Independent interpretation of basal temperature charts. Basal temperature chart: significant indicators for cycle control, conception and pregnancy

Even 15 years ago, the measurement of BBT was considered one of the main diagnostic methods for assessing women's reproductive health. After all, the basal temperature of a non-pregnant woman is fundamentally different from the BT of a girl "in position". A "healthy" temperature graph is not at all the same as that of a girl with problems "in the female part."

Now this method has given way to other, more modern and accurate diagnostic methods. Gynecologists prefer to prescribe ultrasound and hormone tests to patients. However, the BT method can still tell a lot both to the girl herself and to her doctor.

unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child over a long period of time;
suspicion of hormonal imbalance and changes in the menstrual cycle;
probable infertility of one of the partners;
calculation using the schedule of the most favorable days for conception, when ovulation occurs (the release of an egg ready for fertilization from a mature follicle);
control over the processes occurring in the body of a woman;
diagnosis of anovulatory cycles.

BT is measured in the morning, after a good night's rest (when healthy sleep lasted at least 6-7 hours), in a state of complete rest and without getting out of bed. As a rule, the most accurate results can be obtained by measuring the basal temperature with a conventional mercury thermometer in the rectal passage, but experts also do not deny the information content of measurements obtained by measuring indicators in the oral cavity or vagina.

Based on the results of which a special schedule is drawn up. A competent assessment of the basal temperature chart can only be given by a qualified specialist. However, the girl herself can understand a lot.

Cycle phases on the chart

The normal monthly cycle of a woman who is not pregnant consists of two main periods: the follicular and luteal phases. In the first phase of the cycle, which begins with the onset of menstruation, estrogen hormones are actively synthesized in the woman's body, which positively affect the maturation of the egg and the proliferation of the endothelium of the uterus. This period is characterized by consistently low BBT values on the charts, therefore it is called hypothermic.

Approximately in the middle of the monthly cycle, the egg matures in the follicle. Her exit from the ovary or ovulation is accompanied by a change in the hormonal background of a woman, after which progesterone, the main hormone of pregnancy, normally begins to be produced. This biologically active substance, affecting the centers of thermoregulation in the brain, provokes an increase in temperature indicators by about 0.4-0.6 degrees. If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels begin to decline, menstruation begins, and the body again enters the follicular phase of the cycle.

Temperature norm

The basal temperature in the absence of pregnancy has its own characteristics, which are clearly visible on correctly drawn up charts of the period without conception. The norm is when in the first phase the temperature ranges from 36.3 to 36.6, and in the second it rises by about 0.4-0.6 and is already 36.9-37.1 degrees and above.

So, what should be the basal temperature in non-pregnant women? The non-pregnant basal temperature chart is characterized by the following features:

decrease in BT with the onset of menstruation to the level of 36.3-36.5;
stable level of basal temperature throughout the follicular phase;
rise in BBT indicators about two weeks before the expected menstruation;
the presence of ovulation retraction or a decrease in the level of basal temperature by 0.1 before the release of the sexual gamete from the ovary;
increase in indicators during ovulation to 36.9-37.1;
the temperature difference between the two phases should not exceed 0.4-0.5;
a decrease in the temperature level to 36.7-36.8 one or two days before the onset of menstruation.

Naturally, the graph of basal temperature in the absence of pregnancy differs in many ways from the curves obtained as a result of measuring BBT in women who are already carrying a baby.

The main feature of the graphs without pregnancy is a decrease in the temperature level in the last few days of the cycle, that is, a decrease in progesterone activity. In addition, the basal temperature, if there is no pregnancy (unlike the indicators of women who are expecting a baby), has a two-level view, sinking in the middle of the cycle and a gradual rise in the temperature curve in its second period.

Deviations from the norm

Every woman normally has monthly cycles about twice a year without the release of a mature egg, which are called anovulatory. On such charts, the line is constantly at the same level, without sinking and sharp rises. Anovulatory cycles are characterized by the following features:

the absence of a drop in basal temperature in the middle of the cycle on the charts. The situation when is a confirmation of the absence of ovulation;
in the second phase, no increase in temperature is recorded, since a pregnancy that synthesizes progesterone is not formed.

