temperature without ovulating? Does this mean I don't ovulate?  Help!

[machellebrown22]

Yes that can happend. OPK's do not work for everyone. I used them and received a positive everytime. I also have close friends that never recieved a positive. Monitoring your temps and cervical fluid is more accurate.

Machelle'
edd 8-6-04

[catherine a.]

Um, and a sticky question :)  I didn't have clear, egg white mucus. It was cloudy, and kind of gummy on those two days.  Any ideas on why? Thanks for your quick help!!

[machellebrown22]

Did it stretch at all or was it cloudy yet watery?

[SAWHIP]

It is possible to have slight pain during b'dancing when you are ovulating?  It just did not feel right and I have not had that before.  Thanks

[StephW]

Catherine, are you having a regular cycle?  That's main indicator of whether or not you are ovulating.  Also CM is another good sign to have but everyone differs in how the CM looks, feels and consistency.  So you'd have to chk with your doc. about ovulation concerns.  And it is true that OPK's don't work for many people.  Here's some info. I pulled off the internet.  Hope this helps a little!

http://www.indiadiets.com/sex_guide/Sextherapy/overcome_infertility.htm
"Make sure you are ovulating:  Are you having regular periods? If not, you may not ovulate. One key to ovulation is noticeable changes in cervical mucus midway through the cycle. The mucus will be thin, watery and clear. Other signs include premenstrual breast tenderness, cramps, and mittelschmerz-ovulation pain. Another way to test ovulation is with a kit you buy at the drugstore. The kit, which reads levels of ovulation release hormone in your urine, is only about 50% effective when you use it morning and night. Kits available only through your doctor's office tend to be more accurate. The best time to test is between 10:00 A.M and noon.

If you get a positive result the first month you use it, great. If three cycles pass without giving a positive result, it could mean that either the kit isn't sensitive enough for you or you're not ovulating. Either way, consult your doctor.

If you want to be a fertility goddess, try to look like one: Some women can induce ovulation by putting on a few pounds or taking off a few. In general, the closer your actual weight is to the ideal weight, the better. You want to be within 95% of that ideal but below 120%. The researchers have found that body fat can actually produce and store estrogen, a hormone that primes the body for pregnancy. When the total body estrogen is too high or too low, the system can be thrown off balance. The more fat, the more estrogen produced."

[stringerlb]

This may be a stupid question, but how do you check your basil body temp? Just like you would your reg. temp???? Or do you stick the thermometer somewhere else???? Can someone please explain!!!!!

Thanks~Brandy

[StephW]

Yes, you check your temp. just like you would regularly (like for a fever), but you should use a BBT Therometer cuz its more  precise (any pharmacy provides them).  Plus, you need to take your WAKING temp, first thing when you wake up and before doing anything (brushing teeth, using bathroom).  By charting your temp, you can determine when you ovulate.  Your temp rises (.5-1.0 degrees) after ovulation.  So this method is only good to know when you ovulate, cuz by the time your temp rises, its too late to conceive cuz you've already ovulated.  But it is helpful for you in your following cylce to predict an est. ovulation day.

Another great tool is the ovulation calculator that helps predict your most fertile period based on your cylce length. (but its only an estimate) try this site:

http://www.kidsdirect.net/BD/tools/ovulate-calc.htm

[IWantToBeAMom]

I have not been taking my basal temp but I have been monitoring my CM this cycle (since the end of my period).  Calendar-wise I was suppose to ovulate 3 days ago, but I have not noticed any "stretchy" CM.  I noticed that my mucus went from mostly dry to pretty wet, but I never had anything that stuck to my fingers like eggwhites.  What does this mean???