Basal Body Temperature

Basal Body Temperature (or BBT) is the base temperature of our bodies upon wakening (assuming at least 3 hours of sleep). If we measure this temperature using a Basal Body Thermometer (which is just a digital thermometer which measures our temperature to 2 decimal places) every morning as soon as we wake up, and record that temperature, we begin to see how it changes throughout our monthly cycle. On day 1 of our period, the temperature should be around 36.1 to 36.3 degrees Celsius. Our temperature should then remain within this range until the day of ovulation (around day 14), when it tends to dip slightly, before rising on the day after ovulation to between 36.5 and 36.8 degrees Celsius. It should then remain at this level until a day or so before our period starts, when it drops sharply and the whole cycle begins again.

This is how an ideal BBT chart should appear:

Very often however, our charts look very different from this ideal picture, and we have difficulty conceiving as a result.

This deviation from an ideal or ‘normal’ Basal Body Temperature Chart could be due to the following:

Fortunately, an acupuncturist who is experienced in treating fertility, like Katie at Acupuncture Hassocks can read many different diagnoses into a BBT chart, and can treat the patient accordingly. After even the first month of treatment with acupuncture (and possibly herbs), women will start to see improvements not only in their BBT charts, but also within how they feel in themselves, with reduced PMT symptoms and improved periods. They will know that their body is becoming more hormonally balanced.

Once we see the BBT chart has improved sufficiently (usually within 3-6 months), and assuming there are no structural impediments to conception, or unresolved male factor fertility issues, then pregnancy will occur.