Graphs of basal temperature will allow you to suspect some diseases of the female genital area. Temperature jumps above 37.0 in the first phase of the cycle indicate the development of an inflammatory process in the ovaries or uterus. And with a lack of hormones, its relative increase in the first period of the cycle and a decrease in the second will be recorded.

However, it is important to remember that any deviations from the norm on the chart are just an excuse to contact a specialist. In itself, temperature measurement is only an auxiliary, and not the main method of diagnosis. Perhaps your fears are completely unfounded. Much more reliable are laboratory tests, ultrasound and other studies that your doctor will prescribe.

Ovulation is a process that takes place in the body of a healthy woman, which is associated with the release of an egg into the fallopian tube for further fertilization. Knowing when you ovulate can help you plan your pregnancy or prevent unwanted conception. There are several methods for determining it, but the most accessible and simple is the measurement of basal body temperature.

What is it?

Basal body temperature (BBT) is an indicator that is measured in a state of complete rest, in the anus, immediately after waking up in the morning. It is a reflection of the hormonal background of a woman and allows you to identify problems in the work of the sex glands. However, more often BTT is used to determine the days favorable for conception.

Many gynecologists advise women to keep their own basal temperature chart. Especially for those who are planning to replenish the family. The schedule of basal temperature during ovulation has its own characteristics. It allows you to calculate the most suitable day for getting pregnant. The basal temperature directly depends on the hormonal processes in the woman's body.

and its phases

Created for procreation, therefore, all the processes occurring in it are aimed at ensuring conception and preparing the body for pregnancy and childbirth. The menstrual cycle has three consecutive phases: follicular, ovulatory and luteal.

The first phase begins with menstrual bleeding, then the formation of a follicle in the ovary and the formation of a new endometrium. Its duration can suggest a graph of basal temperature. Its normal duration is 1-3 weeks. In this phase, the follicle-stimulating hormone and estrogen play a role. It ends with the maturation of the follicle.

The second phase is ovulation itself. The walls of the follicle rupture, and the egg passes through the fallopian tube towards the sperm. The phase lasts about 2 days. If fertilization occurs, then the embryo attaches to the endometrium, if not, the egg dies. On a normal day, ovulation is at its lowest level for the entire cycle.

In the third phase, the production of progesterone begins. It is produced by the corpus luteum, which formed at the site of the ruptured follicle. The basal temperature after ovulation changes upwards - by 0.4-0.6 ° C. During this period, the female body prepares for bearing and preserving the fetus. If conception does not occur, then the concentration of female sex hormones decreases, and the circle closes, the follicular phase begins. Its duration is normal for all women is about 2 weeks.

Why do temperature fluctuations occur?

The measurement of basal temperature during ovulation as a method characterizing hormonal changes in a woman's body was proposed in 1953 by the scientist Marshall. And now approved by WHO as an official method for detecting fertility. Its basis is a regular change in the concentration of progesterone in the blood. This hormone affects the thermoregulatory center in the brain, which causes a local increase in temperature in the organs and tissues of the small pelvis. That is why a sharp increase in temperature in the anal region occurs in the luteal phase.

Thus, ovulation divides the menstrual cycle into two parts: in the first, the average temperature is approximately 36.6-36.8 ° C. Then it drops by 0.2-0.3 ° C for 2 days, and then rises to 37-37.3 degrees and stays at this level almost until the end of the cycle. A normal basal temperature chart during ovulation is called biphasic.

Measuring your BBT can help you pinpoint a fertile day with high accuracy. According to statistics, it is known that the highest probability of getting pregnant will fall on the day before and after the temperature rise - 30% each. 2 days before the jump - 21%, 2 days after - 15%. Pregnancy can occur with a 2% chance if fertilization occurs 3 or 4 days before the temperature rises.

What is this method used for?

If you constantly draw up a graph of basal temperature, the norm and pathology begin to be traced literally after 2-3 cycles. The resulting curves can answer many questions. Therefore, gynecologists strongly recommend this method to solve the following problems:

Determination of a favorable day for conception.
Early diagnosis of pregnancy.
As a method of contraception.
Identification of malfunctions in the work of the sex glands.

Basically, basal temperature is measured to calculate the day the ovulatory phase of the cycle begins. This is the easiest and cheapest way. It is very easy to determine ovulation by basal temperature if you take measurements regularly and follow all the rules.

