What is basal temperature during pregnancy, and how can its indicators help us. So. what is basal body temperature? Basal temperature (medical abbreviation "BT") is the temperature of your own body, which is measured, yes, yes, do not be surprised, in the rectum. Changes in the indicators of this temperature in healthy “female” women directly depend on the well-known female sex hormone progesterone, its secretion, as well as the amount of this hormone.

What will the measurement of basal temperature give us and how to measure it correctly ??? In fact, indicators of "internal" temperature can tell us about many processes occurring in the female body.

What do these indicators tell us:

Basal temperature

1. Basal temperature will help determine the onset of pregnancy in the early stages. Don't be surprised, as strange as it sounds, but it's true. Reading various articles on the Internet, about the first signs of pregnancy, they wrote in absolutely everyone “an increase in basal temperature.” I was always wondering how the temperature “behind” can determine whether I am pregnant or not! Absurd, I thought. But no. I somehow started this topic with my gynecologist, who at that time was leading my pregnancy, explained it to me. She explained to me that during the formation of the embryo in the uterus, the temperature rises there, and especially along the back wall of the uterus, which is close to the rectum. Accordingly, an increased basal temperature indicates the onset of pregnancy. I advise you to read the article on how to choose a high chair for feeding babies.
2. This item will help those who are just at the planning stage of their pregnancy. An increased basal temperature also signals the onset of favorable days for conception. A more well-known medical term is ovulation. I think everyone knows what ovulation is, so we will not delve into medical concepts.
3. Also, basal temperature will help those who practice unprotected intercourse. By the way, oddly enough, this is one of the most popular methods of modern contraception. The so-called calendar method. These indicators are the opposite of the previous paragraph, that is, we calculate safe days. Safe days are 10 days before your period and 10 days after. So if you are practicing the calendar method of contraception, then arm yourself with a thermometer and go!

How to measure your basal body temperature correctly:

Measurements should be taken immediately after waking up. NOT getting out of bed. I would advise you to use the most common mercury thermometer, and not these modern fancy electronic ones. The result will be more reliable, I know from my own experience. As I said, the thermometer is inserted into the rectum, that is, rectally. You can pre-lubricate the tip of the thermometer with cream or petroleum jelly, for your own convenience.

Do not forget that the temperature must be measured daily NOT missing otherwise the results will be distorted. So we measure every day, not filon, 3-4 of your cycles in a row, if just to find out if you are pregnant or not, then a couple of days. It is advisable to get some kind of notebook and draw up a schedule for the phases of your cycle. Ideally, your schedule should consist of a clear separation of the 2 phases of your cycle.

That is, the first half of the cycle is approximately 12-14 days, the temperature can fluctuate from 36.3 to 36.8 degrees Celsius, then a sharp jump in temperature to 37 degrees and above will follow. This jump is not much like the same ovulation, that is, in medical words, the release of a formed egg from the ovarian cavity. Further, the elevated temperature, as we said, 37 or more does not subside until the very onset of menstruation or no onset if you are pregnant. Well, then it subsides again and everything starts in a circle, in other words, a new egg is formed.

If you do not have this very race, then most likely you may have problems with ovulation, I advise you to contact a competent specialist with this problem. There are also some nuances that can affect basal temperature and ovulation in general. For example:

• disease
• stress
• climate change
• taking any medications
• bad dream
• sexual intercourse before measurement

In such situations, it is better not to rely on the data of your measurements, since the menstrual cycle reacts sharply to changes in the usual pace of life, and the possibility of an error increases or, as an option, an unplanned pregnancy. Therefore, be extremely careful and add all the “details” of your life to your schedule.

calendar method

I think now it's time to delve into the topic of the calendar method and tell in more detail how it still works and whether it is effective at all. So, in order to calculate the so-called “safe” days for sex without contraceptive protection, as well as the “ideal” days for conceiving your future baby, you need to measure the basal temperature for 4-5 cycles, that is, somewhere around 3-4 months regularly (depending on on the length of your menstrual cycle)

Now I will try to paint you how to calculate these days correctly. We start by calculating ovulation (by the way, in our time, tests for its determination are sold, they are sold in any pharmacy, they are not expensive, but they will significantly facilitate the calculation process). Further, from the moment it starts, we count 3-4 days - this is the average the duration of the viability of male spermatozoa. Now let's count the moment of the release of the egg 1-2 more days in advance - this is the viability of the female egg.

Now in numbers:

Let's say for 5 cycles the egg had the earliest release on the 16th day of your cycle (16-4=12), but the latest, for example, exit on the 20th (20+4=24). This means that the highest probability of getting pregnant is from the 12th to the 24th, and all other days are safe in principle (but do not forget that no one gives a 100% guarantee). Your measurements will ultimately help you either get pregnant or use the data as a method of preventing you from getting pregnant.

Again, 100% protection is only a complete rejection of sex in general). However, dear ladies, do not forget that the accuracy in this method is conditional, since so many factors affect the fluctuations of these indicators, the cycle itself, the accuracy and complexity of drawing up the same schedule, etc. And another correction, this method is effective only for women with a “settle down” and stable menstrual calendar. I hope my article today will help you. And he will answer your questions, if you still have them, you can ask them in the comments under the article, I will answer them with pleasure.