Charting is one of the easiest, most inexpensive ways to track the fertile time of your cycle. By charting, you learn when to bd for the sake of ttc, and when bd-ing is just for fun. Charting can also help the detect fertility problems when it may otherwise be too soon to tell if a problem exists. This page gives an explanation of charting, and information on where to find the few things you need to get started.

What is Charting?

Charting is also know as the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). Very simple and all natural, it is a popular choice for couples looking to conceive a baby as well as those wishing to wait on starting a family. Please note, however, that FAM can not be guaranteed as a method of birth control.

Charting your Basal Body Temperature (BBT), which is your waking temperature, you can learn a great deal more about your body than just when you ovulate. Charting your BBT can also indicate possible fertility problems (i.e. anovulation, short LP), give you indications as to when you can begin to presume that you may be pregnant, and let you know when that dreaded AF may be on her way.

What Do You Need to Start Charting?

Charting may be one of the cheapest things you ever do in life. The only things essential to charting are an alarm clock (which you probably already have), a thermometer (preferably a BBT thermometer as they are considered more accurate), and paper. While there are other things that are recommended (we'll get into those items shortly), you only need the three things listed above.

Recommended Items:

BBT Thermometer- BBT thermometers are considered more accurate than a normal thermometer. The thing to be sure of if you do purchase a BBT thermometer is that you don't use it if you suspect illness. BBT thermometers only read to 100 degrees since it is unusual to have a BBT higher than that if you are not ill.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler- This book is considered the "infertility bible". We can give you a quick overview of charting, but this book should really be the source you reference in regards to questions about FAM. To purchase this book conveniently, please visit our Sites and Resources page.

TCOYF Software- There used to be a great program called Lifecycle that would help you chart your cycle and share it with others. Unfortunately, due to FDA regulations, it has been discontinued. However, the makers of Lifecycle have worked with Toni Weschler to develop a new program that meets FDA standards. This is not a necessary tool for charting, it just makes it easier to view your chart and share your info with others to get feedback.
At this time, we haven't had a chance to view the new program, but as soon as we do, we'll let you know our feelings on it!

"How Do I Chart My BBT?"

Charting is one of the easiest things you will ever have to tackle. Do you wake up every morning? Now, can you do it at the same time every morning? Get used to it, because waking up at the same time is essential to accurate charting. At the same time, don't freak out if you wake up a little early or late every once in a while.

The first thing to do is make sure you have everything you need to chart sitting next to your bed. Taking your temperature needs to become the first thing you do when you wake up from now on. That includes getting up to go to the bathroom!

When your alarm goes off, pop the thermometer in your mouth. If you are a habitual snoozer, don't worry. My personal experience has been that I stick the thermometer in my mouth, wait for it to beep, and then doze off. Most digital thermometers have a memory that will hold the reading for a while. Having said that, it does not work as well if you take your temp and go back into a deep sleep. Personal experience is that most digital thermometers aren't THAT good!

When you have the final reading, write it down. I always write my temp down, and then I put them in the computer later. If you don't use a specific Charting program, you can create charts using Microsoft Excel or a similar program.

For a better understanding of reading your charts, visit the TCOYF website or purchase TCOYF. We aren't going to go into all of the details at this point in time because we are not trained professionals, and we do not want to misinform anyone.