Correct measurement is the key to the effectiveness of the method

In order for the results of the method to be true, it is necessary to follow all the instructions when measuring BBT, because it is very important that the basal temperature chart during ovulation includes only accurate and reliable data. There is a set of basic rules:

Temperature measurement is carried out daily at the same time (optimally - 7.00-7.30) in the rectum.
You must sleep for at least 3 hours before the procedure.
If a woman needed to get out of bed before the measurement time, then the readings should be taken before taking a vertical position.
The thermometer must first be prepared and placed near the bed. Shake it off before bed.
You can measure the temperature only in a horizontal position, lying motionless on your side.
During the cycle, you can not change the thermometer.
It is better to enter readings in the graph immediately after the measurement.

For measurements, both a digital and a mercury thermometer are suitable. But an infrared thermometer is absolutely not intended for this method, since it has a high probability of an error in the results. Since the basal temperature before ovulation and on the day it starts differ by only 0.2-0.3 ° C, such a thermometer may not show this difference. An electronic thermometer gives large errors if you do not follow the instructions for its use. The most accurate readings can be obtained using a mercury thermometer, but it requires special care when handling.

When the received indicators may be incorrect

It must be remembered that the basal temperature during ovulation, the norm of which is individual for each woman, can fluctuate depending on the influence of various factors. Often, external influences on the body lead to the fact that BBT indicators are highly distorted and have no informative value. These factors include:

Flights, transfers, business trips.
Stress.
Excessive intake of alcohol.
Taking psychotropic and hormonal drugs.
Inflammatory processes in the body, fever.
Increased physical activity.
Short sleep.
Failure to follow measurement instructions.
Sexual intercourse a few hours before the measurement.

If something from the above list happened, then you should not trust the measurements. And the day on which there was a violation can be ignored in the construction of the schedule.

How to plot a basal temperature chart

To build a graph of basal temperature, it is necessary to take measurements every day and make notes in a specially designated notebook. The graph is the intersection of two lines at a right angle. The vertical axis contains data on temperature, for example, from 35.7 to 37.3 ° C, and on the horizontal axis are the days of the menstrual cycle. Each cell corresponds to 0.1 °C and 1 day. After making the measurement, you need to find the day of the cycle on the graph, mentally draw a line up and put a dot in front of the desired temperature. At the end of the cycle, all points of the graph are connected, the resulting curve is an objective display of hormonal changes in the female body.

In the chart, you should indicate the current date and build a column for special notes. In order for the data to be sufficiently complete, you can describe your state of health, the symptoms that appear, or situations that could be reflected in a change in basal temperature.

If it is not very clear to a woman how to draw up a schedule of basal temperature, then a gynecologist from the antenatal clinic will definitely explain how to do this, and also help to decipher the data obtained.

Now there are many programs with which you can create an electronic schedule that will always be at hand. In this case, the woman just needs to enter the temperature. The program will do the rest.

Chart decoding

In this method of determining fertility, it is important not only to build, but also to decipher the basal temperature graphs. The norm for each woman is individual. However, there is an approximate view of the graph, which should be obtained if the gonads are working properly. To analyze the resulting curve, you need to build the following elements: overlapping line, ovulation line, duration of the second phase.

The overlapping (middle) line is built over 6 points of the follicular cycle without taking into account the first 5 days and days when the indicators deviated greatly due to external factors. This element has no meaning. But it is necessary for clarity.

The basal body temperature decreases on the day of ovulation, so in order to determine the day for a successful conception, you need to find successive points that are under the overlapping line. In this case, the temperature values of 2 out of 3 points should differ by at least 0.1 °C from the midline, and at least 1 of them should have a difference of 0.2 °C with it. The next day after that, you can observe a jump of the point up by 0.3-0.4 degrees. In this place, you need to draw an ovulation line. If there are difficulties with this method, then you can use the "finger" rule to plot. To do this, it is necessary to exclude all points that differ by 0.2 degrees from the previous or subsequent indicator. And based on the resulting schedule, build an ovulation line.

The basal temperature after ovulation in the anus should be kept above 37 ° C for 2 weeks. Deviations in the duration of the second phase or a small jump in temperature indicate ovarian dysfunction or low productivity of the corpus luteum. If 2 cycles in a row the duration of the second phase does not exceed 10 days, then it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, since this is the main sign of progesterone deficiency of the luteal phase.

