Ok, what about the thermometer itself?

The thermometer itself is a straight forward and easy to use. We offering a Fahrenheit basal digital thermometer. This thermometer can be used under the armpit, orally or rectally (most accurate way of testing when useing as a basal thermometer). It is self correcting and reads your temperature in under 2 minutes and automatically beeps when you can read the temperature. It comes complete with button cell type battery and we can provide replacement batteries, if required. The battery life is usually 2 years but less if used every day. The unit should be switched off once the reading is taken but will switch off automatically after 10 minutes if no button is pressed. The thermometer is fully CE approved as are all the items we sell.

What is ovulation and the process of conception?
As the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words so we have included a short video (don’t forget to turn the sound up) which we feel gives an excellent short description of ovulation, including the whole process of conception (fertilisation and implantation) from the release of the egg from the ovary right up to the implantation of the fertilised egg at which point pregnancy has occurred, HCG is produced and the embryo starts to grow. If you have problems viewing the video or have a slow internet connection wait until the video is fully buffered before playing the entire video – i.e press pause once the video starts loading and wait until loading is complete before pressing play.

Ovulation to Conception

How exactly do you measure a menstrual cycle?
Very simply a menstrual cycle defined as starting on the day of first bleed to the start of your next bleed. So CD12 would be Cycle Day 12 of your cycle and would be 12 days after you first started your period.

What do you mean by a Fertilityplan chart?
Basically if you are trying for a baby then you need to do a few very simple things to try and ensure you get pregnant as soon as possible. The Fertilityplan chart just really summarises what you notice about your body during your cycle and when these changes are charted and combined with other help such as ovulation tests and temperature changes you can more easily pinpoint when you are ovulating. We provide a chart you can print out and use for free – see below.

Why should I keep a Fertilityplan chart?
There is only a very small window within each cycle when your body releases an egg. This window, which may last only 36 hours, is the only time you can get pregnant during that cycle so knowing how to pinpoint the timing when the egg is released can be very important.

How does a basal digital thermometer help?
Basically there is a slight temperature drop just before ovulation occurs and then a distinct temperature rise of about 0.40 to 1.0 degrees Fahrenheit after ovulation takes place. By plotting your temperature change during your cycle you will know when you have ovulated.

But don’t I need to know before I ovulate not after?
Yes, that is why we recommend that this digital basal thermometer is used in conjunction with ovulation tests. Additionally the completion of the Fertilityplan chart will also help identify ovulation timing by noting bodily changes too.

When should I take my temperature?
You should take your temperature, orally under the tongue, every morning before you do anything else – even before you get up!!  Just the act of getting up increases body temperature so keep the thermometer right by the bed. You should then write down the temperature recorded. The temperature rise (spike) takes place shortly after ovulation and will stay slightly elevated until you start your next period.

What other bodily changes should I look for to know when I am about to ovulate?
The consistency of cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Usually after you finish your bleed you will have 3/4 days when you have dry days. The wetness then increases daily usually lasting about 9 days at which point the mucus will become plentiful, slippery, clear and stretchy. The best comparison is that it is like egg whites and at this point it is a good sign that ovulation will occur in the next couple of days. After ovulation occurs the mucus will again become more sticky less stretchy and then dryer again.

How do I get this Fertilityplan chart and what does it look like?
Very simply we will email one to you free of charge when you purchase a digital thermometer from us. You can then use it on your computer or simply print it out and use it every month. When completed it will look something like this for a typical month:-

The Chart can be used for either thermometer type.

The Black line indicates the normal basal body temperature for a woman before getting up – about 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit below normal body temperature during the day. The dots represent the daily recorded temperature and you just connect the dots each day with a line to join them. Other information is added such as the results of the ovulation tests, condition of your cervical mucus and days when intercourse took place, etc.

To download the instructions for use please click here.

To download your copy of the Fertility Chart. Please click here.