Charting temperature... why the discrepancies?

[roke]

So I have been charting my temperatures for the past 26 days and after my period stopped my temperature went down and has stayed down for a long time.  It finally went up yesterday... so hopefully that is good news....

Anyways, my temperature varies depending on where I put the thermometer.  I have been putting it under my tongue on the left side of my mouth everyday... But the last few days I did both, and got a different reading both times.  It seems if I put it under my tongue on the right side I get a higher number....  Anybody have any tips/suggestions when it comes to taking temperatures on a digital thermometer??

[Atia_Julii]

I read you are supposed to take your temperature in the same place every day as well.  So, if you have been taking it on the left side under your tongue, you should stick with that.  As Latrice said, it's all about consistency!  And even if you do take it in the same place and same time every day, you will still see variation, because our temps constantly vary.  But you will begin seeing a pattern.

[roke]

thanks latrice, I have been taking my temperatures at a specific time, and the thermometer is on my night stand.  However when I take my temperature on the left side of my mouth first it reads somewhere around 35.9 (celcius) and on my right side (right after the left) it is 36.7 (celcius)....  I just don't know why...

[Latrice414]

The key word to taking your temperature is CONSISTENCY. You have to do it the same way every day, everytime and you need to have at least 4-5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Its called a BBT because the temp is suppose to be taking while the body is at a resting state, once you awaken and start moving about, your temp goes up. Even taking your temp an hour later or 30 min later can give you a different reading, so if you cant be consistent your temps will be all over the place.  I take my temp everyday at 5:30am, and my thermomerter is under my pillow(you should not be getting out of bed to go get it, it should be within a reaching distance.)  During AF and after AF your temp should be low and what i like to call is your normal body temp(for example, mine is like 97.3-97.5) once you have ovulated, your temp will go up, and it should stay up until AF comes, as you get closer to AF you will notice your temp to start takiing a decrease, indicating AF is near, some people temp dont go down until 1 day after AF(diff for each woman)

[roke]

Ok thanks!  I'll keep looking for info..

[Mumita]

Roke I'd love to help you but I honestly don't know much about charting BBT.  But one suggestion, on the Fertility forum there is a health page about ovulation FAQ's, they may answer your question.  
I think that if your temperature spikes it means that you are ovulating or starting to, so start Bd'ing tonight!  The difference may be that you may have a major artery on your right side under your tongue giving you higher temps, but your temps should be rising on either side.  
Anyway have fun bd'ing.

[roke]

anybody?