The basal temperature chart during ovulation should also correspond to the norm for such a parameter as the temperature difference between the follicular and luteal phases. This indicator should be equal to more than 0.4 ° C.

What does the schedule look like in the presence of ovulation and pathologies

The normal ovulatory schedule consists of two phases. In the first one, an average temperature of 36.5-36.8 °C can be observed for 1-3 weeks, then a drop by 0.2-0.3 °C and a sharp rise to 37 °C and above. In this case, the second part of the schedule should be no shorter than 12-16 days, and before the onset of bleeding, there is a slight decrease in temperature. Graphically it looks like this:

You should also give examples of basal temperature charts in which pathology is traced. The curve in this case will differ from the norm in various ways. If there is, then the temperature jump will be no more than 0.2-0.3 ° C. This condition is fraught with infertility, therefore, it requires an appeal to specialists.

If the second phase on the graph is shorter than 10 days, then this is a clear sign of progesterone deficiency. Usually, there is no decrease in temperature before the onset of menstrual bleeding. In this case, pregnancy is possible, but under the threat of interruption.

If there is a lack of estrogen in a woman's body, then the schedule will be chaotic, strikingly different from the norm. It may also be due to the influence of external factors (flights, excessive alcohol intake, inflammation, etc.).

When the curve does not have sharp jumps in temperature and is a monotonous graph, then this is called This happens in healthy women, but not more than 1-2 times a year. If this is repeated from cycle to cycle, then this may be a sign of infertility.

If, after the second phase, there is no decrease in temperature, then most likely the woman is pregnant.

Deciphering the basal temperature charts, examples of which are presented above, require specialist knowledge. Therefore, you should not independently draw conclusions, diagnose yourself and prescribe treatment.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

The advantages of the method are its absolute availability, simplicity and complete absence of costs. When the basal temperature chart during ovulation is maintained by a woman regularly, this makes it possible to determine the days of ovulation, recognize early pregnancy in time or detect hormonal abnormalities and consult a gynecologist.

However, there are also downsides to the method. This method is not very accurate due to the individual characteristics of each organism. Here are its main disadvantages:

It does not make it possible to predict when the ovulatory phase will come.
Does not give accurate information about when ovulation occurred.
It does not guarantee, even in the presence of a normal two-phase schedule, that ovulation really took place.
Cannot give specific information about the quantitative content of progesterone in the blood.
Does not provide data on the normal functioning of the corpus luteum.

In order to know exactly how informative the method is, it is necessary in the first couple of cycles to take blood tests for female hormones and do an ultrasound scan. If the data of the graph and research coincide, then the woman can easily keep a graph of basal temperature. The norm and deviations displayed on the curve, in this case, will correspond to reality.

This method is convenient, simple and does not require financial costs. If you follow all the rules exactly and know how to decipher the basal temperature chart, then finding out the day of ovulation and planning conception is very easy. However, if there are any deviations from the norm, it is worth contacting a specialist to prevent the development of pathological processes.

Basal body temperature is the body temperature at rest., after at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep. This is the most indicative temperature, since it is not affected by external factors, physical activity, emotional state. Most often, basal temperature measurement and plotting is resorted to when using a “natural” method of contraception and during pregnancy itself in order to check whether the fetus is developing correctly. If your doctor recommends that you measure your basal temperature, this should not be neglected.

Let's start with the method itself. It was developed 60 years ago, and since then it has been successfully used for the safe preliminary diagnosis of various disorders in the functioning of the female reproductive system.

Basal temperature is measured in the morning, immediately after waking up, at the same time.
The spread in time of measurements should not exceed one and a half hours, otherwise the graph will be uninformative.
The measurement should be made without getting out of bed, after at least three hours of sleep, with the same thermometer, it can be a mercury thermometer, but usually electric ones are more accurate.
It is necessary to bring down the temperature on the thermometer, if you use mercury, in the evening.
The thermometer should be placed next to the bed before going to bed so that you do not have to get up or reach for it, affecting the basal temperature with physical activity.
The measurement is taken in the same place, it can be the rectum, mouth or vagina. The first method is considered the best, since the temperature of the rectum is less subject to fluctuations as a result of external influences.
The measurement results are accurately recorded in a table, where it is also necessary to make notes about everything that can change the basal temperature: the day of the menstrual cycle, the presence and nature of the discharge, if any, illness, trip, sex the day before, drinking alcohol before bedtime and other factors.
Then a graph is built, the beginning and end of which coincide with the menstrual cycle. Further, the schedule can be evaluated, and if it is atypical, you should consult a doctor.

