basal body temperature thermometer

[eatswithfork.livejournal.com]

I want to begin charting my BBT. I already own a thermometer - it reads a temperature in 10-15 seconds and measures to the tenth decimal place. My question is, do I really need to get a BBT thermometer or will that do? I'm using it to get better familiar with my cycle so I can begin TTC in a few months, not for birth control so an "oops" is not really a concern. Thanks!

Comments

[spicytoys.livejournal.com]

You do need a BBT. A BBT will be more accurate and will take longer to measure your temperature, which is better.

[devonrexlvr.livejournal.com]

I use a plain ol' thermometer - just like what you have that reads in about 10 sec. I spent money on 2 BBTs one said reading in 90 sec but it actually took like 3 minutes! The other was a soft tip, which I thought would be more comfortable but it wasn't, and it's just really big, uncomfortable, and I feel like I can't properly shut my mouth with it in. After much testing of the BBTs vs the regular thermometer (in mouth at same time, in mouth one after another) and found that they are NO more accurate than the $3 thermometer I picked-up at Target. So unless you really think having a hundredth count on your thermometer is a big deal, then I'd just stick with the regular, especially since you're going to TTC.

[fushigi-na-chou.livejournal.com]

(90 seconds is the same as 3 minutes ;) ).

Technically the BBT thermometers are more accurate, because they measure out further. Depending on your body, that hundredth degree shift could make all the difference in determine whether or not you've ovulated. Of course, your temperature change might be more drastic and more easily detectable on a regular thermometer, in which case a regular one works for you. Starting off though, I think it's recommended to use a BBT thermometer.

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

3 minutes is actually 180 seconds. 90 seconds is a minute and a half.

[fushigi-na-chou.livejournal.com]

Wow, you're right. 8D Now I feel dumb. Please excuse my dumbness. 8D;;;;

[devonrexlvr.livejournal.com]

Actually an extra number doesn't make it any more accurate. They're "supposed to be" accurate to +-.1 and would be regardless of if there were a hundredth or even a thousandth place. And regular thermometers are accurate to +-.2, but it doesn't mean that they're any less accurate the BBTs - and I've tested this with 2 BBTs and 3 regular thermometers and found I receive consistent readings with all of them as long as the batteries are good.
And if I remember correctly, when charting you're not supposed to round up based on the hundredth point, so if you have a jump of .19 you'd still count it as only .1.

[kimie-catclaw.livejournal.com]

My thermometer was advertised as a BBT thermometer and was with the other "family planning" supplies in the drug store, but it only read to one decimal place.

It worked just fine for me: in the cycles where I ovulated, I still observed a clear temperature shift. What was more important for me was being consistent (taking my temperature at the same time, using the same thermometer).

[oceansolitude.livejournal.com]

The problem is not with the added decimal place it is the accuracy. Regular fever thermometers are supposed to be accurate to within .3 degrees while a BBT is accurate to .1 It might work, but since the temp shift can be .5 or so, a pattern might not show up if one day is .3 low and another day .3 high. You could see if you get a pattern with the fever thermometer for a month, and if not get a BBT then.

[gatehorse.livejournal.com]

As long as you use the same thermometer at the same time every day, what you use shouldn't matter.

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

I used a regular fever thermometer without a problem. Since you already own one, I'd use that and see how it goes. If your chart doesn't look right, you can always buy a BBT thermometer later.

[kort-ni.livejournal.com]

yep. this. I had no problems using a regular thermometer to pinpoint O and if you did you could always buy a bbt therm after a cycle or 2.

[eatswithfork.livejournal.com]

I like this plan :) I think thats what I'll do. Thanks everyone!