User Guide

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
THERMOMETER GUIDE
BBT: THE FACTS
Tracking your BBT is to confirm ovulation already
happened, NOT to predict it
You are looking for a biphasic thermal shift increase,
which, when combined with a change in cervical mucus,
confirms ovulation just occurred (typically within 1-2 days
preceding shift)*
Once ovulation occurs, your body secretes higher levels of
progesterone, which is heat inducing, and that is why
there’s an increase in BBT**
Check with an FAE or healthcare professional if you do not
see an ↑ in BBT and cannot confirm ovulation
BBT - Your waking, or at full rest, temperature
CRITERIA FOR A GOOD BBT
THERMOMETER
Must not be a quick read thermometer (should take at
least 30 - 60 seconds for the device to take your BBT)
Should measure to the 10th or 100th degree, for
example: 97.5°F or 97.53°F
Expensive ≠ better. Just depends on
preferences.
BBT BEST PRACTICES
Take your BBT first thing in the morning (best to do in bed,
before going pee, starting the coffee, etc.,) around the same
time, w/in half hour in either direction
Take orally
If something occurs that will impact your BBT such as illness,
drinking a couple glasses of wine the night before, sleeping
in, poor sleep, not sleeping 3 consecutive hours prior to
taking your BBT, etc., simply take note of that on your chart
which will help explain temp. outliers
No need to take temp. more than once
Done is better than perfect ! BUT, take precaution if you are
unable to confidently interpret your chart / still learning
Done is better than perfect!
© Veronica Ricksen
The Well School of
Body Literacy
2021
*Less frequently, the thermal shift can take up to 4 days to occur after ovulation, and can shift 1 day before ovulation
**Some females are not sensitive to the heat-inducing effects of progesterone so don't observe a thermal increase