The basal temperature graph shows how the hormonal system of the body works, whether all the processes associated with the release of sex hormones are proceeding correctly.

If the basal temperature, on the contrary, jumped a lot, this may indicate the development of inflammatory processes, both general and local.

In addition, some doctors call a strongly elevated basal temperature in the early stages one of the signs of an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, attention should be paid to the appearance of acute pain in the lower abdomen. Also, a high temperature, if it lasts for a long time, can harm the development of the fetus, so this fact cannot be ignored, although an elevated temperature is considered less dangerous than a low one.

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In any case, if the basal temperature is atypical for you, you should consult a doctor, he can more accurately determine the cause.

In order to monitor the normal course of pregnancy by measuring basal temperature, you need to know what your normal menstrual cycle looks like in your case without pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to check the basal temperature once or twice and build a graph. It is very useful as a means of early diagnosis of various problems in the reproductive system, and will help to plan the onset of pregnancy.

It usually looks something like this.

Although the numerical expressions and some features may vary, the general trends persist in any normal graph.

The total length of the menstrual cycle is from 21 to 35 days, including the days of menstruation. The cycle is divided into two phases: hypothermic (follicular) and hyperthermic (luteal), which occurs after ovulation. The temperature curve is constructed as follows. In the first days of the cycle, menstrual bleeding occurs, normally it lasts from 3 to 6 days, at which time the basal temperature drops from 37 to 36.2-36.5 degrees, and stays at this level for the entire first half of the cycle. After bleeding, the development and maturation of the follicle occurs, from which the egg, ready for fertilization, subsequently emerges.

Approximately on the 14th day of the cycle, ovulation occurs, after the beginning of which the second phase of the cycle is considered. At this time, the egg enters the fallopian tubes, where it remains viable for about 24 hours. The temperature rises by 0.2-0.4 degrees. And before ovulation, as a rule, it stays at the same level.

Further, the temperature continues to rise or stays around 37 degrees, this is due to the fact that the body is preparing for a possible pregnancy. If it does not occur, on about the 26th day of the cycle, the temperature begins to drop to the initial level, and the menstrual cycle repeats.

The average temperature difference between the first and second phases of the cycle should exceed 0.4 degrees, if the difference in several cycles in a row is lower, it makes sense to worry, this may mean a lack of hormones.

It should be said about the most common violations that can be seen on the basal temperature chart

These do not include the absence of ovulation for 1-2 cycles per year, this is considered the norm. In this case, there is no temperature drop, the curve is flatter. But if anovulatory cycles last constantly, you should consult a doctor.
If the basal temperature in the first phase is increased to 36.5-36.8, this may be a sign of a lack of estrogen, which may be an obstacle to pregnancy. If the temperature rises in the first phase for several days, after which it returns to a normal level, inflammation of the appendages can be suspected, it is difficult to determine ovulation from such graphs, since there is a false rise in temperature due to inflammation. If it is excluded, the rest of the schedule will be normal.
A sign of inflammation of the uterine mucosa will be the presence in the graph of a drop in temperature before the onset of menstrual bleeding, as normal, but then its increase to 37 degrees with the onset of menstrual bleeding.
A low temperature in the second phase may be a sign of a lack of a corpus luteum, in which case little progesterone is produced, and for the onset of pregnancy it will have to be compensated with special medications

If you notice significant deviations in the schedule, you should contact your gynecologist. Various causes of deviations, diseases and disorders in the production of hormones can prevent pregnancy. A basal temperature chart can help your doctor more accurately and quickly diagnose and prescribe treatment that will bring the joyful and expected pregnancy event closer.

By correctly reading the basal temperature chart during pregnancy, even before the delay in menstruation, the expectant mother can track its onset. You also need to know what factors can distort the result, so as not to take them for deviations in the development of pregnancy.

