1. The basal temperature before ovulation is slightly lower than the basal temperature after ovulation. After ovulation has occurred, the basal body temperature will rise approximately 0.5 degrees and stay in that temperature range until the next menstrual cycle begins.
2. The thermometer is designed only to help determine when ovulation has occurred. It will not warn you in advance like the in-home ovulation prediction kits do.
3. The most probable time that conception will occur is during the two to three days prior to the rise in basal temperature as well as the day of ovulation itself.
4. Cervical mucus observations can also be helpful in determining when ovulation has occurred. During ovulation, increases in estrogen levels prepares the uterus for pregnancy by causing the inner lining of the uterus to build lup. During the fertile period in a woman's life, the cervical mucus discharge which is necessary for fertility changes from a rather sticky substance to more fluid and copious, usually attaining a consistency similar to raw egg white.
Observation and subsequent notation of these changes in addition to the basal body temperature patterns will assist the patient's physician or counselor in providing the patient with suggestions as to what to do if she does not conceive in a few months.