BBT Tracking for Fertility

What is BBT?

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is your body's temperature at complete rest. It rises slightly (about 0.2-0.5°C or 0.4-1°F) after ovulation due to progesterone.

By tracking BBT, you can:

• Confirm that ovulation occurred
• Identify patterns in your cycle
• Estimate future ovulation timing

What You Need

A BBT Thermometer

Use a thermometer that:

• Reads to 0.01°C or 0.1°F (two decimal places)
• Is labeled as a "basal" or "fertility" thermometer
• Gives consistent readings

Regular fever thermometers aren't precise enough.

Consistent Routine

BBT requires consistency:

• Same time each morning (within 30 minutes)
• After at least 3 hours of sleep
• Before getting out of bed or any activity

Reading Your Chart

Lova creates a chart showing your temps over time:

• Follicular phase: Temps are lower (before ovulation)
• Temperature shift: Rise of 0.2°C+ that stays elevated
• Luteal phase: Temps stay higher until next period

The Coverline

Lova calculates a coverline - a horizontal line on your chart:

• Drawn based on your pre-ovulation temps
• The temperature shift should rise above this line
• 3 consecutive temps above coverline = ovulation confirmed

Factors That Affect BBT

Note when these occur - they can cause false readings:

• Illness or fever
• Alcohol the night before
• Poor or disrupted sleep
• Taking temperature at different time
• Travel or jet lag
• Using electric blanket

Interpreting Patterns

Normal Pattern

Lower temps → clear shift → sustained higher temps → drop before period → repeat

No Clear Shift

Possible causes:

• Anovulatory cycle (no ovulation)
• Inconsistent timing
• Not enough data yet

Sustained High Temps

If temps stay elevated past expected period:

• May indicate pregnancy
• Consider taking a pregnancy test

Combining with Other Signs

For best fertility awareness, combine BBT with:

• Cervical mucus observations
• Ovulation tests (OPKs)
• Cervical position (optional)

This gives you prediction (mucus, OPKs) and confirmation (BBT).