Characteristic indicators at different stages of the cycle

Basal temperature, as one of the methods for determining a day favorable for conception, is currently widely used, although the measurement does not give a 100% guarantee and has a sufficient number of shortcomings. When planning a pregnancy, you need to start preparing in advance and, for comparison, take readings of at least 3-4 cycles, building a curve connecting daily temperature points.

Before talking about building a digital axis, let's figure out what normal values should be displayed on it:

End of the menstrual cycle

At the end of menstrual bleeding in the first period of the cyclic process, the thermometer shows approximately 36.2-36.5 ° C. It is at such marks on the thermometer that the maturation of the egg occurs with the participation of estrogen, which controls this process.

Temperature before and after ovulation

On the eve of ovulation, there is a slight decrease in temperature by a few tenths of a degree, and then an increase to 37 ° C and above. This indicates the release of the cell and its movement to meet the sperm in the fallopian tube.

An example of a basal temperature chart during pregnancy before a delay

After the fusion of germ cells, the graph of basal temperature during pregnancy before the delay (photo examples confirm this), stably shows slight fluctuations between 37 and 37.5 ° C throughout the pregnancy.

If fertilization has not occurred, a few days before menstruation, a gradual decrease in temperature begins and from the first critical day it becomes 36.8 ° C and lower.

Diagnosis of pregnancy according to the schedule

Elevated temperature marks on the curve are the first indirect sign of an accomplished conception, then it will be confirmed by nausea, pain in the mammary glands, mood changes, taste preferences, etc., and the final line will be put by two identical strips on the test.

Graph of basal temperature during pregnancy before delay - 36.9 ° C

The very moment of fertilization passes unnoticed for the woman, but the implantation of the embryo to the endometrium can be fixed. In this case, the graph of basal temperature during pregnancy before the delay is 36.9 ° C or slightly less on days 5-7 after ovulation. Approximately such a period of time is necessary for the fetal egg to reach the uterus and begin to penetrate into its wall.

At this point, slight pulling pains in the lower abdomen may be felt, and there may be slight bloody discharge from the vagina, as a symptom of fetal attachment. The decrease will be visible for only a day, and then the curve will return to the values that were before the sinking and will no longer deviate.

Signs that distort indicators

We examined the normal course of pregnancy in the early stages and its inherent adequate values. But sometimes the schedule of basal temperature during pregnancy before the delay, examples have deviations, both upward and downward temperature values. They are caused by certain reasons related to the influence of internal and external factors on the woman's body.

When the shift in indicators happens once, it can be attributed to errors in temperature measurement that occurred due to a completely understandable reason:

Insomnia;
Short-term sleep, less than 6 hours;
Cold;
Sexual intercourse 3-4 hours before measurement;
Excessive physical activity the day before;
Stress.

Dangerous sinking in the basal temperature chart during pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy

If an increase of 37.5-38 ° C is observed and lasts for several days, an inflammatory process in the female reproductive system can be suspected. It can be an infectious disease, and possibly an ectopic pregnancy. Attachment of the fetal egg in the wrong place can cause a peculiar reaction with temperature jumps up and down and the curve turns out to be somewhat wrong with atypical sinking.

Missed pregnancy or miscarriage

Decreasing rates below 36.9°C with confidence in conception is also a cause for concern. In this case, a frozen pregnancy or a threatened miscarriage is suspected. This state of temperature values \u200b\u200bis explained by a decrease in the level of progesterone, which occurs due to the death of the fetus. It is no longer necessary to support the development of the embryo, the corpus luteum gradually reduces its production, the hormone content in the blood drops. He is no longer able to maintain elevated basal temperature numbers, and it drops.

If a threatened miscarriage is suspected, the temperature will be below 36.9 ° C on the chart during pregnancy until the delay.

Chart of basal temperature during pregnancy before delay (video)

In this video, an obstetrician-gynecologist talks about how to correctly measure basal temperature during pregnancy before a delay.

To make sure that you are drawing up your basal temperature schedule during pregnancy before a delay, video materials and examples of girls on the forums will help get rid of doubts about the sequence of actions and deal with temperature values.

Conclusion

When compiling the temperature curve, one should not forget that for each organism only its inherent values \u200b\u200bare characteristic, therefore it is not the numbers themselves that are important, but rather the difference between the first and second phases of the cycle, which should be at least 0.4 ° C.

