Fertility Awareness Method

The Best Basal Body Thermometer For Charting

July 14, 2017 By fertilityawareness 2 Comments

Choosing Your First Basal Body Thermometer

The Best Basal Body Thermometer for Fertility Charting

Image: Unknown

Below, you’ll find a list of the most favored basal body thermometers used for charting with fertility awareness based methods (FABMs). The following list will lay out the positives and negatives of each brand, along with their unique features, so that you are able to choose the best thermometer for your life.

There is no such thing as a “better” or “worse” basal body thermometer. This is a completely personal preference meant to fit your lifestyle.

Remember:

Before practicing any fertility awareness based method (FABM) for natural birth control, it is highly suggested to receive a reproductive health overview by reaching out to a certified FABM instructor in addition to reading the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.

The Best Basal Body Thermometer For Charting

Basal Body Thermometer features to consider

‘Beeping’

Some BBT's have louder 'beeps' than others.

Backlight

Backlights are helpful for those who read their temperature in the dark.

Speed

Some people prefer a quick-timed thermometer, but keep in mind that a fast read does not always mean higher accuracy.

Decimal Place

Some thermometers solely read in Celsius, some in Fahrenheit, and some carry the dual option.

Memory

Memory may be important for people who choose not to record temperatures immediately after temping, and would prefer to fall back asleep before recording on their chart.

The Most Favored Basal Body Thermometers for fertility charting

Mabis

'Beep' - Quiet. Beeps one time while turning on, and 4 times when temperature reading is complete
Backlight - None
Speed - 1 minute
Decimal place - 1/100th of a degree
Memory - Yes, will show most recent temperature reading within 3-5 seconds after turning 'on'
Celsius or Fahrenheit - Fahrenheit

Click Image For Mabis

iProven

'Beep' - Quiet
Backlight - Yes
Speed - 1 minute (or 2 minutes for a more accurate reading)
Decimal place - 1/100th of a degree
Memory - Yes, will show the most recent temperature reading
Celsius or Fahrenheit - Both

Click Image For iProven

iSnow

'Beep' - Medium. Will beep 3 times when temperature reading is complete. *Has an alarm option*
Backlight - Yes
Speed - 3 minutes
Decimal place - Option of 1/10th or 1/100th of a degree
Memory - Yes, up to 60 days
Celsius or Fahrenheit - Both

Click Image For iSnow

Nuvertex

'Beep' - Quiet
Backlight - No
Speed - 2-3 minutes
Decimal place - 1/10th of a degree
Memory - Yes, will show the most recent temperature reading
Celsius or Fahrenheit - Fahrenheit

Click image for Nuvertex

Glass (No Mercury) BBT

'Beep' - None
Backlight - None
Speed - 3-5 minutes
Decimal place - 1/10th of a degree
Memory - None
Celsius or Fahrenheit - Fahrenheit

Click image for Glass BBT

Can I use a fever thermometer?

Yes, as long as your thermometer is not labeled as a 'quick-read'. Also, be sure to only use one thermometer throughout the month to receive the highest effectiveness of charting. Using more than one thermometer will create skewed temperature readings.

Fertility Monitors

A fertility monitor is a computerized basal body thermometer designed with an algorithm that automatically tracks a record of your monthly cycles, while interpreting if you are fertile or not on any given day.

Leave a comment with the BBT that you personally prefer!

fertilityawareness

Hi, my name is Katie! I am a student of the Grace of the Moon teacher training program, and am passionate about collectively transferring the status quo of the menstrual cycle back to a special source of outward creativity and wisdom. My focus is aimed towards taking the first steps into teaching body literacy through fertility awareness.

The Science Behind Using The Fertility Awareness Method

April 20, 2017 By fertilityawareness Leave a Comment

The Fertility Awareness Method is about becoming aware of the fertile and in-fertile phase of each menstrual cycle.

fertility awareness method of birth control

Artist: Drømsjel

How does Fertility Awareness work?

Simply explained, there are two main hormones that switch “on” in the body at separate times of the month; Estrogen for the first half and Progesterone for the second half.

Your basal body temperature (BBT), cervical fluid (CF) and cervix are each affected by these hormones, giving us the signs we need to practice the fertility awareness method.

You can use the method’s 4 rules to decide whether you would like to try to conceive, abstain or use a barrier method to prevent pregnancy, or simply use the observed signs to follow your gynecological health.

You will not receive any negative side effects by practicing the Fertility Awareness Method.

The science

Estrogen gradually releases from the ovaries on cycle day 1 (first day of menstruation), lowering BBT and increasing water content in CF as ovulation approaches.

CF is the deciding factor on whether sperm will be able to make it to the egg for fertilization at the time of ovulation (your most fertile time)!

Once ovulation has occurred, progesterone releases into the body, turning off the estrogen hormone. This hormone switch spikes up BBT and thickens CF until it is not present any longer, lasting an approximate 12-16 days, until menstruation.

If the egg gets fertilized and you become pregnant, BBT will remain high for more than 18 days.

Conception can only occur during the fertile window
Abstinence, or barrier methods like condoms and withdrawal during the fertile window will prevent from unwanted pregnancy
Having unprotected sex during the fertile window will increase chances of becoming pregnant

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

A basal body thermometer measures the temperature under your tongue immediately after waking up in the morning. It should be taken:

Daily, at the same time every morning, +/- one hour
After 3 consecutive hours of deep sleep
Before getting up out of bed to use the bathroom, communicating, any physical contact, etc.

Keep in mind that viral infections that cause fevers will affect basal body temperature readings.

Cervical Fluid (CF)

Cervical fluid is a vaginal secretion, commonly known to society as “discharge.” Next time you use the bathroom, check the gusset of your underwear (where your vulva touches). Usually the consistency will flow in a specific pattern over the course of approximately 14 days, but it varies from human to human!

Regularly check the sensation of your CF at the vulva, throughout each day, to observe an accurate quality and quantity.

How Much Does Fertility Awareness Cost?

A basal body thermometer costs approximately $9 – $30.

The optional, but recommended, book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler costs approximately $20.

What Are The Side Effects?

You will not get any side effects by using the Fertility Awareness Method of birth control.

How Effective Is it?

99.7% Effective with perfect use, .3% Failure rate

76% Effective with typical use, 24% Failure rate

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