Temp charting

[sprarah]

So for next month I want to use OPK's and chart temps to get a better idea of when I am ovulating.......so now I need a ton of info to get this right......first about the OPK's......I have noticed they are expensive anyone know the cheapest but most reliable ones to use. Next question is when in my cycle should I start using them???

Ok now for temp charting first can I use a regular thermometer like I use for my kids? And I know your supposed to do it first thing in the morning around the same time but the problem is I work midnights any suggestions for when and how to do it when sometimes I sleep during the day???? How off would it be if I took it after waking up late in the day if I work......then still take it in the mornings when I slept all night and didnt work.......see my dilema here lol

All of your help is appreciated..

[smjmekg]

I never got a positive on an OPK even the day I ovulated. I use a regular thermometer for my temps, the BBT temp just shows to the .00 degree instead of .0 like a regular thermometer. If you google BBT it will tell you that you need to sleep at least 3 hours before taking your temp, you have to do it before you sit up or move much, moving can make your temp go up. Put the thermometer somewhere you can get to it easily, I have mine on my headboard someone on here said they keep theirs under their pillow. I don't think it will matter that much if you sleep at night or during the day. It will take you a few days to get an average temp. You can check my chart out on my profile, I haven't really charted this cycle and I missed a few days last cycle, it's hard to wake up at the same time and to get in the habit of temping, but you can see when I ovulated, before and after...

[30something13]

Goodness all I can say is that you should take it after 4 hours of sleep, so that is your night and sleep. Take it with a basal thermometer only they have then at Rite Aide and Walmart for like $8-$9. The OPK's I buy are the kind you dip and they are like 20 for $18-$19 at Walmart or Rite Aide. It is not worth buying th emroe expensive kinds. ALso the first month or two you will use more till you learn when you O then you start lik a day or so before that till you get a + then stop!!! You should start checking OPK's like cd 11 on a 28 day cycle. You have to temp before talking or rollingover etc... and you have to take OPK's at least 4 hours after you get up and with waiting to frink or pee for at last 2 hours. It will e positive when the test line is WAY darker then the control line. As you start to O your test line will get darker each day so just becasue ther is color does nto mean it is +. I would advise you to go to fertility friend and take the free email course and you can look at ahrts and learn them. It is the best way of understanding your cycles. It will taek you a few months to get the hang of it. Now with the temping it will be hard to know when you have a rise and dip with those sleeping patterns but I would still do it anyway. Your body will be at its resting temp after you sleep no matter what time of day it is. There will be some variations but you will have your own pattern.