Realizing that there is a new life in her, a woman seeks to learn as much as possible about her situation. This is especially important for those who are anxious for any reason. Basal temperature in the early stages of pregnancy will help to monitor the process daily, to identify dangerous signs, so that the expectant mother can get help in a timely manner if necessary.

Read in this article

Why measure BBT

Basal temperature is another indicator of gynecological health. Due to the natural difference in its values at each stage of the cycle, women are planning a pregnancy. Daily measurements and scheduling make it possible to find out the day of ovulation. Before menstruation, the value of BT reaches 36.7-36.9 degrees. By the time of egg maturation, it increases to 37-37.1. If conception did not occur, after ovulation, its values decrease again. If there was no ovulation at all, then the temperature will be approximately the same throughout the entire cycle.

Basal temperature 37 is a sign of pregnancy, which appears, perhaps, earlier than others. Delayed menstruation, morning sickness and other symptoms will announce it later. In the meantime, keeping BT at this level for 2 weeks will let the woman know that she is now responsible for another life, and it's time to start providing suitable conditions for her development. And although this is not an indisputable sign of pregnancy, it can be a reason for a test, leaving bad habits that interfere with it, and establishing a normal regimen.

The norm of basal temperature after conception

A fertilized egg needs special conditions to attach to the wall. The body creates them with the help of the hormone progesterone, which begins to be produced in an increased amount compared to the previous one. With its help, the uterus prepares to accept the fetal egg, then allow the membranes, the placenta, to develop. For this reason, the basal temperature during early pregnancy also goes up, but up to certain limits.

Usually its value varies in different women from 37 to 37.3 degrees. Keeping within these limits means that the process goes without unpleasant surprises, as it should. What basal temperature in early pregnancy may depend on the characteristics of a particular organism. It is normally able to deviate from the average values, reaching 38 degrees. But to make sure that this is not evidence of any danger, it is better to visit a specialist.

Daily fluctuations in BT

Measurement of bt in early pregnancy should be carried out at the same hours in the morning. Such indicators can be trusted, since the body has rested, and no external factors have yet been able to influence it. Physical activity inherent in wakefulness, eating, emotions, even wearing clothes inevitably change its meanings. Usually, the basal temperature in early pregnancy rises above 37.3 degrees during the day, but there is no danger hidden in this. At this time, its values can change every hour under the influence of the factors already mentioned.

By the end of the day, the body “digests” everything accumulated during the day, but is already preparing for rest. However, taking measurements at this time of day is just as pointless. The indicator will still be high, and it is impossible to understand whether this is caused by natural causes or health problems. Basal temperature in early pregnancy in the evening is usually about 1 degree above normal. An informative measurement at this time will be if the woman slept for at least 5 hours during the day. But it is unlikely that anyone will observe such a strange regime for all 12 weeks of the initial stage.

When and how to measure BBT

Bt during early pregnancy is measured in the morning before getting up, when the biological activity of the body is minimal. The thermometer is placed in the vagina or rectum for 2 cm and held for 3-5 minutes. During this time, the device will sense and display the actual temperature values.

Each measurement must repeat the previous one. That is, it is impossible to insert a thermometer into the vagina today, and tomorrow into the anus. And it is necessary to carry out manipulations at the same time, you can be late and rush only for an hour. The thermometer should always be the same as before.

Basal temperature is important in early pregnancy in accurate measurement. This is real if:

Do the procedure only in a horizontal position, without turning on your side, without getting up. Sitting in bed, the woman increases the flow of blood to the pelvis. The thermometer in this case will show high values \u200b\u200bthat do not correspond to reality;
Take measurements after at least 5 hours of sleep, only in this way the readings will be correct;
Do not have sex during the entire period of BT control. Sexual activity stimulates its increase. Or at least make sure that the interval between the measurement and the act is at least half a day;
Do not take medication. Most of them will distort the picture, and the indicator may be significantly higher or lower than normal values. But the basal temperature is controlled in the early stages of pregnancy due to the likely threat to the condition. In this case, there may be no danger, and the number on the thermometer will show what is;
Have breakfast after measurement. Food also affects the value of the indicator;
Do not be sick. Even a slight runny nose can change the value of BT.

