So I decided to try charting this month. (Mostly because I've finally got a thermometer that works! And I've decided to stop being lazy. lol) Anyway, I've never charted temps before and I'm just wondering, what do temps *typically* do over the course of the month. I assume they fluctuate a bit, I know there is a temp spike somewhere but can't remember if that is before or after ovulating. Could someone just fill me in on the basics? TIA!

ETA: It's been a long time since I've read TCOYF and my library doesn't have a copy...I'll have to place a hold on one and have it delivered out here.

Should spike the day after ovulation.

This is what I've found (and this link is one of my mini sites that need more of my attention):
http://www.finallybaby.com/what-are-the-signs-ive-ovulated-that-im-in-the-post-ovulatory-phase-of-my-cycle/

Hopefully you're not in the 5%. And hopefully you tend to have a nice big, unmistakable spike.

Since bf'ing can make the cycle a bit off kilter, you could get some wacky charting results with questionable spikes (when you may be delayed you may feel pms-y and I'd recommend having sex again when you think you'd be getting AF). But gradually you'll be able to identify that "fertile feeling" and only be looking to verify ovulation occurred by the temp, cm drying up, etc. Take special notice on how stretchy and watery your cm is before ovulation, how you feel (I have more steamy dreams around then for instance), if you have any other signs that happen around that time (there are some weird ones, very individual).

Thanks Rachel! I really don't know if charting temps is going to do me any good. Both because I'm still bf'ing and because I'm not always able to temp after enough time asleep. Callum is reworking his night feedings right now and so some nights he is up to feed at 3am, some not until 5am. So when I temp upon waking, I don't think it will always be consistent, KWIM?

Right now my temps fit into a .4 degree range. I don't know if that is normal or if that wide of a range is because of temping when I haven't been sleeping long enough. If that makes any sense.

As for watching CM, that is really all I've done in the past when we were TTC, and it's worked well enough on its own to get preggers. :D I just thought I'd try temping to see if it helps any more.

When I temped, they were generally in the 96-97 range as soon as I woke up. There was an unmistakable spike after I O'd and temps rose to the 98-99 range (over a period of 2 days or so).....then dipped drastically just before getting AF. It was a fairly typical cycle. It'll take a couple cycles to sort of get the rhythm of your own cycle.

Yeah, I was BFing and getting up a lot at night and it was *still* very visible shift when I O'd~ Even with my charts being kinda wonky~ :)

Yeah, that uninterrupted sleep bit is WAY overrated. I was charting with a nightwaking breastfeeder and my charts and temps were just fine. Just strive for as much consistency as you can and note if there was a disturbance.

Thanks Cheryl, Jen, and Ruth! I'll just keep charting along as best I can and see what happens! :D