Why you need a schedule

A BBT schedule during early pregnancy is necessary if a woman seriously decides to track this indicator. As the fetus develops, various changes occur in the mother's body, mainly related to hormones. It is not surprising that the basal temperature in the early stages of pregnancy is also unstable, the graph will prove this. It usually looks like this:

On the day of fertilization of the egg, the value balances between 36.4 and 36.7 degrees;
For the next 3-4 days, it rises by 0.1 degrees daily and reaches 37;
For another 2-3 days, the value of the basal temperature remains the same;
On the day of implantation of the ovum into the uterine mucosa, it decreases to 36.5-36.6 degrees;
The next 2-3 days, the values of the indicator gradually go up, reaching 36.8-37 degrees;
For about 2 weeks, the numbers on the thermometer can range from 36.7 to 37.1. But the values should not be lower than those observed on the day of ovulation.

The schedule of basal temperature during pregnancy in the early stages should include not only the numbers of the indicator and the days of the cycle, but also the accompanying circumstances. BBT values can be affected by illness, medication, stress. The attending physician should learn about each of them in order to have a complete picture of the development of pregnancy.

When the basal temperature deviates from the norm

It is worth saying that an increase in basal temperature and keeping it at certain values is not at all an absolute sign of pregnancy. Sometimes it can mean something completely different. But if a woman is convinced by a test that conception has occurred, it is not always necessary for her to control this indicator. Usually, the doctor insists on measuring BBT for problems with gestation in the past in order to catch them at an early stage. So more opportunities to neutralize negative factors.

Why is the basal temperature too high

An excessive increase in basal temperature is due to the inflammatory process occurring in the body. In most cases, it is associated with the reproductive sphere, but not always.

Another reason for too high BBT may be an ectopic pregnancy. The fetal egg, despite the abnormal localization, develops, which means that progesterone is produced in the usual amount for pregnancy. At the same time, there is an inflammatory process in the body that can increase both body temperature and BBT.

A woman needs to listen to the sensations in the lower abdomen and monitor the discharge. If brown instead of transparent ones come out, an ultrasound of the fallopian tubes and the abdominal cavity should be done.

Possible threat of interruption

A decrease in basal temperature in early pregnancy occurs with the threat of its interruption. The main reason for this in most cases is the lack of progesterone. The hormone provides the creation of conditions for the development of the fetal egg: loosening the upper layer of the inner lining of the uterus, fixing the embryo in it.

Thanks to him, the basal temperature also rises in the early stages of pregnancy, 37 is its average value for the first 2 weeks after conception. A lower indicator is a reason to take measures to prevent the rejection of the ovum, which may begin soon. If, in addition, a woman feels pain in her abdomen, notices blood-colored discharge, she needs help immediately.

Frozen pregnancy

Low basal temperature in early pregnancy can also be a sign of fetal fading. This means that the embryo has stopped developing. Why this happens, we can only speculate. But you need to know about such a situation, since the fetus does not always come out on its own. It is necessary to remove it, and the sooner the safer for the woman. For a short period, this is done using the vacuum method, and after recovering, after a while, you can plan a pregnancy again.

Stopping the development of the embryo is accompanied not only by a decrease in BT, but also by other symptoms, the main of which is the disappearance of other signs of its existence. In a woman, the increase in the mammary glands also stops. In this case, the level of progesterone also falls, because the corpus luteum no longer needs to produce it.

Is there a low BBT during normal pregnancy

The norm of basal temperature in the early stages of pregnancy is rather arbitrary. It is not at all necessary that the body will demonstrate its values as in a textbook. Its individual characteristics may turn out to be such that with a normally developing pregnancy, the indicator will not reach the average for all 12 weeks, when it makes sense to measure it. And low bt during pregnancy in the early stages will not interfere with bearing and giving birth to a healthy child.

The indicator must be monitored and compared over time. If at other times its values \u200b\u200bare also not the same as the norm, you should not take this as a threat to pregnancy. For example, with BT during ovulation less than 36.4, the indicator in the first 2 weeks may not reach the milestone of 37 degrees.

Measurement of basal temperature is useful for the first 3 months, when its values are informative. Beyond that, they don't matter. But in the first trimester, you should not overestimate them. Basal body temperature only takes on meaning in the context of other signs. Therefore, for any discrepancies with the average figures, you should not worry, but it is better to go to the antenatal clinic to make sure that everything is in order.

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